NBA's Greatest Players

In 1996, the NBA came out with its 50 greatest players list to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the formation of the NBA. There was a great ceremony at the 1997 All Star Game where 47 of the 50 players selected were present. (“Pistol” Pete Maravich had passed away, Shaquille O’Neal was injured and was not at the game, and Jerry West elected not to participate).

It has been 11 years since that list was published so I thought to myself, if the list was to add 11 people who would those 11 players be? Would they be the people that were snubbed from the last list or would they be all younger up and comers? Here are the 11 players I thought that would make the cut as the next 11 in. The list is not in any particular order.

1. Dominique Wilkins – the biggest snub on the original list. The guy retired as the 6th all-time leading scorer and was the most ferocious dunker of the 80’s and early 90’s. He was one of the best players of the 80’s along with Bird, Magic, Ewing, a younger Jordan, etc. Too not have him on the original list almost lost the list all of its credibility.

2. Tim Duncan – a three time NBA champion who I believe is the greatest power forward of all time (I know he is 7’ but he is a power forward as long as San Antonio keep bringing in Bums like Umberto and Nesterovic to play Center next to him). The “Big Fundamental” is one of the most consistent players in NBA history at 22 ppg and 12 rpg throughout his career. If you had to pick one guy to start a team around it would be him.

3. Kobe Bryant – I hate Kobe Bryant. He ruined what could have been the greatest dynasty in sports since the Celtics of the 50’s and 60’s but you can’t deny his ability. There is not a better scorer in the NBA then Kobe Bryant. Any game he could score 50 points. He may have driven Shaq out of LA and been accused of Rape in Colorado and be on cheap ass player but he is an unbelievable talent.

4. Allen Iverson – How he isn’t dead yet I do not know. He is listed at 6’ (I think he is even smaller) and only weighs 165 lbs yet he attacks the rim like no one his size has ever done. He gets destroyed every game but still averages 28 ppg which is second all time behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. The best 6 footer in the history of the NBA.

5. Dirk Nowitski – The first European Born Superstar. Is one of, if not the, best players in the NBA today. He started as only a pure jump shot shooter that has transformed his game into a well-rounded player in the last couple of years. My idol said in a column once “"Dirk is playing at a higher level than any forward since Bird.” Anytime you can be in the same sentence as Bird (Basketball Jesus) you are a top player in my book.

6. Lebron James – I know he has only been the league now for a couple of years but this guy is going to be on the same level as MJ, Bird, and Magic someday. Last year he averaged 32 ppg, 7 rpg, and 6.6 apg. Just absolutely freakish for a 21 year old. He is on pace right now to break every career scoring record. The best of the best right now in the NBA.

7. Dwayne Wade – What made Bird and Magic so great? There incredible talent for one but the competition against one another pushed each other over the top. Lebron and Wade are going to be battling against each other for years. Before he got hurt this year Wade was averaging 29 ppg, 8 ppg, and 4 rpg. He has already won a championship and it won’t be his last. These two young guys are going to carry the NBA for many years to come.

8. Steve Nash – The Best Point Guard in the game today. A winner of two straight MVP awards and it appears that he will be on his way to a third. He can completely take over a game with even scoring a point. The single biggest team player since Basketball Jesus. In the changing environment of the NBA where isolation and one on ones are the most go to plays, the Phoenix Suns stay away from it with great team basketball and it is only possible through the play of Steve Nash.

9. Jason Kidd – Before Nash burst onto the scene as the consummate point guard there was Jason Kidd. The triple-double machine. He can literally do it all. He scores (without a decent jump shot), he is a great assist guy and for a guard he is one hell of a rebounder. He is also a great defender being a First Team Defense four times and its Second Team four times as well. One of only three players in NBA history to record at least 13,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 8,000 assists in his playing career (the others are the Big “O” and Magic.)

10. Kevin Garnett – A career average of 21 ppg, 11.3 rpg, and 4.5apg. A winner of the MVP in 2003-2004 season and the most intense player of all time. Just look at his face and it scares you. A ten time NBA all-star and one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He has redefined the Power Forward Position as one that steps away from the basket. The only knock is that he can’t win the big game and has never gone far into the playoffs.

11. This spot is for you my audience to decide. I can’t think of who to put in this spot. I’m looking toward you America to help me decide who number 11 on my list is. The only requirement is that they have played in the NBA and are not already on the 50 Greatest Player List. Help Me America. If I made this list in 3 years I am pretty sure Kevin Durant would have this spot.

As always feel free to comment on this blog or to send me an email at jkazanovicz@gmail.com. Send any questions and or Comments to that address.