It's official: The 10 best NBA players of all time (unofficially, of course)

September 16, 7:43 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Rick Barry: He's underrated among the greats of game

For the hundredth or so time in my life, I found myself in a basketball argument/discussion the other day.

This one was about the 10 best players in NBA history.

My buddy suggested that Julius Erving belongs on that list. Of course, that’s ridiculous, but it got me to thinking about making the definitive list.

Or at least definitive in my own mind.

So here it is: The (unofficial) official list of the 10 greatest players of all-time. Sorry, Doc.

One caveat, and I’ll admit it makes this easier: No active players. In alphabetical order:
 

Sorry, Doc, this top-10 club is exclusive, and you can't get in

♦ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, six-time MVP and six-time NBA championship winner. No-brainer.

♦ Rick Barry: Perhaps the most underrated superstar the game has ever known. Barry was a prolific offensive basketball player, and he can stack right up there with the Magics, Birds and Jordans in terms of overall game.

He could be unstoppable as a scorer and was on the same plane as Magic and Bird when it came to being a clever and creative passer. Few players could match Barry’s combination of talent and intensity.

♦ Elgin Baylor: He is the only player on this list without an NBA championship. But his numbers are too overwhelming to overlook. Three consecutive seasons averaging over 34 points per game and in two of those seasons he averaged more than 18 rebounds per game.

Baylor was a 10-time All-NBA first-teamer and still holds the record for most points (61) in a playoff game.

♦ Larry Bird: Three NBA titles; three consecutive MVPs; one of the greatest passing big men of all time. Why waste more space?

♦ Wilt Chamberlain: C’mon.

♦ Magic Johnson: Along with Bird, he revolutionized the game. The greatest combination of flair and fundamentals.

♦ Michael Jordan: Fair or not, Jordan seems to be getting the “greatest player of all-time” label. That merits further discussion, but he's still an easy Top 10.

♦ Oscar Robertson: The averaging of the triple-double in 1961-62 is obviously remarkable. But nobody talks about the fact that Robertson had four other near misses. That’s right, four.

There were four other years in which Robertson almost averaged a triple-double. In two of those seasons he missed because he averaged “only” 9.7 and 9.5 assists per game. In the other two seasons he missed because he “only” averaged 9.9 and 9.0 rebounds per game.

♦ Bill Russell: Basketball’s greatest winner.

♦ Jerry West: His scoring, rebounding and assist numbers are impeccable. And then he’s got the complete resume on top of it: Member of a championship team and an NBA Finals MVP (interestingly, not in the same year); All-NBA first team 10 times; All-Defensive first team four times.
 

Tim Duncan: He'll replace somebody someday

IN THE DISCUSSION: Elvin Hayes, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bob Pettit.

ACTIVE PLAYERS WHO COULD BREAK THROUGH: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal.

NOT IN THE VICINITY: Bob Cousy, Julius Erving, George Mikan, David Robinson, Bill Walton.