who is the best all around basketball player of all time?
144728
MJ, i don't mean Michael Jordan who I believe is the greatest player of all time but not the most all around\n\nMagic Johnson is the most versatile player I've ever seen.\nHe can play center, which he did as well as point guard.  He can score and dish and post up.  Wow.
386004
Well, right now LeBron James is the best in the NBA. But, the best player ever is the one and only MJ. But I wouldn't be surprised to see LBJ pass Jordan up.\n\nI LOVE BASKETBALL TOO!
848808
I'd have to say Ray Allen.  There are a lot of other great shooters from the past such as Larry Bird, Walter Davis, Reggie Miller, Rick Barry, Isiah Thomas, Kevin Johnson, Jim Paxson, John Stockton, etc.  And even now, Michael Redd, J.J. Redick, Richard Hamilton, Allan Houston, Kyle Korver, etc.  I've watched all of em', but Ray Allen has the "purest shot".  If you just watch him, his shot just looks so easy.  His release is perfect and fairly quick.  And looking at it, it just looks so natural, a thing of beauty.  Not only does his shot look nice, but he has one of the highest FG%'s.  Ray Allen, the "purest" shooter in nba history.
20115
Dominique Wilkins is the best dunker
389627
Best player is LBJ. The best dunker officially is Nate Robinson. But other than that...look at what VC has done. Thrown the ball of the shot clock in a game. People are scared to do that in a dunk compitition
65461
The word 'best' is not a very descriptive one. It all depends on your defintion of best. If your definition is a fast, physical, endurance game, then the answer would be basketball. If you defintion is a short burst, strength and energy, thinking game, the baseball would be the answer. The best all around basketball player is Kevin Garnett and the best all around baseball player is Alex Rodriguez.
422668
Me personally I would go with Michael Jordan, you know MJ thats right He had it all, stlye, calm under pressure, the ability to pass, which most rising stars fail to do, and most of all he loved the game.  He renovated the game for the Kobe's and the LeBron's.  For that there is no equal!
395653
Wilt Chamberlain because he was unstoppable and 100 points, nobody else is ever going to get that again.\n\nBill Russell-8 championships in a row and 11 in 13 years, Micheal Jordan didn't even come close to that.\n\nMicheal Jordan-The Bulls would've never even come close to the NBA Finals if it wasn't for him.\n\nMagic Johnson-He could play all the positions and helped lead the Lakers to a championship in his first year and he beat Dr. J.\n\nShaquille O'Neal-He is so unstoppable. Name one player in the NBA that can stop when he's not in foul trouble.
1090764
Best NBA player past:  Michael Jordan.\n\nBest NBA player currently:  Kobe Bryant.\n\nBest NBA player future:  Lebron James.
28534
Michael Jordan, no doubt about it. in every catagory basketball has, michael jordan is at least top ten(exept for the worst catagories)
1085485
Bill Russell\n\nHe was total domination both offensively and defensively. Shaq and Kareem were scoring machines but not as great of defenders.  Wilt was a great shot blocker and scorer, but only a close second to Russell.
196419
Wilt Chamberlin is definatley one of the best along with Kareem, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and maybe Isaih Thomas.  Also many people are forgetting about Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, and Pistol Pete.  30 years from now names like Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade will be around.  Shaq is one of the best if not best centers to play the game also.
269824
To answer this question correctly, the key phrase is "good chemistry."  To achieve this, you need 4 "go-to-guys" surrounded by other "role players" and athletic big men.  Here are my 12:\n\n1. Lebron James -- Hands down the best all-around player in the league.  He's a no-brainer.\n2. Kobe Bryant -- Another excellent scorer off the dribble with the ability to defend the perimeter.\n3. Dwayne Wade -- Once again, he can just flat out score the basketball and defend.\n4. Allen Iverson -- He might be everyone else's favorite pick, but he's turned into quite the team player these past few years.\n5. Chauncey Billups -- Great floor leader with the ability to keep stars under control\n6. Shawn Marion -- Excellent rebounder and defender with the ability to guard four positions on the court\n7. Amare Stoudemire -- Perhaps the most dominate player in the paint when healthy\n8. Dwight Howard -- Freak of nature who can rebound and defend perimeter post players\n9. Chris Bosh -- Similar to Howard with a great mid-range game\n10. Michael Redd -- Shooters were needed the last time the USA entered international competition\n11. J.J. Redick -- One more shooter.  It's tough to include him on this list, but he's the best I've ever seen.\n12. Greg Oden -- Still in high school, but he gives the US one more athletic big man.  I know I'll take criticism for the fact that he's not proven yet, but if the NBA didn't change their rule, he'd be an NBA player next year.\n\nSo there it is... the last two picks are questionable, as they could be filled with NBA veterans.  However, I feel that this young squad gives the United States the best chance at victory.
16316
That depends if you're asking all-time or still in the league right now. All-time is Michael Jordan without a doubt. Dude averaged 30.1 ppg, 6.20 rpg (1.60 off 4.70 def), 5.3 apg, and 2.3 spg. And that's regular season stats. In the playoffs he had 33.4 ppg, 6.40 rpg (1.70 off 4.70 def), 5.7 apg, and 2.1 spg. But that's all-time. Playing in the NBA right now im'a have to go with Kobe Bryant (and I know alot of you don't like him, but the guy is amazing). He's averaging 22.6 ppg on career (27.7 in the last 6 seasons), 5.1 rpg (1.3 off 3.8 def), 4.5 apg, and 1.44 spg. Plus the guys only 27, and I don't think the numbers have anywhere else to go but up. He's an all around player ON court, but he's no Michael Jordan. MJ would've made sure Shaq stayed there with him in LA, and that's something that he can't be doing anymore. Another guy to watch is LBJ, dudes gonna be one of the best all arounds by the end of his career, too.
172446
Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson all come to mind.  However, I think you can argue that the best player is one that not only scores points, but also does other things that make his team and teammates better.  Therefore, I think Oscar the big "O" Robertson deserves this honor.  He is the only player to average a triple-double in a single year.  He is one of the top scoring guards of all time, having put up 26,710 points in his career.  Oh, and he was a 12-time All Star.
605602
All-time:\n\nPG - Earvin "Magic" Johnson\nSG - Michael Jordan\nSF - Charles Barkley\nPF - Karl Malone\nC - Shaquille O'Neal\n\nPresent:\n\nPG - Steve Nash\nSG - Kobe Bryant\nSF - LeBron James\nPF - Dirk Nowitzki\nC - Shaquille O'Neal
467018
It has to be Reggie Miller. All time leader in three point field goals made, one of the greatest three point shooters ever. Not to mention the uncountable times he has drained clutch threes to win or tie the match for the Pacers, including that unforgettable game at Madison Square Garden. As a pure shooter, even with a hand in his face, Miller was ace.