The Definitive List of Best Players in NBA History by Position
When I sat down to compile the definitive list of the best NBA players by position, I found myself thinking about greatness across different eras. The timing feels particularly relevant with the upcoming Pacquiao-Barrios fight set for July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - another venue that's witnessed countless legendary performances across different sports. There's something fascinating about comparing athletes from different generations, whether we're talking about boxing legends or basketball icons. The debate around the greatest NBA players by position has evolved dramatically over the decades, and I've spent countless hours watching old game footage and analyzing statistics to form my own perspective on this eternal basketball discussion.
Starting with point guards, my personal choice for the top spot goes to Magic Johnson, who revolutionized the position with his 6'9" frame and unparalleled court vision. I know some younger fans might argue for Stephen Curry, and his 3,390 career three-pointers certainly make a compelling case, but Magic's impact was just different. He averaged 11.2 assists per game throughout his career while leading the Lakers to five championships during the 1980s. What many people forget is that he also recorded 138 triple-doubles, a number that feels almost mythical when you consider the era he played in. The way he controlled games reminded me of how elite fighters control the ring - there's a strategic dominance that transcends pure athleticism.
Moving to shooting guards, this might be the most straightforward selection with Michael Jordan occupying the throne. His six championships with the Bulls between 1991 and 1998 created a legacy that's become almost mythological in sports circles. Jordan's scoring average of 30.12 points per game remains the highest in league history, and his competitive fire was something I've never seen matched in any sport. I recently rewatched his famous "flu game" from the 1997 Finals and was struck by how he scored 38 points while visibly ill - that kind of determination separates the great from the legendary. The upcoming fight at MGM Grand makes me think about how certain athletes just have that championship DNA, whether they're in the boxing ring or on the basketball court.
The small forward position sparks the most debate among my basketball friends, and I've got Larry Bird slightly edging out LeBron James in my personal ranking. Bird's three consecutive MVP awards from 1984 to 1986 showcase how he dominated his era, and his shooting numbers were absurd for his time - 49.6% from the field, 88.6% from the line, and 37.6% from three-point range over his career. What often gets overlooked is his rebounding, where he averaged 10.0 per game as a forward. I know LeBron's longevity and counting stats are incredible, but Bird's peak was just different. It's like comparing different championship fighters from various weight classes - sometimes you have to consider dominance within context.
At power forward, Tim Duncan's fundamental excellence gives him the nod for me over more flashy players like Karl Malone. Duncan's five championships spanned across three different decades, which shows remarkable consistency and adaptability. He averaged 19.0 points and 10.8 rebounds over 19 seasons, numbers that don't jump off the page until you realize how sustained that production was. I've always appreciated how he went about his business quietly, similar to how Manny Pacquiao conducted himself with humility outside the ring despite being an absolute warrior inside it. Duncan's 26,496 career points often get overlooked because he was never the most vocal superstar, but his impact was undeniable.
The center position presents the toughest choice, but I'm going with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar over Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Kareem's 38,387 points remain the most in NBA history, and his skyhook was the most unstoppable shot I've ever seen. His six MVP awards spread across different eras of basketball demonstrate how he maintained excellence as the game evolved around him. What many younger fans don't realize is that he also contributed 3,189 blocks despite the statistic not being officially recorded until later in his career. The longevity of his prime was remarkable - he made 19 All-Star appearances over 20 seasons. Thinking about the upcoming fight date of July 20 reminds me that true greatness isn't just about peak performance but sustained excellence over time.
As I reflect on this list, what strikes me is how the definition of greatness evolves with each generation. The players I've selected dominated their eras in ways that transcended statistics, much like legendary fighters who become synonymous with their weight classes. The common thread among all these athletes is their ability to perform when it mattered most, whether in Game 7 of the NBA Finals or the main event at venues like the MGM Grand. While statistics provide important markers for comparison, the intangible qualities - leadership, clutch performance, and basketball IQ - ultimately separate the good from the truly great. My personal list will undoubtedly differ from others, but that's what makes these discussions so compelling for basketball enthusiasts like myself who appreciate the rich history of the sport across different positions and eras.
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Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
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We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
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