Who is considered the greatest basketball player of all time?

Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) due to his six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, scoring titles, defensive prowess, and unmatched cultural impact, though LeBron James is a strong contender, especially with younger fans, due to his incredible longevity and sustained dominance, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell are also frequently mentioned in GOAT discussions.

Who is the greatest NBA player ever?

While there's no single definitive answer, Michael Jordan is most widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) due to his six NBA championships (with six Finals MVPs), five MVP awards, ten scoring titles, and unparalleled cultural impact, though LeBron James is a strong contender, especially as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with other greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Kobe Bryant also frequently mentioned in the debate. 

Who is the goat, LeBron or Jordan?

The "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James remains ongoing, but Michael Jordan generally holds a slight edge in most polls, though LeBron James's longevity and all-around game have significantly narrowed the gap, according to current NBA players' votes in recent years, say news outlets like The Athletic and Fox News. Jordan is often favored for his perfect Finals record (6-0) and dominant scoring, while James is praised for his unparalleled longevity, all-around stats, and playmaking in a more complex era, say sports analysts. 

Who is the 7 6 Hall of Famer?

The 7-foot-6 (7'6") Hall of Famer you're likely looking for is Yao Ming, the legendary Chinese center for the Houston Rockets, known for his dominant play, cultural impact, and multiple NBA All-Star selections before his retirement. Yao Ming is the tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is celebrated as a global basketball icon.
 

Who is number one in NBA history?

NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens

• Michael Jordan. Illustration: Wes McCabe / The Athletic; Photo: Focus on Sport / Getty Images. ...
• LeBron James. ...
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. ...
• Bill Russell. ...
• Earvin “Magic” Johnson. ...
• Wilt Chamberlain. ...
• Larry Bird. ...
• Shaquille O'Neal.

Top 10 Greatest NBA Players of All Time

Who is top 5 all time in the NBA?

The top 5 NBA players of all time consistently feature Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Magic Johnson, though rankings vary, with Jordan and LeBron often battling for the top spot, followed by Kareem, Russell (for championships), and Magic (for versatility). Other legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal are also frequently in the discussion for the greatest players ever. 

Is Steph Curry one of the greatest basketball players?

Nicknamed "Chef Curry", he is widely regarded as the greatest shooter in basketball history and is credited with revolutionizing the game by popularizing the three-point shot across all levels of basketball.

Who won 8 rings in a row?

Bill Russell and his Boston Celtics teammates won 8 consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966, an unparalleled dynasty in North American sports history, with key players like Sam Jones and K.C. Jones also achieving this feat. 

Who is the greatest 76er of all time?

There's no single consensus, but Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Allen Iverson are consistently named the greatest 76ers of all time, with Dr. J often cited for his longevity and iconic style, Wilt for unmatched dominance, and AI for his MVP-caliber play and cultural impact, alongside key contributors like Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, and Joel Embiid, who all brought championships or MVP seasons to Philadelphia. 

Has anyone ever had a 30/20/20 triple double?

Yes, Nikola Jokić achieved the first-ever 30-20-20 triple-double in NBA history in March 2025, with 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists in an overtime win against the Phoenix Suns, setting a new record for assists by a center.
 

Did Shaq ever dunk on MJ?

Yes, Shaquille O'Neal did dunk on Michael Jordan, famously doing so in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals when O'Neal's Orlando Magic played Jordan's Chicago Bulls, a moment often highlighted in videos showing Shaq overpowering Jordan near the basket. While Jordan is famous for posterizing Shaq, there's clear video evidence of Shaq getting the better of MJ on a dunk in that series. 

Who was Michael Jordan's toughest opponent?

Michael Jordan's hardest opponents included the Detroit Pistons ("Bad Boy" era), particularly Joe Dumars, who embodied their tough defense, and smaller, quicker guards like Muggsy Bogues, Allen Iverson, and Damon Stoudamire, who presented unique defensive challenges; while in the Finals, the 1997 & 1998 Utah Jazz (led by Malone & Stockton) and the 1993 Phoenix Suns (led by Charles Barkley) were formidable teams. 

Who's better, Kobe or Jordan?

While both are legendary, Michael Jordan is widely considered the better player due to his superior efficiency, defense, and accolades (6 MVPs, 6 Finals MVPs, 10 scoring titles) compared to Kobe Bryant (1 MVP, 2 Finals MVPs, 2 scoring titles), despite Kobe's incredible scoring ability, relentless mentality, and 5 championships, with Jordan generally edging Kobe in advanced metrics and overall impact, though Kobe's skill set closely mirrored Jordan's iconic style. 

Is LeBron James or Michael Jordan better?

The debate over LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan is subjective, but generally favors Jordan for his scoring titles, defensive awards (DPOY, Steals), and higher peak efficiency (PER, BPM) in fewer games, while LeBron leads in longevity, total assists/rebounds, and overall versatility as a playmaker, with fans split by era, though Jordan often wins fan polls. Jordan is seen as a more dominant scorer and defender, while LeBron excels as a facilitator and has a longer career, making arguments for both depending on whether you value peak dominance or sustained excellence.
 

Who has the most 50 point games in NBA history?

Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most 50-point games in NBA history by a massive margin with 118, followed by Michael Jordan (31), and then Kobe Bryant and James Harden tied with 25 each, with Elgin Baylor and LeBron James also in the top ranks. 

Is Kobe or LeBron better?

The debate over whether LeBron James or Kobe Bryant is better is subjective, but generally, LeBron has the edge in overall stats, efficiency, and longevity, with more MVPs, assists, rebounds, and a higher career field goal percentage, while Kobe is often praised for his elite scoring skill, clutch performances, and defensive intensity, with more championships and scoring titles, though LeBron has more Finals MVPs. Arguments favor LeBron for his all-around impact, athleticism, and team-raising ability, while Kobe is lauded for his relentless scoring, "Mamba Mentality," and versatile offensive moves, making the choice depend on whether you value all-around dominance or pure scoring artistry.
 

Who scored 78 points in a game?

Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points in an NBA game on December 8, 1961, for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers, a game that went into triple overtime and ended in a loss for his team, though it was a significant performance with 43 rebounds as well, and broke Elgin Baylor's previous record before Chamberlain himself scored 100 points later.
 

Has anyone scored 3,000 points in a season?

Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have scored 3,000+ points in a single NBA season, with Chamberlain doing it multiple times, including the all-time record of 4,029 points in 1961-62, and Jordan achieving it in 1986-87. Several other elite players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, and Kobe Bryant, have come close or joined this exclusive list as the league evolved. 

Why can't you wear 69 in the NBA?

The NBA hasn't officially banned the number 69, but it's unofficially prohibited because of its "sexually suggestive connotations," preventing players from wearing it due to league image concerns, famously stopping Dennis Rodman from wearing it in 2000 when he switched to #70 instead for the Mavericks, even though jerseys were made. 

Who got more rings than Jordan?

Several players have more championship rings than Michael Jordan's six, most notably Bill Russell (11) and Sam Jones (10), followed by others with 8 or 7 rings like John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders (all 8), and Robert Horry (7). Jordan is tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Scottie Pippen with six rings. 

What coach has 13 rings?

The coach with 13 championship rings is Phil Jackson, who won 11 as a head coach (6 with the Chicago Bulls, 5 with the Los Angeles Lakers) and 2 as a player with the New York Knicks, making him the most decorated coach in NBA history. He's known as "The Zen Master" and coached legendary teams featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
 

What does Shaq think of Steph Curry?

Shaquille O' Neal also says Stephen Curry is better than him and wonders if it's time to start putting Curry as the best NBA player of all time.

Who's better, Larry Bird or Steph Curry?

Both are usually ranked 2nd best at their respective positions. Larry All Time is a better player right now ranked. But Curry's unanimous MVP year was just insane it cant be ignored.

Can Curry hit 4000 threes?

Yes, Stephen Curry already reached and surpassed 4,000 career three-pointers in March 2025, becoming the first player in NBA history to do so, and continues to extend his own record, solidifying his unprecedented status as the league's all-time leader in threes. He hit his 4,000th three-pointer against the Sacramento Kings, adding to an already historic career that saw him break the previous record in 2021, and now sits far ahead of other top shooters like James Harden.