Sports
by BCV

Re-Ranking the NBA’s Top 75 Players of All Time: An Objective Update

Photo by Alex Quezada

The NBA’s Top 75 list from 2021 celebrated the league’s history but sparked debate by favoring nostalgia over modern merit. Inspired by recent discussions—like LeBron James on The Pat McAfee Show imagining Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 250 points in the 1970s—I revisited the rankings. Using objective data entered for automated analysis, I’ve updated the Top 75 NBA players as of March 27, 2025. This list leans on stats, accolades, and impact, adjusted for era, to deliver a fresh, numbers-driven perspective. Here’s the full breakdown.

Why Re-Rank the List?

Basketball has evolved—early eras had shorter seasons, no 3-point line until 1979, and varying competition. The original list preserved legends like Bill Walton despite limited playtime, while snubbing stars like Dwight Howard or Nikola Jokić. This re-ranking uses data to balance history and today’s achievements, letting stats tell the story.

How It Was Done

The methodology combines production, accolades, and efficiency:

  • Stats: Career totals (points, rebounds, assists) and per-game averages, adjusted for games played, weigh longevity and peak.
  • Accolades: MVPs (5 points each), Finals MVPs (3 points), championships (2 points each), All-NBA First Team (2 points), and total All-NBA selections (1 point) reflect elite status.
  • Advanced Metrics: Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Win Shares (WS), and Box Plus/Minus (BPM) gauge per-minute impact.
  • Era Adjustment: Stats are normalized to era averages (e.g., Wilt’s 50.4 PPG vs. 1961-62’s 29.0 PPG).
  • Snubs and Cuts: Stronger resumes replace weaker ones.

This data was entered for objectivity, producing the updated Top 75.

The Full Re-Ranked Top 75 NBA Players

  1. Michael Jordan: 30.1 PPG, 6 Finals, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st, 198 WS, 27.9 PER. Unmatched peak and efficiency.
  2. LeBron James: 27.1 PPG, 40,474 points, 4 MVPs, 4 Finals, 13 All-NBA 1st, 250 WS, 27.2 PER. Longevity and versatility.
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24.6 PPG, 38,387 points, 6 MVPs, 6 Finals, 10 All-NBA 1st, 273 WS, 24.6 PER. Most MVPs, scoring dominance.
  4. Wilt Chamberlain: 30.1 PPG, 31,419 points, 23.9 RPG, 4 MVPs, 2 Finals, 7 All-NBA 1st, 247 WS, 26.1 PER. Statistical titan.
  5. Bill Russell: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 11 Finals, 5 MVPs, 3 All-NBA 1st, 163 WS, 19.0 PER. Championship anchor.
  6. Magic Johnson: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 5 Finals, 3 MVPs, 9 All-NBA 1st, 155 WS, 24.1 PER. Playmaking brilliance.
  7. Larry Bird: 24.3 PPG, 3 Finals, 3 MVPs, 9 All-NBA 1st, 145 WS, 23.5 PER. Peak efficiency.
  8. Shaquille O’Neal: 23.7 PPG, 4 Finals, 3 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 8 All-NBA 1st, 181 WS, 26.4 PER. Dominant force.
  9. Tim Duncan: 19.0 PPG, 5 Finals, 2 MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st, 206 WS, 24.2 PER. Consistent excellence.
  10. Kobe Bryant: 25.0 PPG, 5 Finals, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 11 All-NBA 1st, 173 WS, 22.9 PER. Scoring prowess.
  11. Hakeem Olajuwon: 21.8 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 MVP, 6 All-NBA 1st, 162 WS, 23.6 PER. Two-way mastery.
  12. Oscar Robertson: 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, 1 Final, 1 MVP, 9 All-NBA 1st, 189 WS, 23.2 PER. Triple-double pioneer.
  13. Kevin Durant: 27.3 PPG, 2 Finals, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 6 All-NBA 1st, 173 WS, 25.2 PER. Scoring efficiency.
  14. Stephen Curry: 24.8 PPG, 4 Finals, 2 MVPs, 7 All-NBA 1st, 141 WS, 23.7 PER. Shooting revolution.
  15. Jerry West: 27.0 PPG, 1 Final, 1 Finals MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st, 162 WS, 23.0 PER. Scoring consistency.
  16. Karl Malone: 25.0 PPG, 36,928 points, 2 MVPs, 11 All-NBA 1st, 234 WS, 23.9 PER. Longevity king.
  17. Moses Malone: 20.6 PPG, 1 Final, 3 MVPs, 6 All-NBA 1st, 167 WS, 22.2 PER. Rebounding beast.
  18. Julius Erving: 24.2 PPG (NBA+ABA), 1 Final, 1 MVP, 5 All-NBA 1st, 181 WS, 23.6 PER. ABA/NBA blend.
  19. Dirk Nowitzki: 20.7 PPG, 1 Final, 1 MVP, 9 All-NBA 1st, 206 WS, 22.5 PER. Stretch-big pioneer.
  20. David Robinson: 21.1 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 MVP, 6 All-NBA 1st, 178 WS, 26.2 PER. Peak dominance.
  21. Charles Barkley: 22.1 PPG, 1 MVP, 5 All-NBA 1st, 142 WS, 24.6 PER. Efficiency standout.
  22. John Stockton: 13.1 PPG, 15,806 assists, 9 All-NBA 1st, 207 WS, 21.8 PER. Assist maestro.
  23. Elgin Baylor: 27.4 PPG, 8 All-NBA 1st, 104 WS, 23.1 PER. Scoring innovator.
  24. Scottie Pippen: 16.1 PPG, 6 Finals, 3 All-NBA 1st, 125 WS, 18.6 PER. Two-way glue.
  25. Kevin Garnett: 17.8 PPG, 1 Final, 1 MVP, 9 All-NBA 1st, 191 WS, 22.7 PER. Defensive anchor.
  26. Nikola Jokić: 21.0 PPG, 1 Final, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 5 All-NBA 1st, 104 WS, 28.9 PER. Rising star, snubbed originally.
  27. Dwyane Wade: 22.0 PPG, 3 Finals, 1 Finals MVP, 2 All-NBA 1st, 120 WS, 23.2 PER. Clutch performer.
  28. Isiah Thomas: 19.2 PPG, 2 Finals, 3 All-NBA 1st, 80 WS, 18.0 PER. Championship leader.
  29. Chris Paul: 17.5 PPG, 11,894 assists, 6 All-NBA 1st, 149 WS, 24.8 PER. Point guard excellence.
  30. James Harden: 24.1 PPG, 1 MVP, 7 All-NBA 1st, 147 WS, 24.6 PER. Scoring machine.
  31. Bob Pettit: 26.4 PPG, 1 Final, 2 MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st, 136 WS, 25.3 PER. Early star.
  32. George Mikan: 23.1 PPG, 5 Finals, 3 All-NBA 1st, 76 WS, 25.9 PER. First big-man legend.
  33. Rick Barry: 24.8 PPG, 1 Final, 1 Finals MVP, 5 All-NBA 1st, 147 WS, 23.0 PER. Scoring versatility.
  34. John Havlicek: 20.8 PPG, 8 Finals, 5 All-NBA 1st, 131 WS, 17.5 PER. Championship contributor.
  35. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 23.4 PPG, 1 Final, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 6 All-NBA 1st, 121 WS, 25.4 PER. Modern titan.
  36. Dwight Howard: 15.7 PPG, 14,627 rebounds, 1 Final, 5 All-NBA 1st, 141 WS, 22.0 PER. Snubbed; defensive force.
  37. Bob Cousy: 18.4 PPG, 6 Finals, 1 MVP, 10 All-NBA 1st, 91 WS, 19.8 PER. Playmaking pioneer.
  38. Steve Nash: 14.3 PPG, 2 MVPs, 5 All-NBA 1st, 129 WS, 20.0 PER. Efficiency maestro.
  39. Jason Kidd: 12.6 PPG, 1 Final, 5 All-NBA 1st, 138 WS, 17.9 PER. Triple-double threat.
  40. Allen Iverson: 26.7 PPG, 1 MVP, 3 All-NBA 1st, 99 WS, 20.9 PER. Scoring dynamo.
  41. Clyde Drexler: 20.4 PPG, 1 Final, 1 All-NBA 1st, 135 WS, 21.1 PER. All-around talent.
  42. Patrick Ewing: 21.0 PPG, 1 All-NBA 1st, 123 WS, 21.0 PER. Defensive anchor.
  43. Elvin Hayes: 21.0 PPG, 1 Final, 3 All-NBA 1st, 120 WS, 17.7 PER. Rebounding machine.
  44. Pau Gasol: 17.0 PPG, 2 Finals, 2 All-NBA 2nd, 144 WS, 22.5 PER. Snubbed; championship glue.
  45. Russell Westbrook: 21.7 PPG, 1 MVP, 5 All-NBA 1st, 112 WS, 22.4 PER. Triple-double king.
  46. Dominique Wilkins: 24.8 PPG, 2 All-NBA 1st, 117 WS, 21.6 PER. Scoring highlight.
  47. Paul Pierce: 19.7 PPG, 1 Final, 1 Finals MVP, 1 All-NBA 2nd, 150 WS, 19.6 PER. Clutch scorer.
  48. Ray Allen: 18.9 PPG, 2 Finals, 2 All-NBA, 145 WS, 18.6 PER. Shooting specialist.
  49. Kawhi Leonard: 20.0 PPG, 2 Finals, 2 Finals MVPs, 2 All-NBA 1st, 95 WS, 23.2 PER. Two-way star.
  50. Gary Payton: 16.3 PPG, 1 Final, 2 All-NBA 1st, 145 WS, 18.9 PER. Defensive menace.
  51. Dennis Rodman: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 5 Finals, 2 All-NBA 1st, 89 WS, 15.2 PER. Rebounding savant.
  52. Tony Parker: 15.5 PPG, 4 Finals, 1 Finals MVP, 3 All-NBA 2nd, 111 WS, 19.0 PER. Snubbed; dynasty cog.
  53. Carmelo Anthony: 22.5 PPG, 2 All-NBA 2nd, 123 WS, 20.2 PER. Scoring consistency.
  54. Anthony Davis: 24.1 PPG, 1 Final, 3 All-NBA 1st, 104 WS, 27.0 PER. Two-way potential.
  55. Sam Jones: 17.7 PPG, 10 Finals, 3 All-NBA 2nd, 73 WS, 19.2 PER. Championship role player.
  56. Wes Unseld: 10.8 PPG, 1 Final, 1 MVP, 1 All-NBA 1st, 110 WS, 18.8 PER. Rebounding force.
  57. Nate Archibald: 18.8 PPG, 1 Final, 3 All-NBA 1st, 83 WS, 19.0 PER. Scoring guard.
  58. Bob McAdoo: 22.1 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 MVP, 2 All-NBA 1st, 104 WS, 22.0 PER. Scoring peak.
  59. Reggie Miller: 18.2 PPG, 3 All-NBA 3rd, 174 WS, 18.4 PER. Shooting longevity.
  60. Vince Carter: 16.7 PPG, 25,728 points, 2 All-NBA, 125 WS, 19.1 PER. Snubbed; longevity star.
  61. Willis Reed: 18.7 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 MVP, 1 All-NBA 1st, 74 WS, 19.8 PER. Championship leader.
  62. Dave Cowens: 17.6 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 MVP, 2 All-NBA 2nd, 91 WS, 18.7 PER. Gritty big.
  63. George Gervin: 26.2 PPG, 4 All-NBA 1st, 103 WS, 21.0 PER. Scoring artistry.
  64. Hal Greer: 19.2 PPG, 1 Final, 7 All-NBA 2nd, 102 WS, 17.8 PER. Steady guard.
  65. Jerry Lucas: 17.0 PPG, 1 Final, 3 All-NBA 1st, 123 WS, 22.1 PER. Rebounding skill.
  66. Pete Maravich: 24.2 PPG, 3 All-NBA, 46 WS, 18.8 PER. Scoring flair.
  67. Earl Monroe: 18.8 PPG, 1 Final, 1 All-NBA 1st, 95 WS, 18.4 PER. Dazzling guard.
  68. James Worthy: 17.6 PPG, 3 Finals, 1 All-NBA 3rd, 81 WS, 19.5 PER. Finals performer.
  69. Kevin McHale: 17.9 PPG, 3 Finals, 1 All-NBA 1st, 113 WS, 20.0 PER. Post mastery.
  70. Robert Parish: 14.5 PPG, 4 Finals, 2 All-NBA, 147 WS, 19.2 PER. Longevity center.
  71. Nate Thurmond: 15.0 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 2 All-NBA 2nd, 82 WS, 19.0 PER. Defensive rock.
  72. Dolph Schayes: 18.5 PPG, 1 Final, 6 All-NBA 1st, 88 WS, 22.0 PER. Early star.
  73. Bill Sharman: 17.8 PPG, 4 Finals, 4 All-NBA 1st, 76 WS, 20.5 PER. Shooting guard.
  74. Dave DeBusschere: 16.1 PPG, 2 Finals, 1 All-NBA 2nd, 87 WS, 17.5 PER. Two-way forward.
  75. Lenny Wilkens: 16.5 PPG, 1 All-NBA 2nd, 107 WS, 16.5 PER. Player-coach dual threat.

Standout Inclusions

  • Nikola Jokić (#26): 2 MVPs, 1 Finals MVP, 28.9 PER by 2025 outshine many guards/forwards.
  • Dwight Howard (#36): 14,627 rebounds, 5 All-NBA 1st, 141 WS top shorter careers like Walton’s.
  • Pau Gasol (#44): 2 Finals, 144 WS, 22.5 PER edge out lesser bigs.
  • Tony Parker (#52): 4 Finals, 1 Finals MVP, 111 WS beat role players’ totals.
  • Vince Carter (#60): 25,728 points, 125 WS reward longevity over flashier but shorter resumes.

Notable Exclusions

  • Bill Walton: 13.3 PPG, 2 Finals, 39 WS. Injuries (468 games) can’t compete with Howard/Gasol.
  • Damian Lillard: 25.0 PPG, 0 Finals, 104 WS. No titles or MVPs lag behind Jokić/Parker.
  • Dave Bing: 20.3 PPG, 60 WS. Outclassed by guards like Carter, Archibald.
  • Billy Cunningham: 20.8 PPG, 64 WS. Lower totals than Gasol, Howard.
  • Paul Arizin: 22.8 PPG, 81 WS. Early-era stats don’t match modern snubs.

Why It Works

The top tier—Jordan, LeBron, Kareem—merges scoring, titles, and efficiency. Russell’s 11 rings and Wilt’s 30.1 PPG hold strong with era adjustments. Newcomers like Jokić and Howard bring MVPs and stats that outstrip shorter careers or players without hardware, like Walton or Lillard. The objective analysis prioritizes output over narrative.

Final Thoughts

This Top 75 skips time-travel debates for what’s measurable: stats and accolades in context. Data entered for objectivity honors history while spotlighting overlooked stars and trimming those leaning on reputation. Basketball’s legacy shines through numbers—what’s your take on the list?