50 Greatest Players in NBA History

The 50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History (also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team or NBA's Top 50) were chosen in 1996 to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). These fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former players and coaches, and current and former general managers. In addition, the top ten head coaches and top ten single-season teams in NBA history were selected by media members as part of the celebration.[1] The fifty players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position played.

The list was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern on October 29, 1996, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, the former site of the Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed on June 6, 1946. The announcement marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the league's anniversary.[1] Forty-seven of the fifty players were later assembled in Cleveland, Ohio, during the halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game.[1] Three players were absent: Pete Maravich, who had died in 1988, at forty;[2] Shaquille O'Neal, who was recovering from a knee injury; and Jerry West, who was scheduled to have surgery for an ear infection and could not fly.[3] At the time of the announcement, eleven players were active. O'Neal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season.[4]

Contents

Players selected

Selection process

The list was compiled through unranked voting completed by fifty selected panelists. Sixteen of the panelists were former players voting in their roles as players, thirteen were members of the print and broadcast news media, and twenty-one were team representatives: contemporary and former general managers, head coaches, and executives. Of the last group, thirteen were former NBA players. Players were prohibited from voting for themselves. Only three voting veterans (Bill Bradley, Johnny Kerr, and Bob Lanier) were not selected to the team.

Voters

* Denotes voter who was selected to the 50 Greatest Players list
Voter category As categorized by the NBA
Name Voter category
Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* Player
Albert, MarvMarv Albert Media member
Attles, AlAl Attles Team
Auerbach, RedRed Auerbach Team
Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* Team
Bing, DaveDave Bing* Player
Bird, LarryLarry Bird* Team
Blake, MartyMarty Blake Team
Blinebury, FranFran Blinebury Media member
Bradley, BillBill Bradley Player
Brown, HubieHubie Brown Team
Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* Player
Chortkoff, MitchMitch Chortkoff Media member
Cousy, BobBob Cousy* Player
Cunningham, BillyBilly Cunningham* Team
Daly, ChuckChuck Daly Team
DuPree, DavidDavid DuPree Media member
Embry, WayneWayne Embry Team
Erving, JuliusJulius Erving* Player
Gilmartin, JoeJoe Gilmartin Media member
Goldaper, SamSam Goldaper Media member
Hannum, AlexAlex Hannum Team
Harrison, LesterLester Harrison Team
Havlicek, JohnJohn Havlicek* Player
Hearn, ChickChick Hearn Media member
Holzman, RedRed Holzman Team
Jasner, PhilPhil Jasner Media member
Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson* Player
Kerr, JohnnyJohnny Kerr Player
Koppett, LeonardLeonard Koppett Media member
Lanier, BobBob Lanier Player
Layden, FrankFrank Layden Team
Lewin, LeonardLeonard Lewin Media member
McCallum, JackJack McCallum Media member
McGuire, DickDick McGuire Team
Mikan, GeorgeGeorge Mikan* Player
Pettit, BobBob Pettit* Player
Pollack, HarveyHarvey Pollack Team
Ramsay, JackJack Ramsay Team
Reed, WillisWillis Reed* Team
Robertson, OscarOscar Robertson* Player
Russell, BillBill Russell* Player
Ryan, BobBob Ryan Media member
Schayes, DolphDolph Schayes* Player
Sharman, BillBill Sharman* Player
Shue, GeneGene Shue Team
Thomas, IsiahIsiah Thomas* Team
Unseld, WesWes Unseld* Team
Vecsey, PeterPeter Vecsey Media member
West, JerryJerry West* Team

List

Eleven players (Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton) were active in the 1996–97 season, during which the team was announced. O'Neal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season. All of the selected players except O'Neal have, as of 2011, been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Under current Hall of Fame rules, a player must be retired for five years before becoming eligible for election and induction as a player; therefore, O'Neal will not be eligible until the induction class of 2017. Lenny Wilkens was the only member of the players list to have been selected as a member of the coaches list.

Italics Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction
* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
All Star Denotes number of All-Star appearances
Year Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction
G Guard F Forward C Center
Pos Position Pts Points Reb Rebounds
Ast Assists MVP Most Valuable Player

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2010–11 season, the last in which any player on the 50 Greatest list was active.

Name Team(s) played for (years)[a] Pos Pts Reb Ast Championships won[b] MVP won Finals MVP won AllStar Year Ref.
Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)		 C 38,387 17,440 5,660 &10000000000000006000000 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) &10000000000000006000000 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1971, 1985) 19 1995 [5]
Archibald, NateNate Archibald* Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City Kings (1970–1976)
New York Nets (1976–1977)
Boston Celtics (1978–1983)
Milwaukee Bucks (1983–1984)		 G 16,481 2,046 6,476 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1981) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 6 1991 [6]
Arizin, PaulPaul Arizin* Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1962) F/G 16,266 6,129 1,665 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1956) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 10 1978 [7]
Barkley, CharlesCharles Barkley* Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		 F 23,757 12,546 4,215 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1993) &10000000000000000000000 None 11 2006 [8]
Barry, RickRick Barry* San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1965–1967, 1972–1978)
Houston Rockets (1978–1980)		 F 18,395 5,168 4,017 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1975) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1975) 8 1987 [9]
Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (1958–1971) F 23,149 11,463 3,650 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 11 1977 [10]
Bing, DaveDave Bing* Detroit Pistons (1966–1975)
Washington Bullets (1975–1977)
Boston Celtics (1977–1978)		 G 18,327 3,420 5,397 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1990 [11]
Bird, LarryLarry Bird* Boston Celtics (1979–1992) F 21,791 8,974 5,695 &10000000000000003000000 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) &10000000000000003000000 3 (1984, 1985, 1986) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1984, 1986) 12 1998 [12]
Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)		 C 31,419 23,924 4,643 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1967, 1972) &10000000000000004000000 4 (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1972) 13 1979 [13]
Cousy, BobBob Cousy* Boston Celtics (1950–1963)
Cincinnati Royals (1969–1970)		 G 16,960 4,786 6,955 &10000000000000006000000 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1957) &10000000000000000000000 None 13 1971 [14]
Cowens, DaveDave Cowens* Boston Celtics (1970–1980)
Milwaukee Bucks (1982–1983)		 C/F 13,516 10,444 2,910 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1974, 1976) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1973) &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1991 [15]
Cunningham, BillyBilly Cunningham* Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1972)
Philadelphia 76ers (1974–1976)		 F/C 13,626 6,638 2,625 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1967, 1983) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 4 1986 [16]
DeBusschere, DaveDave DeBusschere* Detroit Pistons (1962–1968)
New York Knicks (1968–1974)		 F/G 14,053 9,618 2,497 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1970, 1973) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 8 1983 [17]
Drexler, ClydeClyde Drexler* Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		 G/F 22,195 6,677 6,125 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1995) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 10 2004 [18]
Erving, JuliusJulius Erving* Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987) F/G 18,364 5,601 3,224 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1983) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1981) &10000000000000000000000 None 11 1993 [19]
Ewing, PatrickPatrick Ewing* New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002)		 C/F 24,815 11,607 2,215 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 11 2008 [20]
Frazier, WaltWalt Frazier* New York Knicks (1967–1977)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1977–1980)		 G 15,581 4,830 5,040 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1970, 1973) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1987 [21]
Gervin, GeorgeGeorge Gervin* San Antonio Spurs (1976–1985)
Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)		 G/F 20,708 3,607 2,214 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 9 1996 [22]
Greer, HalHal Greer* Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973) G/F 21,586 5,665 4,540 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1967) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 10 1982 [23]
Havlicek, JohnJohn Havlicek* Boston Celtics (1962–1978) F/G 26,395 8,007 6,114 &10000000000000008000000 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1974) 13 1984 [24]
Hayes, ElvinElvin Hayes* San Diego / Houston Rockets (1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1972–1981)		 F/C 27,313 16,279 2,398 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1978) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 12 1990 [25]
Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson* Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) G/F 17,707 6,559 10,141 &10000000000000005000000 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) &10000000000000003000000 3 (1987, 1989, 1990) &10000000000000003000000 3 (1980, 1982, 1987) 12 2002 [26]
Jones, SamSam Jones* Boston Celtics (1957–1969) G/F 15,411 4,305 2,209 &10000000000000010000000 10 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 5 1984 [27]
Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		 G/F 32,292 6,672 5,633 &10000000000000006000000 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) &10000000000000005000000 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) &10000000000000006000000 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) 14 2009 [28]
Lucas, JerryJerry Lucas* Cincinnati Royals (1963–1969)
San Francisco Warriors (1969–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1974)		 F/C 14,053 12,942 2,732 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1973) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1980 [29]
Malone, KarlKarl Malone* Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		 F 36,928 14,968 5,248 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000002000000 2 (1997, 1999) &10000000000000000000000 None 14 2010 [30]
Malone, MosesMoses Malone* Buffalo Braves (1976)
Houston Rockets (1976–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)		 C/F 27,409 16,212 1,796 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1983) &10000000000000003000000 3 (1979, 1982, 1983) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1983) 12 2001 [31]
Maravich, PetePete Maravich* Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
New Orleans / Utah Jazz (1974–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980)		 G 15,948 2,747 3,563 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 5 1987 [32]
McHale, KevinKevin McHale* Boston Celtics (1980–1993) F/C 17,335 7,122 1,670 &10000000000000003000000 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1999 [33]
Mikan, GeorgeGeorge Mikan* Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1956) C 10,156 4,167 1,245 &10000000000000005000000 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 4 1959 [34]
Monroe, EarlEarl Monroe* Baltimore Bullets (1967–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1980)		 G 17,454 2,796 3,594 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1973) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 4 1990 [35]
Olajuwon, HakeemHakeem Olajuwon* Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		 C 26,946 13,748 3,058 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1994, 1995) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1994) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1994, 1995) 12 2008 [36]
OnealShaquille O'Neal Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)		 C 28,596 13,099 3,026 &10000000000000004000000 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) &10000000000000001000000 1 (2000) &10000000000000003000000 3 (2000, 2001, 2002) 15 &10000000000000000000000 — [37]
Parish, RobertRobert Parish* Golden State Warriors (1976–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)		 C 23,334 14,715 2,180 &10000000000000004000000 4 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 9 2003 [38]
Pettit, BobBob Pettit* Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) F/C 20,880 12,849 2,369 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1958) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1956, 1959) &10000000000000000000000 None 11 1971 [39]
Pippen, ScottieScottie Pippen* Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1998–1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003)		 F/G 18,940 7,494 6,135 &10000000000000006000000 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 2010 [40]
Reed, WillisWillis Reed* New York Knicks (1964–1974) C/F 12,183 8,414 1,186 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1970, 1973) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1970) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1970, 1973) 7 1982 [41]
Robertson, OscarOscar Robertson* Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974)		 G/F 26,710 7,804 9,887 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1971) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1964) &10000000000000000000000 None 12 1980 [42]
Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson* San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003) C 20,790 10,497 2,441 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1999, 2003) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1995) &10000000000000000000000 None 10 2009 [43]
Russell, BillBill Russell* Boston Celtics (1956–1969) C 14,522 21,620 4,100 &10000000000000011000000 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) &10000000000000005000000 5 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) &10000000000000000000000 None 12 1975 [44]
Schayes, DolphDolph Schayes* Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1949–1964) F/C 18,438 11,256 3,072 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1955) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 12 1973 [45]
Sharman, BillBill Sharman* Washington Capitols (1950–1951)
Boston Celtics (1951–1961)		 G 12,665 2,779 2,101 &10000000000000004000000 4 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 8 1976 [46]
Stockton, JohnJohn Stockton* Utah Jazz (1984–2003) G 19,711 4,051 15,806 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 10 2009 [47]
Thomas, IsiahIsiah Thomas* Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) G 18,822 3,478 9,061 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1989, 1990) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1990) 12 2000 [48]
Thurmond, NateNate Thurmond* San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1963–1974)
Chicago Bulls (1974–1975)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1975–1977)		 C/F 14,437 14,464 2,575 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 7 1985 [49]
Unseld, WesWes Unseld* Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1968–1981) C/F 10,624 13,769 3,822 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1978) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1969) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1978) 5 1988 [50]
Walton, BillBill Walton* Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)
San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1979–1985)
Boston Celtics (1985–1987)		 C/F 6,215 4,923 1,590 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1977, 1986) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1978) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1977) 2 1993 [51]
West, JerryJerry West* Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974) G/F 25,192 5,366 6,238 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1972) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1969) 14 1980 [52]
Wilkens, LennyLenny Wilkens* St. Louis Hawks (1960−1968)
Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1972)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1972–1974)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975)		 G 17,772 5,030 7,211 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1979) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000000000000 None 9 1989 [53]
Worthy, JamesJames Worthy* Los Angeles Lakers (1982–1994) F 16,320 4,708 2,791 &10000000000000003000000 3 (1985, 1987, 1988) &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000001000000 1 (1988) 7 2003 [54]

Top 10 Coaches in NBA History

Alongside the selection of the 50 greatest players, was the selection of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. All 10 coaches named were alive at the time of the list's announcement, and four of them—Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, and Lenny Wilkens—were then active. Three have since died: Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, and Chuck Daly in 2009. Jackson was the last of the ten to coach in the NBA; he announced his retirement after the 2010–11 season. Nelson was the only member to have never won a championship as a coach, even though he won five as a player. Wilkens was the only member of the coaches list to have been selected as a member of the players list.

^ Denotes coach who is still active
* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
*^ Active coach who has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
Year Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction
Coach Team(s) coached (years)[a] Coaching record Championships won as coach[b] Coach of the Year award(s) won Year Ref.
Auerbach, RedRed Auerbach* Washington Capitols (1946–1949)
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
Boston Celtics (1950–1965)		 &10000000000000000662000 938–479 (.662) &10000000000000009000000 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1965) 1969 [55]
Daly, ChuckChuck Daly* Cleveland Cavaliers (1982)
Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
Orlando Magic (1997–1999)		 &10000000000000000598000 564–379 (.598)
638–437 (.593)[c]		 &10000000000000002000000 2 (1989, 1990) &10000000000000000000000 None 1994 [56]
Fitch, BillBill Fitch Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)
Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)		 &10000000000000000460000 944–1106 (.460) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1981) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1976, 1980) &10000000000000000000000 — [57]
Holzman, RedRed Holzman* Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1956)
New York Knicks (1967–1982)		 &10000000000000000535000 696–604 (.535) &10000000000000002000000 2 (1970, 1973) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1970) 1986 [58]
Jackson, PhilPhil Jackson* Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)		 &10000000000000000721000 414–160 (.721)
1155–485 (.704)[c]		 &10000000000000011000000 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1996) 2007 [59]
Kundla, JohnJohn Kundla* Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1959) &10000000000000000583000 423–302 (.583) &10000000000000005000000 5 (1949 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) &10000000000000000000000 None 1995 [60]
Nelson, DonDon Nelson Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)
Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
New York Knicks (1995–1996)
Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)		 &10000000000000000575000 851–629 (.575)
1335–1063 (.557)[c]		 &10000000000000000000000 None &10000000000000003000000 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) &10000000000000000000000 — [61]
Ramsay, JackJack Ramsay* Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1972)
Buffalo Braves (1972–1976)
Portland Trail Blazers (1976–1986)
Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)		 &10000000000000000525000 864–783 (.525) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1977) &10000000000000000000000 None 1992 [62]
Riley, PatPat Riley* Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)
New York Knicks (1991–1995)
Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)		 &10000000000000000702000 798–339 (.702)
1210–694 (.636)[c]		 &10000000000000005000000 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) &10000000000000003000000 3 (1990, 1993, 1997) 2008 [63]
Wilkens, LennyLenny Wilkens* Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993)
Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2003)
New York Knicks (2004–2005)		 &10000000000000000544000 1014–850 (.544)
1332–1155 (.536)[c]		 &10000000000000001000000 1 (1979) &10000000000000001000000 1 (1994) 1998 [64]

Top 10 Teams in NBA History

Also included in the NBA's 50th-anniversary celebration was the selection of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. Teams were chosen from among all single-season individual teams. Each team won the NBA championship, and they combined to average 66 wins per season. The 1995–96 Chicago Bulls had the best single-season record in NBA history with 72 wins.

Six out of the thirty NBA franchises (twenty-nine franchises at the time of announcement) had a team named to the list; the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers had two teams selected.

Six players were on the roster of two teams on the list—Wilt Chamberlain with the 1966–67 Sixers and 1971–72 Lakers; James Edwards, Dennis Rodman, and John Salley with the 1988–89 Pistons and 1995–96 Bulls; and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the Bulls in both 1991–92 and 1995–96. Three other individuals both played for and coached honored teams, all of whom completed this "double" with a single franchise—K. C. Jones with the Celtics as a player in 1964–65 and coach in 1985–86, Billy Cunningham with the Sixers as a player in 1966–67 and coach in 1982–83, and Pat Riley with the Lakers as a player in 1971–72 and coach in 1986–87. Phil Jackson, head coach of the Bulls from 1989 to 1998, was the only man to coach two teams that made the list. Although Jackson was under contract to the Knicks as a player in 1969–70, he did not play that season as he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery.[65]

Players whose names are italicized were inducted after the announcement of the ten best teams.

Season Team Record Playoffs
result		 Roster and head coach Players in the
Hall of Fame		 Players on the
50 Greatest Players list		 Ref.
1964–65 Boston Celtics &10000000000000000775000 62–18 (.775) Won 1965 Finals Ron Bonham, Mel Counts, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, Willie Naulls, Bevo Nordmann, Bill Russell, Tom Sanders, Larry Siegfried, John Thompson, Gerry Ward, coach Red Auerbach[d] &10000000000000005000000 5 (K. Jones, S. Jones, Heinsohn, Russell, Havlicek)[e] &10000000000000003000000 3 (S. Jones, Russell, Havlicek) [66]
1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers &10000000000000000840000 68–13 (.840) Won 1967 Finals Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Costello, Billy Cunningham, Dave Gambee, Hal Greer, Matt Guokas, Luke Jackson, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Chet Walker, Bob Weiss, coach Alex Hannum[d] &10000000000000003000000 3 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham) &10000000000000003000000 3 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham) [67]
1969–70 New York Knicks &10000000000000000732000 60–22 (.732) Won 1970 Finals Dick Barnett, Nate Bowman, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Bill Hosket, Don May, Willis Reed, Mike Riordan, Cazzie Russell, Dave Stallworth, John Warren, coach Red Holzman[d] &10000000000000004000000 4 (Frazier, Bradley, DeBusschere, Reed) &10000000000000003000000 3 (Frazier, DeBusschere, Reed) [68]
1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers &10000000000000000841000 69–13 (.841) Won 1972 Finals Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Cleamons, LeRoy Ellis, Keith Erickson, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jim McMillian, Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, John Trapp, Jerry West, coach Bill Sharman[d] &10000000000000004000000 4 (Goodrich, West, Chamberlain, Baylor[f]) &10000000000000003000000 3 (West, Chamberlain, Baylor) [69]
1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers &10000000000000000793000 65–17 (.793) Won 1983 Finals J. J. Anderson, Maurice Cheeks, Earl Cureton, Franklin Edwards, Julius Erving, Marc Iavaroni, Clemon Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, Mark McNamara, Clint Richardson, Russ Schoene, Andrew Toney, coach Billy Cunningham &10000000000000002000000 2 (Erving, Malone) &10000000000000002000000 2 (Erving, Malone) [70]
1985–86 Boston Celtics &10000000000000000817000 67–15 (.817) Won 1986 Finals Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Rick Carlisle, Dennis Johnson, Greg Kite, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Jerry Sichting, David Thirdkill, Sam Vincent, Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Sly Williams, coach K. C. Jones &10000000000000005000000 5 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton, Johnson) &10000000000000004000000 4 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton) [71]
1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers &10000000000000000793000 65–17 (.793) Won 1987 Finals Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Adrian Branch, Frank Brickowski, Michael Cooper, A. C. Green, Magic Johnson, Wes Matthews, Kurt Rambis, Mike Smrek, Byron Scott, Billy Thompson, Mychal Thompson, James Worthy, coach Pat Riley[d] &10000000000000003000000 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar) &10000000000000003000000 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar) [72]
1988–89 Detroit Pistons &10000000000000000768000 63–19 (.768) Won 1989 Finals Mark Aguirre, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins, Fennis Dembo, Joe Dumars, James Edwards, Steve Harris, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, John Long, Rick Mahorn, Pace Mannion, Dennis Rodman, Jim Rowinski, John Salley, Isiah Thomas, Micheal Williams, coach Chuck Daly[d] &10000000000000004000000 4 (Thomas, Dumars, Dantley, Rodman) &10000000000000001000000 1 (Thomas) [73]
1991–92 Chicago Bulls &10000000000000000817000 67–15 (.817) Won 1992 Finals B. J. Armstrong, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Bob Hansen, Craig Hodges, Dennis Hopson, Michael Jordan, Stacey King, Cliff Levingston, Chuck Nevitt, John Paxson, Will Perdue, Scottie Pippen, Mark Randall, Rory Sparrow, Scott Williams, coach Phil Jackson[d] &10000000000000002000000 2 (Jordan, Pippen) &10000000000000002000000 2 (Jordan, Pippen) [74]
1995–96 Chicago Bulls &10000000000000000878000 72–10 (.878) Won 1996 Finals Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, Jack Haley, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Toni Kukoč, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Wennington, coach Phil Jackson[d] &10000000000000003000000 3 (Jordan, Pippen, Rodman) &10000000000000002000000 2 (Jordan, Pippen) [75]

See also

Notes

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c "The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html. Retrieved August 30, 2009. 
  2. ^ Rogers, Thomas (January 6, 1988). "Pete Maravich, a Hall of Famer Who Set Basketball Marks, Dies". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/06/obituaries/pete-maravich-a-hall-of-famer-who-set-basketball-marks-dies.html. Retrieved September 13, 2009. 
  3. ^ Banks, Lacy (February 10, 1997). "Real dream team steals show". Chicago Sun-Times: p. 96. 
  4. ^ MacMullan, Jackie (June 1, 2011). "Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement". ESPNBoston.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6615886. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  6. ^ "Nate Archibald". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/architi01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  7. ^ "Paul Arizin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arizipa01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  8. ^ "Charles Barkley". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barklch01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  9. ^ "Rick Barry". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barryri01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  10. ^ "Elgin Baylor". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bayloel01.html. Retrieved June 16, 2009. 
  11. ^ "Dave Bing". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bingda01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  12. ^ "Larry Bird". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  13. ^ "Wilt Chamberlain". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambwi01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  14. ^ "Bob Cousy". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cousybo01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  15. ^ "Dave Cowens". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cowenda01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  16. ^ "Billy Cunningham". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cunnibi01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  17. ^ "Dave DeBusschere". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/debusda01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  18. ^ "Clyde Drexler". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/drexlcl01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  19. ^ "Julius Erving". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Patrick Ewing". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ewingpa01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  21. ^ "Walt Frazier". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fraziwa01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  22. ^ "George Gervin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gervige01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  23. ^ "Hal Greer". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greerha01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  24. ^ "John Havlicek". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/havlijo01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  25. ^ "Elvin Hayes". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hayesel01.html. Retrieved August 7, 2009. 
  26. ^ "Magic Johnson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  27. ^ "Sam Jones". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonessa01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  28. ^ "Michael Jordan". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01.html. Retrieved August 11, 2009. 
  29. ^ "Jerry Lucas". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lucasje01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  30. ^ "Karl Malone". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  31. ^ "Moses Malone". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  32. ^ "Pete Maravich". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maravpe01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  33. ^ "Kevin McHale". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mchalke01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  34. ^ "George Mikan". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mikange01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  35. ^ "Earl Monroe". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monroea01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  36. ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olajuha01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  37. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html. Retrieved January 9, 2011. 
  38. ^ "Robert Parish". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parisro01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  39. ^ "Bob Pettit". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pettibo01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  40. ^ "Scottie Pippen". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pippesc01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  41. ^ "Willis Reed". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reedwi01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  42. ^ "Oscar Robertson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberos01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  43. ^ "David Robinson". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinda01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  44. ^ "Bill Russell". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russebi01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  45. ^ "Dolph Schayes". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schaydo01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  46. ^ "Bill Sharman". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sharmbi01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  47. ^ "John Stockton". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/stockjo01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  48. ^ "Isiah Thomas". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thomais01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  49. ^ "Nate Thurmond". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thurmna01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  50. ^ "Wes Unseld". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/u/unselwe01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  51. ^ "Bill Walton". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  52. ^ "Jerry West". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westje01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  53. ^ "Lenny Wilkens". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wilkele01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  54. ^ "James Worthy". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/worthja01.html. Retrieved August 28, 2009. 
  55. ^ "Red Auerbach Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/auerbre99c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  56. ^ "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/dalych99c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  57. ^ "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/fitchbi99c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  58. ^ "Red Holzman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/holzmre01c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  59. ^ "Phil Jackson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/jacksph01c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  60. ^ "John Kundla Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/kundljo99c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  61. ^ "Don Nelson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/nelsodo01c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  62. ^ "Jack Ramsay Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ramsaja99c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  63. ^ "Pat Riley Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/rileypa01c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  64. ^ "Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/wilkele01c.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009. 
  65. ^ Lawrence, Mitch (February 27, 2010). "Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson amazes Knick legends with his hoops longevity". Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/02/27/2010-02-27_lawrence_phil_amazes_knick_legends_with_longevity.html. Retrieved March 29, 2010. 
  66. ^ "1964–65 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1965.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  67. ^ "1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1967.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  68. ^ "1969–70 New York Knicks Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1970.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  69. ^ "1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1972.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  70. ^ "1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1983.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  71. ^ "1985–86 Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1986.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  72. ^ "1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1987.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  73. ^ "1988–89 Detroit Pistons Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1989.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  74. ^ "1991–92 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1992.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  75. ^ "1995–96 Chicago Bulls Roster and Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1996.html. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 
  76. ^ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2011 - Mullin, Rodman, Gilmore and VanDerveer Headline Distinguished Group" (Press release). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. April 4, 2011. http://www.hoophall.com/news/2011/4/4/naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-of-fame-announces-class-of.html. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
  77. ^ "Elgin Baylor Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/players/baylor_bio.html. Retrieved September 20, 2009. 

External links

National Basketball Association's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
NBA Anniversary Teams
NBA 25th Anniversary Team · NBA 35th Anniversary Team · NBA 50 Greatest Players (50th Anniversary Team)
Category · Basketball Portal · 2011–2012 season