Top NBA Players

At the 50th anniversary of the NBA, they picked a top 50 players of all-time. They've updated the list. Some are overrated because they play on a lot of championship teams, thus getting a lot of t.v. time. I think my list is better.

On their updated list along with their statistics. I thought, maybe too simply, if you just add the three big statistics - points, rebounds and assists per game, you would have a more objective look at who the top players were. Doing so came out actually pretty close. It took me about ten minutes to do.

Here is my list.

10. Kareem Abdul Jabbar - He was ranked #4 on their list, so fairly close. He has the most total points all-time in the NBA, so that should count for something too. Another flaw in my and most systems is the players that play a long time, which Kareem did, will see their averages go down as the get into old age (after 35 in the NBA). Kareem played into his 40's.

9. Jerry West - A great player. You also can add to his stats the fact that after his playing days, he built up many championship teams. His image was also used for the NBA logo. I read a book he wrote that was really sad. He wrote about how he has struggled with depression his whole life. Being rich and famous isn't everything.

8. Larry Bird - I remember seeing him get 20 first quarter points in the first quarter in a game against my beloved Blazers.

7. Michael Jordan - Yes, you could add some for style points and that would boost him higher. By the way, Michael and Lebron was #1 and #2, respectively, in the internet rankings.

6. Lebron James - Same with the style points. Lebron will probably lose some on his averages as he gets older. We'll see.

5. Bill Russell - He was the leader of the Celtics teams that won a million championships.

4. Oscar Robertson - Played in the 60's. People tend to focus on current players. You can put his stats up against anyone playing today.

3. Elgin Baylor - The Lakers had a team that had three players on this list. How did they not win more championships during that time. The internet list called him the most underrated player of all-time. I would agree.

2. Bob Pettit - An old-time player who was one of the first superstars of the NBA.

1. Wilt Chamberlain - According to my formula, it isn't even close. An advantage is he was well over seven feet tall and super strong. Now there are a lot of 7 footers, but not back when he played. There is an interesting book about his 100 point game. The other teams center was under seven feet and got into foul trouble. His replacement was way under seven feet tall. Wilt just went crazy. Likely, his statistics would not be as good these days. He still might come out number one all-time, though.