NBA has a Rich history,dating back nearly 70 ears,full of Awarded organizations and players and during our life time some of us have seen our fair share of great come and go.But there are very few we still remember,the one who stands above the rest,those who have worked hard and earned their place in history of NBA.Here are top ten greatest legends of NBA
10.Hakeem Olajuwon
Career playoff statistics: 25.9 points per game, 11.2 average per game, 3.3 blocks per game
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals most valuable player, 1 reg. season most valuable player
This legend is remembered as the most skilled big man in the history of the game.Hakeem's mastery on the inside was a thing of beauty.He abused many defenders with his trademark move "Dream Shake".His game was so perfect and renowned that superstars like Koby Bryant and Dwight Howard looked to improve their game under his instructions.He was indeed the legend maker.
Olajuwon was one of the game's greatest defenders, evidenced by his 3.3 block-per-game average.
The Big man led a marginally-talented Houston Rockets team to back-to-back NBA Championships, winning one regular season MVP, two Finals MVPs . He is the only player in NBA history to win regular season MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season
09.Shaquille O'Neal
Career playoff stats: 24.3 point per game, 11.6 average per game, 2.1 blocks per game
Accolades: 4 NBA titles, 3 Finals most valuable player, 1 reg. season most valuable player
Shaquille O'Neal was the most dominant player of his generation. It was borderline unfair how he brutalized defenders with brute strength.
He led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA Championships in the early 2000s, winning three Finals MVPs in the process. The 2000 regular season MVP winner was also selected to 14 All-NBA Teams in his career.
08.Tim Duncan
Career playoff stats: 21.9 point per game, 12.0 average per game, 2.4 blocks per game
Accolades: 4 NBA titles, 3 Finals most valuable player, 2 reg. season most valuable player
Tim Duncan is the model of consistency.Take a look through his statistics throughout the years, and i m damn sure you won't find too much variation.
Tim led the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA Championships, en route to three Finals MVPs. His perfect Finals record was blemished last season in a seven-game series loss to the Miami Heat, but four out of five isn't too bad. Duncan been selected to 14 All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams each.
07.Wilt Chamberlain
Career playoff stats: 22.5 point per game, 24.5 average per game, 4.2 APG
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 1 Finals most valuable player, 4 reg. season most valuable player
Wilt Chamberlain is also one of the most dominant player of all time. Chamberlain's dominance is widely acknowledged, and as time passes he seems more and more like a mythical figure. In the 1961-62 regular season, he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds. Impossible isn't it? but he made it possible through his hard work and determination.
If Wilt had accomplished more in the postseason, he would be closer to No. 1. It seems crazy to expect more from a player who averaged 22 and 25, but that's how it goes when you have a most dominant player like Wilt on your side.
06.LeBron James
Career playoff stats: 28.1 point per game, 8.6 average per game, 6.7 APG
Accolades: 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals most valuable player, 4 reg. season most valuable player
LeBron entered the league with expectations he surely couldn't live up to.Right?
Well in this case you are wrong,LeBron worked hard and under the instruction of the legend Hakeem Olajuwon he lived up to expectations no other player might have lived up to.He has gotten the championship monkey off of his back two times over and is now chasing history. Just 10 seasons into his NBA career, he's already one of the game's all-time greats. The statistics and MVP counts speak for themselves. "King James" has developed into a great two-way player, being named to 9 All-NBA and 5 All-Defensive Teams.
05.Larry Bird
Career playoff stats: 23.8 point per game, 10.3 average per game, 6.5 APG
Accolades: 3 NBA titles, 2 Finals most valuable player, 3 reg. season most valuable player
Bird was never the most athletic player on the court, but he was always dominant. Whatever he lacked in athleticism, he made up for with his basketball IQ, great skills including that deadly jump shot and fierce competitiveness.
Bird led the Boston Celtics to three NBA Championships, compiling three regular season MVPs and 2 Finals MVPs along the way. "Larry Legend" was selected to 10 All-NBA and three All-Defense Teams in his 13-year career.
04.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Career playoff stats: 24.3 point per game, 10.5 average per game, 2.4 blocks per game
Accolades: 6 NBA titles, 2 Finals most valuable player, 6 reg. season most valuable player
Before Duncan, there was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in terms of consistency. His ability to maintain such averages while competing for 20 seasons is simply a testament to his greatness.
Here are some of Kareem's biggest achievements : all-time leading scorer in NBA history, most regular season MVP awards (six), 15 All-NBA selections, 11 All-Defense selections, 19 All-Star appearances.
03.Magic Johnson
Career playoff stats: 19.5 point per game, 7.7 average per game, 12.3 APG
Accolades: 5 NBA titles, 3 Finals most valuable player, 3 reg. season most valuable player
Magic Johnson began his career with greatness and never looked back. He won Finals MVP as a rookie when he famously started center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals. The Finals were like a second home to Magic and the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, as they made nine trips during his illustrious career.
Magic used his large frame to shred defenses with precision. Magic's 12.3 assists ranks first all-time in the playoffs. He amassed 10 All-NBA selections in his career.
02.Bill Russell
Career playoff stats: 16.2 point per game, 24.9 average per game, 4.7 APG
Accolades: 11 NBA titles, 5 reg. season most valuable player
Bill Russell is an interesting case, as his offensive stats don't jump out at you, but his impact went far beyond numbers. Russell could flat-out dominate the game defensively. Still, his career averages are nothing to sniff at, and if blocks and Finals MVPs were counted/awarded throughout his career, he would've won plenty of those.
Russell is the greatest winner in all of sports. His 11-championship count may be the safest record in the NBA game.
Michael Jordan is widely known as the game's greatest player—and for good reason.
"MJ" accomplished everything possible in the game, piling up on the stats and awards. On the game's biggest stage the NBA Finals Jordan went a perfect 6-for-6, also sweeping Finals most valuable playerin his appearances.
He dominated both sides of the ball, amassing 11 All-NBA selections, nine All-Defensive First team selections and 10 scoring titles.
Michael Jordan greatest feat of all might have come before he even won an NBA title. In the 1988 season, he won most valuable player, Defensive Player of the Year and the NBA's scoring title. His insane '88 season went like this: 35 points on 53% shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.2 steals, 1.6 blocks.
