A few days ago Basketball legend, Michael Jordan announced that he’d be a father again at the age of 50, after marrying his Cuban American model, Yvette Prieto back in April. The couple married in an extravagant wedding in Palm Beach Florida. Over 300 guest attended including Hollywood favorites Robin Thicke, Usher, Tiger woods and best friend Scottie Pippen. This new addition to the family with be Jordan’s 4th child after having 3 in his previous marriage to Juanita Venoy. Jordan has two sons, Jeffery Michael, 20, Marcus James, 22 and one daughter Jasmine, 19.
Hearing this news made think back to Michael’s days as an NBA Player and the possibility that this 4th child could be the reincarnation of MJ. But until the baby is born we can only dream and reminisce of some the best players that ever graced the NBA. Here is a top ten list of the greatest NBA players that ever played the game we call Basketball.
10. Hakeem Olajuwon
Career Stats: 21.8 PPG, 11.10 RPG, 3.09 BPG
Career Playoff Stats: 25.9 PPG, 11.20 RPG, 3.29 BPG
Honors: NBA Champion (1994,’95), Finals MVP (1994,’95), NBA MVP (1994), Olympic gold medalist (1996)
Regarded as one of the most Skilled big man of the NBA Hakeem Olajuwon made his stamp on history during his 18 year run. Born in Nigeria Olajuwon was drafted in 1984 and was selected first overall by the Houston Rockets. During his career Olajuwon tortured many of his opponents with his signature move the “Dream Shake.” Olajuwon’s game is so televised that NBA superstars, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have sought his guidance on how to improve their game offensively and defensively. Not only was Olajuwon skilled as a big man but he was also one of the greatest defenders that ever played totaling with a career of 3.09 BPG. Olajuwon was also the only NBA Player to win MVP in the Regular Season, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year (1994).
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Career Stats: 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG
Career Playoff Stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG
Honors: NBA CHAMPION(2000-02, 2006), Finals MVP( 2000-02), NBA MVP (2000),
Shaquille O’Neal was the most dominate player during his time as an NBA Player and the fact that he was 7ft tall and over 300 pounds did not help people either. It was brutal how O’Neal may defenders with his big body. O’Neal also lead his team the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA Champions. O’Neal also was the 3rd player to win a MVP of a regular season, Finals MVP and All Star MVP. Shaq is also know for his humor and breaking the backboard on a hoop. Shaquille O’Neal is now a NBA commentator and his own segment called Shaqtin a Fool.
8. Tim Duncan
Career Stats: 20.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG
Career Playoff Stats: 21.9 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Honors: NBA Champion( 1999,2003,2005,2007), Finals MVP( 1999,2003,2005) MVP (2002, 03), Rookie of the year (1998)
The media does not give Tim Duncan enough credit for his consistency and stability in the NBA. He is the model for solid NBA player. When look at Tim Duncan’s career is consistency has been evident and you won’t find many variations. But the only time people think about Tim Duncan is when the playoffs coming, shunning his great IQ of basketball during the regular season. Not only is Tim Duncan a 4 time NBA Champion but this 16 year old veteran but also a 3 times Finals MVP. Tim Duncan also MVP of the regular season in 2002 and 2003 and was Rookie of the year in 2000.
7. Kobe Bryant
Career Stats: 25.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, .5 BPG
Career Playoff Stats: 25.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG
Honors: NBA Champion( 2000-02, 2009-10), Finals MVP( 2009-10), MVP( 2008) , NBA Scoring Champion (2006-07)
When you talk about the NBA is hard to forget the Black Mamba. Making his stamp on NBA history. During his first years of the NBA Bryant came off the bench filling in for point guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. During that time the L.A Lakers were going through rough period but that did stop Bryant from progressing being the youngest NBA player to make the NBA All star team. The arrival of Phil Jackson increased Bryant’s chances of an NBA Champion, which he won three years in a row. Under Jackson’s leadership Bryant’s offensive game improved becoming the scoring Champion twice. Bryant is often referred to his Michael Jordan replica for the infamous tongue of out your mouth pic. Not Bryant is chasing his sixth as he comes down to the end of his era.
6. Wilt Chamberlain
Career Stats: 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG
Career Playoff Stats: 22.5 PPG, 24,5 RPG, 4.2 APG
Honors: NBA Champion (1967, ’72) Finals MVP (1972), MVP (1960, ’66,’67,’68) , Basketball Hall of Fame (1978)
When you hear of Wilt Chamberlain all you think of is dominate and 100 points. On March 2, 1962 Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks, unfortunately there is no footage of this game. But the fact that he scored that many points made him legend. Players like Shaq would have never been possible without Chamberlain paving the way for the big man era. Being 7 ft 1 and 275 pounds Wilt Chamberlain dominated the game in 60’s and 70’s when racism was still infiltrating the sports world. In the 1962-62 season will dominate averaging 50 points a game with more than 20 rebounds a game. Wilt accomplished more things than any big man in NBA history and still holds records til this day.
5. Lebron James
Career Stats: 27.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.9 APG
Career Playoff Stats: 28.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 6. 7 APG
Honors: NBA Champion (2012,’13), Finals MVP (2012,’13), MVP (2009,’10, ’12,’13), Rookie of the Year (2004), All Star MVP (2006,2008)
Only 28 Lebron James is already an Elite player in the game of Basketball. Entering the game of Basketball James was met with high expectations being called King James before he left high school. James was met with adversary with dealing with the media, fans and critics. But through all that adversity James has found a way to succeed. Pick 1st overall in the 2004 NBA Daft by the Cleveland Cavaliers James has gone on to win back to back championships with the Miami Heat, won 4 MVPs being the fifth player to win 4 MVPs in NBA. The Stats speak for itself for James and now he is chasing history.
4. Larry Bird
Career Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10 RPG, 6.3 APG
Career Playoff Stats: 23.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.5 APG
Honors: NBA Champion ( 1981, ’84,’86), Finals MVP ( 1984,’86), MVP (1984,’85,’86) Hall of Fame (1998), Rookie of the Year (1980)
One of the greatest players that ever played the Game, Larry Bird was that guy. He wasn’t the most athletic but he was the most dominant. 6th overall pick in the 1978 draft by the Boston Celtics, the 13-year veteran never gave up on play. Bird had one of the best basketball IQ’s with his deadly jump shot. Bird led the Celtics to 3 NBA Champions along with 2 Finals MVP. Bird was remembered for the tug and war between him and Magic Johnson and also for his strength and no nonsense attitude.
3. Magic Johnson
Career Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG
Career Playoff Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 12.3 APG
Honors: NBA Champion (1980,’82,’85, ’87,’88), Finals MVP (1980,’82,’87), MVP (1987, ’89-90)
Magic Johnson the best point guard in the history of the NBA. Winning his first MVP as a rookie is 1980 Magic’s Talent spoke for himself. 1st overall in the 1979 draft Magic Johnson helped an L.A win five championships with him as their leader. He set records in NBA history that til this day cannot not be broken like the 12.3 assist in one single playoff game. Even though his career ended early many NBA ‘s imitate his moves today.
2. Michael Jordan
Career Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG
Career Playoff Stats: 33.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.3 APG
Honors: NBA Champion( 1991-93, 1996-98), Finals MVP (1991-93, 1996-98), MVP (1988,1991-92,1996,’98), Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
Michael Jordan is widely known as the greatest basketball to ever played and even though he comes runner to one, Jordan is one of the greatest players that ever played the game of basketball. He changed the game and revolutionized it bringing in more audiences ranging from young and old. Jordan had back to back to back championship having several 3peats. 5 MVPS and 6 MVP finals. In 1988 he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and the NBA’s scoring title. And though some many players have come close to surpassing MJ his record still remains.
1.Bill Russell
Career Stats:
Career Playoff Stats:
Honors: NBA Champion (1957, 1959-1966,1968-1969), MVP (1958, 1961-1963), NBA Rebounding Champion ( 1957-1959)
11 time NBA Champion; Bill Russell is the greatest that ever played. Russell is also the greatest defender the NBA as ever seen. People sometimes wonder where did the “Celtic Pride” come from, while the answer is Bill Russell. Leading the Celtics to 11 NBA championships Bill Russell is the most decorated NBA player of all time. Even though offensively Russell was not the greatest the player defensively he dominated games and made players around better. Russell paved the way for people like MJ and Magic so that they could play this league. Civil rights activists and a hard worker. Without Bill Russell the NBA might have been what it is today.
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