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The NBA's 50 Greatest Players
In 1996, to commemorate the NBA's 50th anniversary, the NBA released a list of the 50 greatest players of all time. The players were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of former players, team executives, and sports writers. I found the list very interesting, and couldn't think of anyone (except for Bob McAdoo) that I felt should have been included. Of course, now there are several players who should be added to the list. But in 1996, it was a good list.
The players were not ranked in any order, nor were they chosen by position. The voters were merely asked to choose the 50th best players, regardless of position. As it turned out, they picked 15 centers, 15 forwards, and 20 guards (though a couple of the centers sometimes played forward, should probably have been classified as centers.)
After ten years, the list needs to be updated, but it's more a matter or tweaking than of making big changes. I would squeeze just four current players onto the list, in this order:
- Tim Duncan
- Kobe Bryant
- Alan Iverson
- Gary Payton
- Kevin Garnett
Several other players come mighty close, and I wouldn't be surprised if a future revision includes them: Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Lebron James. Lebron, assuming he stays healthy, is certainly on track for inclusion in any 50 Greatest list.
Here's the 1996 list, broken down by position:
Centers
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1969-1989
- Wilt Chamberlain, 1959-1973
- Dave Cowens, 1970-1980, 1982-1983
- Patrick Ewing, 1985-1901
- Moses Malone, 1974-1995
- George Mikan, 1946-1954, 1955-1956
- David Robinson, 1989-2003
- Bill Russell, 1956-1969
- Hakeem Olajuwon, 1984-2002 (forward/center)
- Shaquille O'Neal, 1992- (still active)
- Robert Parish, 1976-1997
- Willis Reed, 1964-1974
- Nate Thurmond, 1963-1977 (forward/center)
- Wes Unseld, 1968-1981 (forward/center)
- Bill Walton, 1974-1988
Forwards
- Charles Barkley, 1984-2000
- Rick Barry, 1965-1980
- Elgin Baylor, 1958-1972
- Larry Bird, 1979-1992
- Dave DeBusschere, 1962-1974
- Julius Erving, 1971-1987
- John Havlicek, 1962-1978 (forward/guard)
- Elvin Hayes, 1968-1984
- Jerry Lucas, 1963-1974 (forward/center)
- Karl Malone, 1985-2004
- Kevin McHale, 1980-1993
- Bob Pettit, 1954-1965 (forward/center)
- Scottie Pippen, 1987-2003
- Dolph Schayes, 1948-1964 (forward/center)
- James Worthy, 1982-1994
Guards
- Nate Archibald, 1970-1984
- Paul Arizin, 1950-1961 (forward/guard)
- Dave Bing, 1966-1978
- Bob Cousy, 1950-1963, 1969-1970
- Billy Cunningham, 1965-1976
- Clyde Drexler, 1983-1998
- Walt Frazier, 1967-1980
- George Gervin, 1972-1986
- Hal Greer, 1958-1973
- Magic Johnson, 1979-1991, 1996
- Sam Jones, 1957-1969
- Michael Jordan, 1984-1993, 1995-1998
- Pete Maravich, 1970-1980
- Earl Monroe, 1967-1980
- Oscar Robertson, 1960-1974
- Bill Sharman, 1950-1961
- John Stockton, 1984-2003
- Isiah Thomas, 1981-1994
- Jerry West, 1960-1974
- Lenny Wilkens, 1960-1975
Here are the persons who voted. They were broken down into three categories: players (none active), team executives (coaches, general managers, etc.), and media personnel. They were note allowed to vote for themselves.
Former Players:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Dave Bing
- Bill Bradley
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Bob Cousy
- Julius Erving
- John Havlicek
- Earvin Johnson
- John Kerr
- Bob Lanier
- George Mikan
- Bob Pettit
- Oscar Robertson
- Bill Russell
- Dolph Schayes
- Bill Sharman
Team Executives (at the time of voting)
- Al Attles
- Red Auerbach
- Elgin Baylor
- Larry Bird
- Marty Blake
- Hubie Brown
- Billy Cunningham
- Chuck Daly
- Wayne Embry
- Alex Hannum
- Lester Harrison
- Red Holzman
- Frank Layden
- Dick McGuire
- Harvey Pollack
- Jack Ramsay
- Willis Reed
- Gene Shue
- Isiah Thomas
- Wes Unseld
- Jerry West
Media
- Marv Albert
- Fran Blinebury
- Mitch Chortkoff
- David DuPree
- Joe Gilmartin
- Sam Goldaper
- Chick Hearn
- Phil Jasner
- Leonard Koppet
- Leonard Lewin
- Jack McCallum
- Bob Ryan
- Peter Vecsey
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