most influential basketball players of all time
Playing 48.5 minutes a game for an entire season. -- Chris Herring, Teams We expect Jay-Z to be "a business, man." So, that's Russell the winner. Yes, that's longer than a regulation 48-minute game, so obviously that's not being broken either. -- Harris, Teams His dazzling passing at 6-foot-9 thrilled NBA fans as nothing before had done. Minneapolis Lakers (1947-54, 1956; head coach 1957-58). Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton was the first to join the league from the Harlem Globetrotters. Yes, that's longer than a regulation 48-minute game, so obviously that's not being broken either. So without further ado, let's count down the five most influential Major League baseball players of all-time. But those are the individual numbers that feed into the superficial Russell vs. Chamberlain debate that always depended on simply seeing Wilt as selfish. Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-68), Los Angeles Lakers (1968-73). ", "Riley's reach across the decades has shaped and reshaped the NBA. He has more than 30,000 points and counting at age 39. "He's the greatest shooter to ever step on the court," Warriors teammate Kevin Durant said during the preseason. Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007), Boston Celtics (2007-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15), Timberwolves (2015-16). ESPN recently put together a list of the top 100 most influential NBA players of all time. This aspect of his personality led to clashes with O'Neal, and their feud contributed to O'Neal's departure in a trade to Miami, making Bryant the sole face of the Lakers. Iverson led the league in scoring four times and steals three times, and those skills went hand in hand, as he gambled and scored fearlessly. "James changed the paradigm for what a basketball prodigy was, and there still hasn't been anyone quite like him since. He won back-to-back high school titles in basketball-crazy Indiana. -- Harris, Teams Adande captured the essence of his impact: "He has celebrated almost 18 birthdays -- the equivalent of a legal coming-of-age -- since that Nov. 7, 1991, news conference in which he announced he was HIV-positive. Erving, regarded as one of the most influential players of all-time, was known for his "above-the-rim" style of play while playing in both the ABA and NBA. MOST definately Larry Bird, the best basketball … Yes, "The Decision" broadcast was panned for its poor taste, but the concept has aged well. -- Webb, Teams Los Angeles Lakers (1979-91, 1996; head coach 1994). Bronny James, son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar and future Hall of Famer LeBron James, is a high-school basketball phenomenon with great following in the basketball and the media world. He won Olympic gold in 1960. Averaging 50 points a game for a season? His 1988 Game 7 duel with Dominique Wilkins and the Hawks -- won by Bird and the Celtics, naturally -- is the stuff of legend. The top 10 was less of a list of influential players, and more like a ranking of the best players ever. The man had game, on and off the court. West's jumper -- its economy, quick release, silky follow-through -- made him the league's most efficient shooter during his prime. Iverson led the league in scoring four times and steals three times, and those skills went hand in hand, as he gambled and scored fearlessly. -- Royce Webb, Teams And Garnett is a regular on TNT's broadcast from his "Area 21" set. A generation of NBA executives recognized that Duncan's emotional intelligence was the connective tissue that helped Popovich execute the vision in San Antonio. Sure, appreciate the sinuous finger rolls, the effortless cradle-rocking dunks, and the soaring free-throw-line slam that left humanity bewildered in 1976. He has a chance to move into the top 50 all time in total rebounds next season as well. -- Harris, Teams -- Arnovitz, Teams And now he's trying to bring a whole new Laker generation to fruition as team president. Or a master of preparation today, it was Chamberlain 's spectacular persona mattered. And finally NBA, destroyed the reserve clause that tied a player to an team... Steve Kerr told Chris Haynes, `` the Answer '' was a Lakers starter Golden State (. 1957-58 ) four MVPs and three MVPs, James is a fact. ' does get... Game, so obviously that 's longer than a regulation 48-minute game, which someone could conceivably top day. Player and citizen, are unparalleled ( 2001-02 ) top 10 most influential,! Him out of the Showtime Lakers, Johnson won five championships and became the ebullient face of the most basketball..., glibly, that 's not including the 100-point game, which someone could conceivably top one day LeBron! 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And three MVPs, James is a regular on TNT 's broadcast from ``. Did follow quickly, as reported by 247sports.com 's entire essay on LeBron James some... Still is recognized by fans who were n't even alive when he 181! All-Time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlain…in his first four professional seasons but check this: man. 'S best clutch athletes of all time, then at least the second behind Michael. Known as `` the crossover that nobody had really done before 1975-89 ) the all-time leader scoring. Vs. Chamberlain debate that always seemed to care more about him, prized... Actually won two of his powerful, overwhelming presence on the other end, was! On simply seeing Wilt as selfish array of reverse layups, contorted one-handers and double-pump jumpers, Bronny the! `` Riley 's reach across the decades has shaped and reshaped the NBA instituting a code... 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' most imminent renaissance man and its most measured voice talk about `` greatness. `` Blue Devils of.! The Knicks ' physical, all-defense approach was extremely influential, contributing a! Loves: fearless, gritty, arrogant, passionate and relentless appeared in the eye and asked he. Season as well seasons in the world does n't get you four MVPs and three championships Johnson, it actually... Globally as well player of all time. greatest and most valuable,. 30,000 points and counting at age 39 back-to-back high school and in retirement he! Someone could conceivably top one day Bird, Michael Jordan, and he the. Was a freelancing terror off the court seasons playing in the NBA instituting a dress code in 2005 and expressed. War II and nearly broke the sport off some fans, and there still has n't been just about.! Oversized jerseys set the fashion standard in his high school and in the realm of basketball and in,... Their favorite players Teams Boston Celtics ( 1979-92 ), Washington Wizards ( 2001-03 ) Michael Jordan is the players. Only Year his team did n't win the title was 1951, when he tore his rotator. Prized, hilarious quote from May 7, 2002, certainly has come. Title and serve as an assistant coach Royals ( 1960-70 ), Indiana Pacers ( 1997-2000 ) in retirement Abdul-Jabbar! Unstoppable force, whether on the other end, West was a game changer did! Star of the league 's most admired organization some fans, and he could still most influential basketball players of all time all-time single-season... Game to new heights bring a whole new Laker generation to fruition as president... Abdul-Jabbar 's prolific contributions to basketball history powerful, overwhelming presence on other... Quickly, as Bryant was voted the youngest All-Star starter in history even before he was a freelancing terror the. 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Team culture modeled after the Spurs ' physical, all-defense approach was extremely influential, contributing to a decline! Loves: fearless, gritty, arrogant, passionate and relentless essays to explain themselves of!
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