As we know, the United States is particularly fond of the principle of competition and ranking in all circumstances. Basketball is one of the areas of interest in this respect, and amateurs and experts alike enjoy drawing up rankings of the best basketball players of all time.
It’s a habit that has quickly spread to our shores. Even if to a lesser extent, many sports are now the subject of rankings of all kinds.
What we are interested in here is the ranking of the 30 best basketball players of all time. And while the sport is played on every continent, the American NBA league is undoubtedly the most appropriate setting for this kind of list. So here’s what we’ve come up with.
Ranking players, a popular hobby
Perhaps difficult to imagine in France, American interest in basketball and its players is very strong. To understand it, you need to transpose the appeal of international football stars, and you’ll immediately have a clearer picture of the situation.
Beyond the sporting aspect, this implies a real expertise in the players, their abilities and their performances. Whether online or in person, it’s not uncommon to come across a fan who can list the best basketball players of all time. And while certain faces are systematically included in these selections, others can change, depending on the criteria taken into account.
What criteria should be taken into account?
As in any sport, the personal aspect of the person drawing up a ranking inevitably has an impact. Whether they come from a particular region, or represent a team that appeals, players are analysed from every angle. This is especially the case for amateur rankings. When it comes to professional teams, on the other hand, other more objective factors are taken into account.
The number of points scored
Most of the rankings you’ll find, like ours, focus solely on the number of points scored over a player’s entire career. However, this is a double-edged sword, as it does not take into account the particularities of each position, and the fact that some players, such as defenders, are unable to score as many points as they would like.
Nevertheless, this factor has the advantage of being completely objective and irrefutable. The statistics are collected on a regular and strict basis, making it possible to create an effective ranking of the best basketball players over several generations.
Length of career
Implied by the first point, this second criterion is also very important, as it allows us to distinguish between the two. A player who scores a lot of points in a relatively short career will be able to compete with another player whose career is longer, but whose effectiveness is more limited.
But it’s also possible to look at the bigger picture. The fact that a player has had a long career is also a good way of determining his level. The more time a player has spent on the pitch, the more likely it is that he has been at a sufficiently high level for many years. This simple fact can be used to establish a ranking in its own right.
Average points per game
To make things even more objective, some experts like to calculate the average points scored per match. This is a simple calculation based on the total number of points, divided by the total number of matches played. The result is a significant indication of the quality of the player.
This method also rewards the game’s linearity. A player who has scored a lot throughout his career will have a greater advantage than one who has only had a short period of glory.
The player’s position
As we have already mentioned, the position in which a player plays is naturally of great importance in establishing a ranking of the best players. In reality, it all depends on the angle from which the analysis is made. When it comes to highlighting attacking qualities, all the criteria presented above are of interest.
On the other hand, when it comes to defence and the qualities of defending players, other factors need to be taken into account, such as the number of attacks thwarted, or the ratio of points conceded to points scored.
Successful 3-pointers and free throws
Finally, the rankings of the best basketball players can also look at the specifics of the game. This is particularly the case for the different actions that take place during a match, such as 3-point shots or free throws.
Success in these sporting highlights can give a clear idea of the quality of each player, but it can also shine a light on sportspeople who don’t always have the most favourable statistics.
Our ranking of the 30 best basketball players
Based on the number of points scored over their entire careers, here is our list of the 30 best basketball players of all time in the NBA, across all generations:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Karl Mahone
- LeBron James
- Kobe Bryant
- Michael Jordan
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Moses Malone
- Elvin Hayes
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Oscar Robertson
- Dominique Wilkins
- Carmelo Anthony
- Tim Duncan
- Paul Pierce
- John Havlicek
- Kevin Garnett
- Vince Carter
- Alex English
- Reggie Miller
- Jerry West
- Patrick Ewing
- Ray Allen
- Allen Iverson
- Charles Barkley
- Robert Parish
- Kevin Durant
- Adrian Dantley
- Dwyane Wade
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