The five best players in basketball history are???  Why?
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.
583622
Top 25 as of 2006:\n\n1. Kobe Bryant\n2. Kevin Garnett\n3. LeBron James\n4. Shawn Marion\n5. Elton Brand\n6. Dirk Nowitzki\n7. Dwyane Wade\n8. Allen Iverson  \n9. Yao Ming  \n10. Chris Bosh\n11. Paul Pierce\n12. Gilbert Arenas\n13. Steve Nash\n14. Pau Gasol\n15. Tim Duncan\n16. Marcus Camby\n17. Andrei Kirilenko\n18. Jermaine O'Neal\n19. Chris Webber\n20. Lamar Odom\n21. Jason Kidd\n22. Dwight Howard\n23. Chris Paul\n24. Ray Allen\n25. Carmelo Anthony\n\nI can't list all time. I didn't watch most of them play.
995018
You ask who is the most talented, i would have to say Shawn Marion, forward for the Pheonix suns. I say this for the simple fact that this guy does everything, he scores, he rebounds like a person who is 7 foot tall and he is only 6'7. He can also hit the three consistantely, and can finish at the rim with an exclamation dunk, or a nice finger role, or his patented tear drop floater(no one does it better than him). Also, he plays every minute of every game, no matter if he is injured or not. I truly believe, if any team were to trade for him, he would automatically become a starter, whether it be dallas, san antonio, or detroit, this guy is amazing and a treat to watch. They say Elton Brand is the most underrated player in the league, I think this guy is, Shawn Marion brings a swagger, and a balance to the game. And also how he had stepped up this season in Amare's absence was nothing short of splendiferous. Theres my arguement, second place is Lebron James and his mean face.
162033
1. Reggie Miller\n2. Roger Brown\n3. Rick Carlisle (Coach)\n4. Jermaine O'Neal\n5. Dale Davis (When he was in his prime)
464628
There has been many good point guards over the years, but the best ever, in my humble opinion, is Magic Johnson.  He revolutionized the position by proving that someone 6-9 could do more than just rebound.  His totally unselfish play led the Lakers to the promised land several times.  John Stockton owns the record for most assists, but I give Magic the edge because of the championships.
435578
John Stockton...\nHe is the league's all time leader in assists and steals, he did such a good job of running the team, and scored points very effciently with a silky stroke from outside.\nHe was the best point guard ever in the NBA.\nIf Jordan had not won all those championships he would certainly have won a couple.
429793
The best Draft Class ever in the history of the NBA has got to be 1996.  This includes 2 NBA MVPS and 8 all-stars.  8 ALL STARS!  Tell me another draft class that has 8 all-stars.  Not to mention, there are over 20 players that are still in the league after nearly 10 seasons - demonstrates the quality of these players.  Here are some of the biggest names in basketball today:\n\nKobe Bryant - all-star\nAllen Iverson - MVP, all-star\nSteve Nash - MVP, all-star\nRay Allen - all-star\nJermaine O'Neal - all-star\nPeja Stojakovic - all-star\nZydrunas Ilgauskas - all-star\nAntoine Walker - all-star\nMarcus Camby \nStephon Marbury\nShareef Abdur-Rahim\nDerek Fisher\nJeff McInnis\nShandon Anderson\nMalik Rose\nErick Dampier\nWalter McCarty\nLorenzen Wright\nKerry Kittles\nSamaki Walker\nOthella Harrington\nMoochie Norris
205715
Joseph,  this question is asked every week here and the best answer is always the first person who agrees with the asker.  This is kind of old, but I will answer the same way every time:\n\nWilt Chamberlin.  He holds more records than anyone in NBA history and with his scoring and shot blocking, he'd kill Jordan in a one on one any day -- so long as it was a 1/2 court game.  Wilt still holds the most points scored in a single game -- 100 points.  And who do you think Kobe past up in order to get 2nd place?  Wilt Chamberlin.\n\nWilt was better than Bill Russel, but Russel played for the Celtics, the best team of that era.  Wilt was basically a one man team who consistantly got his team to the playoffs only to be eliminated by the Celtics.
485398
At this point, Michael Jordan is the best player basketball has ever seen.  He was a consistent scorer, a crowd pleaser and incredible in the clutch...\n\nNo one has even matched that...
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
393710
Tough question, fun, but tough.  I'll limit my answer to players I've actually seen play, either via ESPN Classic, or during my lifetime.\n\n1st Team\nF - Larry Bird (lifetime)\nF - Karl Malone (lifetime)\nC - Wilt Chamberlain (ESPN Classic)\nG - Michael Jordan (lifetime)\nG - Magic Johnson (lifetime)\n\n2nd Team\nF - Charles Barkley (lifetime)\nF - Julius Erving (ESPN Classic)\nC - Hakeem Olajuwon (lifetime)\nG - Pete Maravich (ESPN Classic)\nG - John Stockton (lifetime)\n\nWhat the hey, I'll go ahead and list my personal all-time favorite starting 5 squad as well:\n\nF - Dominique Wilkins\nF - Kevin McHale\nC - David Robinson\nG - Clyde Drexler\nG - Mark Jackson
1028019
No doubt! San Antonio Spurs & Robert Horry!\nThe Spurs because they compete as a "team" on a good-sportsmanship level that rarely gives in to heated moments. They set the standard by which all teams should be measured.\nRobert Horry because when all the "big guns" were retiring, (taking their loot & quitting), Big Shot Rob continued to give back to the fans & is still a major contributor to the excitement of the game, becoming one of the most winningest players in history. His accomplishments may only be second to the fact that he is the most respected player, past or present, in the eyes of most NBA greats, are nows or has beens!
241945
The best white player of all time would have to be Mr. Larry Bird. The best player EVER would have to be Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan was the most dominant player the NBA had ever seen. Jordan has set the bar so high for players like, LeBron, Anthony, and Kobe that they might never be able to reach it.\n\nMichael Jordan was SO good that the whole NBA could be considered overrated talent compared to him. Jordan is what hype is compared to. IF you don't reach up to Jordan's level you could be percived as failure. I believe that if Lebron, KG or Wade never a championship during their career, they will be called "overrated."\n\nJordan is the greatest basketball talent to ever play the game.
135351
kevin garnett\ntim duncan\nsteve nash\ntracy mcgrady\nkobe bryant\nlebron james\ndirk nowitzki\nallen iverson\nshaquille o'neal\nvince carter
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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.
1180947
Jordan with any of the second teir stars is the best.  He is the one player who could not be stopped in the clutch.  His defense was simply awesome and his leadership equal to Larry and Magic.
544927
Detroit Pistons, El Loco Bohn.\n\nBecause of the Fantastic Five, the best starting five in the NBA:  \n\nChauncey Billups (2006 NBA All Star, 5th place MVP, All NBA 2nd Team, All NBA Defensive 2nd Team, 3rd in assists and 4th in FT percentage in the NBA in 2006, 2004 NBA Finals MVP) \n\nRichard "Rip" Hamilton(2006 NBA All Star, 1st in the NBA in Three point shooting percentage in 2006) \n\nTayshaun Prince ( All NBA Defensive 2nd Team) \n\nBen "Big Ben" Wallace (2006 NBA All Star, 2006 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Only NBA Player in the Top ten in Rebounds, Blocks and Steals in 2006, All NBA 2nd Team, All NBA Defensive 1st Team) \n\nRasheed Wallace (2006 NBA All Star).\n\nLet me add that the Pistons are the only team left in the playoffs that has won a NBA title (3).