#JustinsStairway2021: The 20 Greatest NBA Players of All Time

Hello!  And welcome to the inaugural edition of my Annual Top Basketball Players of All Time Rankings, now also known as #JustinsStairway

Some notes before we begin our climb of Basketball’s Mount Olympus. 

1.  This is just one fan’s opinion, and explicitly holds no more weight than anyone else’s.

2. I like to take a big picture approach to all of NBA history, not just the portion I’ve lived through personally. 

3.  I don’t like unnecessarily penalizing older players.  A player dominating whoever else is front of him counts for a lot, whether or not the 3-point shot is in play. 

4.  Winning matters.  The bigger the contribution to winning more games (and thus more championships) is the most important factor. 

5. 🐐  =/= 🚢 .  Greatest Of All Time does not equal Best Of All Time.   Best of All Time primarily relies on physical talent and exists in a vacuum (i.e. the impossible 1v1 prime matchup), while Greatest of all Time requires the context of the team game.  We’re strictly going after GOAT, not BOAT. 

6.  MVC = Most Valuable Champion.  It’s one outstanding player winning the regular-season League MVP award and then continuing through that post-season to win the title.  

From 1970 onward, a Finals MVP award is preferred but not required.  MVC is shorthand for wire-to-wire dominance from the start of the regular-season thru the end of the post-season. 

Throughout history, only 16 players have ever accomplished this feat even once. 

7.  There exists a class of player apart from the rest, as they are the rarest of the rare: The Chronological Basketball GOATs. 

So dominant and influential were each of these players on the court in their respective times, that when each one retired, they were proclaimed the greatest player to ever have played the game (to that point in history).  Unsurprisingly, all of them show up here. 

8.  Final note.  It bears repeating: every single player on here is considerably better at playing basketball than 99.9999% of everyone else in history.  They’re all worthy of praise. 

Alright, let’s begin our trek to the summit with the #20 spot.

Bronze rung of Justin’s Stairway

20. David Robinson 

Accolades:

• 2× NBA champion (1999, 2003),
• 1x League MVP (1995),
• 10× All-Star (1990–1996, 1998, 2000- 2001),
• 4× All-NBA 1st Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996)
• 1x DPOY (1992),
• 4× NBA All-Defensive 1st Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996),
• 1x scoring champion (1994),
• 1x rebounding leader (1991), 
• 1x blocks leader (1992),
• Career avg 21 ppg / 10+ rpg  / 3 bpg. 

Why he places this high: Quite possibly the best package of sheer size and athleticism since Wilt Chamberlain. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: Robinson couldn’t be the alpha on a championship team. One playoff series he was completely outplayed by another at the same position (Hakeem Olajuwon), generally lacked enough of a mean streak to corral loose cannons (Dennis Rodman), and was never the best player on either of his championship teams (Tim Duncan). 

Summary: Today’s perfect center who arrived 30 years too early. 

19. Oscar Robertson 

Accolades:

• 1x League champion (1971),
• 1x League MVP (1964),
• 12× All-Star (1961–1972),
• 9× All-NBA 1st Team (1961–1969),
• 6× assists leader (1961, 1962, 1964–1966, 1969),
• Career avg 25+ ppg / 7+ rpg / 9+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  Best playmaker ever until Magic Johnson came along. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:  Only one championship, wasn’t the best player on his own team (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). 

Summary: The Big O made triple-doubles an actual thing. 

18. Jerry West 

Accolades:

• 1x League champion (1972),
• 1x  Finals MVP (1969),
• 14× All-Star (1961–1974),
• 10× All-NBA 1st Team (1962–1967, 1970–1973),
• 4× All-Defensive 1st Team (1970–1973),
• 1x scoring champion (1970),
• 1x assists leader (1972),
• Career avg 27 ppg / 5+ rpg / 6+ apg. 

Why he places this high: the best all-around guard of the NBA’s first 40 years. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: his Finals record is 1-8 (the worst all-time for any NBA champion), only one championships, no League MVPs, wasn’t the clear-cut best player on his lone championship team (Wilt Chamberlain). 

Summary:  The Logo would have been so much more successful if he had come along even just a decade later. 

17. Kevin Garnett 

Accolades:

• 1x League champion (2008),
• 1x League MVP (2004),
• 15× NBA All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000–2011, 2013),
• 4× All-NBA 1st Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2008),
• 1x DPOY (2008),
• 9× All-Defensive 1st Team (2000–2005, 2008, 2009, 2011),
• 4× Rebounding champion (2004–2007),
• Career Avg 18+ ppg / 10+ rpg / 3+ apg. 

Why he places this high: brought unprecedented non-stop two-way versatility to the frontcourt positions. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: stuck in highest gear no matter what minor the games were (which left him no higher gear for playoff mode), wasn’t the clear-cut best performer on his lone championship team (Paul Pierce), was long plagued by the notion that he didn’t necessarily want the big shot in the closing moments of Big games. 

Summary: The Big Ticket was the most athletic power forward ever. 

16. Dirk Nowitzki 

Accolades:

• 1x League champion (2011),
• 1x Finals MVP (2011),
• 1x League MVP(2007),
• 14× NBA All-Star (2002  – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019),
• 4× All-NBA 1st Team (2005–2007, 2009),
• 1x member 50–40–90 club (2007),
• Career Avg 20+ ppg / 7+ rpg / 2+ apg. 

Why he places this high: Best shooting big man ever.  Transcendent on one side of the ball, peaked with the best modern post-season rogues gallery runthrough in 2011. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: Not transcendent on the other side of the ball, got bounced in a first round upset and then had to accept his League MVP award while no longer competing. 

Summary: The Big German is the greatest European player ever.

Silver rung of Justin’s Stairway

15. Kevin Durant 

Accolades

• 2× League champion (2017, 2018),
• 2× Finals MVP (2017, 2018),
• 1x League MVP (2014),
• 11× All-Star (2010–2019, 2021),
• 6× All-NBA 1st Team (2010–2014, 2018),
• 4× Scoring champion (2010–2012, 2014),
• 1x Member 50–40–90 club (2013),
• Career Average 29+ ppg / 7+ rpg / 4+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  Quite possibly the most unguardable scorer ever. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: He’s still active and his basketball story is still being written, the intangibles or lack thereof (became the poster child for anti-competitiveness by joining the Warriors, then left that seemingly perfect situation mainly because of his own bruised ego). 

Summary: The Slim Reaper would have scored easily in any era. 

14. Steph Curry 

Accolades:

• 3× League champion (2015, 2017, 2018)
• 2× League MVP (2015, 2016)
• 7× All-Star (2014–2019, 2021)
• 4× All-NBA 1st Team (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)
• 2× Scoring champion (2016, 2021)
• 1x Steals leader (2016)
• 1x Member 50–40–90 club (2016)
• Career Average 24+ ppg / 6+ apg / 4+ rpg. 

Why he places this high: Revolutionized the entire game by maximizing the value of a weighted shot (a.k.a. the 3-pointer) better than anyone before or since. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: He’s still active and his basketball story is still being written, weirdly gets upstaged all the time at the Finals by his own teammates. 

Summary: Chef is already the greatest shooter of all time. 

13.  Julius Erving 

Accolades:

• 1x NBA League champion (1983),
• 2× ABA League champion (1974, 1976),
• 2× ABA Playoffs MVP (1974, 1976),
• 1x NBA League MVP (1981),
• 3× ABA League MVP (1974–1976),
• 11× NBA All-Star (1977–1987),
• 5× ABA All-Star (1972–1976),
• 5× All-NBA First Team (1978, 1980–1983),
• 4× All-ABA First Team (1973–1976),
• Career avg 24+ ppg / 8+ rpg / 4+ apg. 

Why he places this high: Dominated one League (ABA) and then thrived in the other (NBA), while being the face of both leagues.  Had an MVC year (1973-74) while in the ABA. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: The 1970s were just a terrible time to peak as a pro basketball player. 

Summary: Doctor J was the face of the entire sport during the 1970s.

12. Kobe Bryant 

Accolades:

• 5× League champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
• 2× Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
• 1x League MVP (2008)
• 18× All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
• 11× All-NBA 1st Team (2002-2004, 2006-2013),
• 9× All-Defense 1st Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011),
• 2× Scoring champion (2006, 2007),
• Career Average 25 ppg / 5+ rpg / 4+ apg. 

Why he places this high: that overlapping combination of All-NBA 1st Teams and All-Defense 1st Teams, for starters. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:  Inefficiency.  And a tendency to drive off talented teammates and talented head coaches alike. 

Summary: The Black Mamba is still the second-greatest Shooting Guard Ever

11. Hakeem Olajuwon 

Accolades:

• 2× League champion (1994, 1995)
• 2× Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
• 1x League MVP (1994)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1985–1990, 1992–1997)
• 6× All-NBA 1st Team (1987 – 1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• 2× DPOY (1993, 1994)
• 5× All-Defense 1st Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
• 2× Rebounding leader (1989, 1990)
• 3× Blocks leader (1990, 1991, 1993)
• Career Average 21+ ppg / 11+ rpg / 3+ bpg 

Why he places this high: Quite possibly the most unreal blend of size, speed, and skill on both ends of the basket to ever hit the hardwood.  Had an MVC year (1993-94). 

Why he isn’t placed higher: Not enough championships, never got his team all the way to the Finals (in the then-bottom-heavy West) to face Jordan’s Bulls during the 1st threepeat. 

Summary: The Dream remains the most skilled center ever.

Gold rung of Justin’s Stairway

10. Wilt Chamberlain 

Accolades:

• 2× League champion (1967, 1972)
• 1x Finals MVP (1972)
• 4× League MVP (1960, 1966–1968)
• 13× All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973)
• 7× All-NBA 1st Team (1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
• 2× NBA All-Defense 1st Team (1972, 1973)
• 7× Scoring champion (1960–1966)
• 11× Rebounding champion (1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973)
• 1x Assist leader (1968)
• Career Average 30+ ppg / 22+ rpg / 4+ apg. 

Why he places this high: Wilt Chamberlain is the BOAT (Best Of All Time).  

He remains the most physically talented person to ever play the sport of basketball.  He was the strongest, fastest, and toughest of them all.  He is almost certainly it’s greatest athlete (basketball, volleyball, track).  His feats are legendary, on the court and off. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: BOAT =/= GOAT.  Basketball is a team game, and Wilt was far more suited to individualized competition.  Stuffed stats to a fault, didn’t loathe losing, didn’t elevate the play of his HOF teammates, not particularly coachable.  

For someone who was always galactically more talented than virtually everyone he ever  shared a court with, he got the underachiever tag for having only 2 championships. 

Summary: The Big Dipper is still the Paul Bunyan of Basketball.

9. Shaquille O’Neal 

Accolades:

• 4× League champion (2000–2002, 2006)
• 3× Finals MVP (2000–2002)
• 1x League MVP (2000)
• 15× All-Star (1993–1998, 2000–2007, 2009)
• 8× All-NBA 1st Team (1998, 2000–2006)
• 3× NBA All-Defense 2nd Team (2000, 2001, 2003)
• 2× NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)
• Career Average 23+ ppg / 10+ rpg / 2+ bpg. 

Why he places this high: Completely unstoppable at his apex (1999-2000 regular season and post-season, aka his MVC year).  So big, so heavy, so fast, so explosive, so …  quotable.  Coachable enough and able to blend his power game with a variety of guards (Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade).  Happy to be the face of the league.  Easily the most media-friendly superstar the NBA ever produced. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:  Didn’t work enough on his faults: particularly free throws and conditioning.  Could have been THE  greatest, instead of one of the greatest.  Played on too many different teams. 

Summary: The Big Diesel was so good for the sport of Basketball.

8. Tim Duncan 

Accolades:

• 5× League champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• 3× Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
• 2×  League MVP (2002, 2003)
• 15× All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015)
• 10× All-NBA 1st Team (1998–2005, 2007, 2013)
• 8× NBA All-Defense 1st Team (1999–2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
• Career Average 19 ppg / 10+ rpg / 3+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  The rock-solid fundamentals.  The two-way indestructibility.  The dependable reliability.  The excellent consistency.  The intangible leadership.  The bank shot.  The foundation of a dynasty that lasted so long but only as long as he was on the court.  

Why he isn’t placed higher:  No interest in being the face of the league nor the responsibility that would come with it.  No particularly flashy gameplay nor big media market push.  Not enough League MVPs. 

Summary: The Big Fundamental was the greatest Power Forward ever. 

7. Larry Bird 

Accolades:

• 3× League champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
• 2× Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
• 3× League MVP (1984–1986)
• 12× All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992)
• 9× All-NBA 1st Team (1980–1988)
• 3× All-Defensive 2nd Team (1982–1984)
• 2× Member 50–40–90 club (1987, 1988)
• Career Average 24+ ppg / 10 rpg / 6+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  one half of the equation that saved the NBA and took it to be heights in the 1980s.  Revitalized the Celtics and their rivalry with the Lakers.  Had not one, but TWO MVC years (1984, 1986).  Transcendent offense while sneaky-good at defense. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:  Having a rival that is in almost every way your equal makes GOAT hood more difficult.  Not enough championships.  Career cut short for medical reasons. 

Summary:  Larry Legend is the best Caucasian player ever. 

6. Magic Johnson 

Accolades:

• 5× League champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
• 3× Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 3× League MVP (1987, 1989, 1990)
• 9× All-NBA 1st Team (1983–1991)
• 4× Assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987)
• 2× Steals leader (1981, 1982)
• Career Average 19+ ppg / 7+ rpg / 11+ apg. 

Why he places this high: the other half of the equation that saved the NBA and took it to be heights in the 1980s.  Revitalized the Lakers and their rivalry with the Celtics.  Had an MVC year (1987).  Player of the Decade (1980s). 

Why he isn’t placed higher: Having a rival that is in almost every way your equal makes GOAT hood more difficult.  Had a teammate whose overall career dwarfed his own, which itself was cut short due to medical reasons. 

Summary: Magic Johnson is the greatest Point Guard Ever.

And we’ve finally arrived at the summit.  Approach The Thrones. 

Platinum Rung of Justin’s Stairway

5. George Mikan

Accolades:

• 5× BAA / NBA champion (1949, 1950, 1952–1954),
• 2× NBL champion (1947, 1948),
• 1x NBL Most Valuable Player (1948),
• 4× NBA All-Star (1951–1954),
• 6× All-BAA / All-NBA 1st Team (1949–1954),
• 2× All-NBL 1st Team (1947, 1948),
• 1x NBL Scoring champion (1948),
• 3× NBA Scoring champion (1949–1951),
• 1x NBA Rebounding leader (1953),
• Voted Greatest Basketball Player of the First Half-Century (1950),
• Career Average 22+ ppg / 13+ rpg / 2+ apg. 

Why he places this high: 

George Mikan remains the single most influential basketball player in history.  

He took the game created for mortal-sized humans and transformed it into the province of giants.  Every single post player from Pettit and Russell to Jokic and Giannis owes an enormous debt to George Mikan. 

Mikan rewrote the rule book for a sport completely unprepared for him, while winning 7 championships in 3 leagues (2 in the NBL, 1 in the BAA, 4 in the NBA).  So strong, so tough, so graceful, and so dominant was he that they ultimately had to implement the shot-clock and goal-tending as direct responses to his presence.  

Had TWO MVC years in the NBL (1947, 1948), and if the BAA/NBA had already invented their own MVP award by then, Mikan would likely have at least 3 more official MVC years there, for a total of 5. 

At his peak, Mikan was the sport’s biggest box office draw, its best offensive player, its best defensive player, and its most victorious player, all rolled into one.  It would be a very long time before anyone could make that claim again. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:

Mikan played so long ago (pre-shot clock and pre-goaltending), benefited from a largely segregated league. 

Summary: George Mikan is The First Chronological Basketball GOAT.

4. Bill Russell 

Accolades:

• 11× League champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
• 5× League MVP (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
• 3× All-NBA 1st Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
• 1x All-Defense 1st Team (1969)
• 4× Rebounding 
• champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)
• 2x League Champion as Player-Head Coach, 
• Voted Greatest Player of the NBA’s First 35 Years (1980),
• Career Average 15+ ppg / 22+ rpg / 4+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  

Bill Russell remains the greatest winner in basketball history.  He is the sport’s greatest defensive player ever, and it’s best leader on the court.  He also elevated the play of his teammates more than anyone else ever did. 

Bill Russell introduced the concept of defense as offense, precisely timing his blocks, deliberately deflecting them to a waiting teammate to ignite the unstoppable Celtic fast break.  Had FOUR MVC years (1959, 1961, 1962, 1963). 

Russell is arguably the game’s most intelligent and most important player. 

Why he isn’t placed higher:  

Russell was a 20p/20r guy in college, but in the pros he didn’t shoulder the offensive load night in and night out.  Freakishly athletic enough for today, but not as obvious exactly how his game would translate in the modern era. 

Summary: Bill Russell is The Second Chronological Basketball GOAT.

3. LeBron James 

Accolades:

• 4× League champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020),
• 4× Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020),
• 4× League MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013),
• 17× All-Star (2005–2021),
• 13× All-NBA 1st Team (2006, 2008–2018, 2020),
• 5× NBA All-Defense 1st Team (2009–2013),
• 1x Scoring champion (2008),
• 1x Assists leader (2020),
• Career Average 27 ppg / 7+ rpg / 7+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  

LeBron James is easily the best, greatest, and most influential player of the 21st century so far.  

His combination of basketball IQ, otherworldly athleticism, court vision, offense, defense, versatility, and longevity has never been seen before or since. 

Has had two MVC years (2012, 2013) so far. 

Nobody ever has enabled the empowerment of the professional athlete like LeBron has.  Nobody has ever led three different franchises to championships while being the best player on the court each time. 

Currently in Year 19 as an NBA starter. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: 

Lebron is still active and his basketball story is still being written.  His 6 losses in 10 Finals trips remains a sticking point for some.  

His peak (so far) isn’t clear-cut above the everyone else’s, but his inhuman longevity might make up the difference down the road. 

Summary: LeBron James is the Greatest Forward Ever (and barring unforseen circumstances, will likely become The Fifth Chronological Basketball GOAT upon his eventual retirement). 

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Accolades:

• 6x League champ (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988),
• 2x Finals MVP (1971, 1985),
• 6x League MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980),
• 19× All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989),
• 10× All-NBA 1st Team (1971–1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986),
• 5× NBA All-Defense 1st Team (1974, 1975, 1979 – 1981),
• 2x Scoring champion (1971, 1972),
• 1x Rebounding champion (1976),
• 4x Blocks leader (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980),
• All-time leading NBA scorer (38,387 points),
• Career Average 24+ ppg / 10+ rpg / 3+ apg. 

Why he places this high: Kareem remains the Greatest Center Ever.  

His career remains the gold standard in Longevity (20 years in the league as a starter, two Finals MVPs 14 years apart).  Set the career scoring record back in 1984 (37 years ago and counting) and then spent five more years just adding to it till he retired in 1989.  

Perpetually great on offense, solidly great on defense, never a liability at the free throw line, really coachable, and durable AF.  Possessed the most unstoppable move in the entire sport: the skyhook shot.  More League MVP awards than anyone.  Had two MVC years (1971, 1980). 

Why he isn’t placed higher: 

No interest in being the face of the league nor the responsibility that would come with it.  

No particularly flashy gameplay nor public charisma while at his peak in the 1970s.  Took a back seat to his own teammate (Magic Johnson) in the latter half of his career in the 1980s.  

Summary: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is The Third Chronological Basketball GOAT.

1. Michael Jordan 

Accolades:

• 6× League champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
• 6× Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
• 5× League MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
• 14× All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002, 2003)
• 10× All-NBA 1st Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
• 1x DPOY (1988)
• 9× All-Defense 1st Team (1988–1993, 1996–1998)
• 10× Scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
• 3× Steals leader (1988, 1990, 1993)
• All-time leading career scoring average,
• Career Average 30.1 ppg / 6+ rpg / 5+ apg. 

Why he places this high:  

At his peak, Michael Jordan was the sport’s biggest box office draw, its best offensive player, one of its best defensive players, and its most victorious player, all rolled into one: in this, MJ was the George Mikan of his day. 

He always shone brightest on the biggest stage.  Jordan was maniacally hyper-competitive, driven to win to a fault.  There were no holes in his game.  Had FOUR MVC years (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998). 

Jordan sold the sport of basketball to the rest of the world better than anyone ever before or since. 

Why he isn’t placed higher: 

Because he’s already at the very top of the mountain!  And also because there isn’t a 0th spot (and if there were, it’d be reserved for Dr. James Naismith anyway). 

Summary: Michael Jordan is The Fourth Chronological Basketball GOAT, and the current GOAT of GOATs. 

Justin’s Staircase 2021 Recap:

20. David Robinson
19.  Julius Erving
18. Oscar Robertson
17. Jerry West
16. Kevin Garnett 
15. Dirk Nowitzki 
14. Kevin Durant
13. Steph Curry
12. Kobe Bryant
11. Hakeem Olajuwon 
10. Wilt Chamberlain
9. Shaquille O’Neal
8. Tim Duncan
7. Larry Bird
6. Magic Johnson
5. George Mikan 
4. Bill Russell
3. LeBron James
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 
1. Michael Jordan

And this concludes the 2021 edition of  #JustinsStairway !  

I had a lot of fun doing this, and learned some new things along the way.  Next year’s edition, I’ll try to incorporate some actual analytics (no guarantees, tho). 

Hope y’all got some enjoyment out of it.  Peace!

#JustinsStairway2021