When discussions arise about the greatest NBA players of all time, two names almost always dominate the conversation: Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Whether it was Jordan’s reign with the Chicago Bulls throughout the 1990s, where he captured six championships and five MVP awards, or James’ remarkable longevity and ability to win NBA titles with three different franchises, both legends possess compelling cases for basketball’s GOAT crown.

Another figure whose place in NBA history is firmly established, much like Jordan and James, is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Los Angeles Lakers icon still owns the record for the most MVP awards ever with six, one more than Jordan. Having won championships with both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar shared the court with many of the sport’s greatest players, giving him a unique perspective on some of basketball’s most debated topics.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Opinion on NBA GOAT Debate

In fact, despite the endless debate surrounding Jordan and James in the GOAT discussion, Abdul-Jabbar once stated that there is another NBA legend he considers superior to both of them.

Considering how dominant Jordan and James were during their primes, many fans would view them as the toughest possible opponents in a one-on-one match-up. Both combined elite athleticism with extraordinary basketball intelligence, while possessing the competitive drive that made them incredibly difficult to overcome.

However, Abdul-Jabbar believes one of his former teammates deserves even greater praise than either Jordan or LeBron. Interestingly, the Hall of Fame center — often regarded as the greatest center in NBA history — did not choose Lakers stars such as Magic Johnson or James Worthy. Instead, he selected a teammate from his Milwaukee Bucks days.

It’s evident that Abdul-Jabbar holds his former Bucks teammate in extremely high regard, even calling him the greatest point guard the NBA has ever seen, ahead of the player many fans place at number one, Magic Johnson.

Long before Russell Westbrook emerged, Robertson set the standard for point guards, impacting every area of the game, including rebounding. A 12-time All-Star, the ‘Big O’ captured the NBA MVP award in 1964 and also earned MVP honours in that season’s All-Star Game.

That campaign came two years after Robertson became the first player in league history to average a triple-double across an entire season. He remained the only player to achieve the feat until Westbrook and, later, Nikola Jokic joined him. Robertson also led the NBA in assists six times, including three consecutive seasons from 1964 to 1966, and earned spots on the league’s 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary teams.

Standing 6-foot-5, Robertson possessed virtually every quality a team could want from a floor general. He finally secured an NBA championship in 1971 alongside Abdul-Jabbar. While younger fans who have witnessed the brilliance of Jordan and James may struggle to imagine a player surpassing them, Robertson’s Hall of Fame career and revolutionary style made him one of the most influential talents the game has ever seen.

Although Abdul-Jabbar may naturally be influenced by his personal connection to Robertson, that should not diminish just how exceptional Robertson was during the peak years of his career.

The San Antonio Spurs are regarded by many basketball fans as one of the NBA‘s most successful franchises thanks to the five championships the team has won in its history.

Those championship-winning runs stretch back from 1999 to 2014 and were led by legendary coach Gregg Popovich, in addition to some of the greatest players the NBA has seen in recent decades.

The current Spurs roster, spearheaded by French superstar Victor Wembanyama, is currently competing in the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. However, the team have some work to do if they are to bring home a sixth championship after falling 1-0 behind in the series following Wednesday’s Game 1 contest at Frost Bank Center.

A recent list put together by AI has named and ranked the 10 greatest ever Spurs players, with the list including numerous multiple-time NBA championship winners.

10

Artis Gilmore

Ranked 10th in the AI-generated list is former Spurs center, Artis Gilmore. The six-time NBA All-Star may not have won a championship in his career, but his tenure with the Spurs between 1982 and 1987 was quite underrated.

He was an efficient operator on the court during his spell in San Antonio and was a reliable big man for the franchise before David Robinson and Tim Duncan followed in later years.

9

Alvin Robertson

Following Gilmore on the list is former Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Star, Alvin Robertson, who spent his first five years in the NBA with the Spurs. While the former shooting guard’s peak level did not last as long as some of the other Spurs greats, his ability to steal possessions and play great defence means he is well remembered by long-time Spurs fans.

Also, Robertson is one of only four NBA players and the only guard to ever record a quadruple-double in a game.

8

Sean Elliott

Ranked eighth on the list is former small forward and two-time All-Star, Sean Elliott. After being drafted by the Spurs with the third pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, Elliott would go on to spend 11 of his 12 seasons in the NBA with the franchise.

He was among the Spurs roster that won a franchise-first NBA title in 1999. Elliot produced an iconic play during that title run, dubbed ‘Memorial Day Miracle’, which saw him hit a late three-point conversion against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2 of the Conference Finals.

7

Victor Wembanyama

Next on the list is current Spurs superstar and the top overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama. The French prodigy was heavily hyped up before even reaching the NBA due to his impressive exploits back in his home country. The level of physicality and dominance he has been able to demonstrate, thanks to his large 7ft 4in frame, means he is regarded by basketball watchers as a true generational talent.

In just his third year with the Spurs, the Frenchman has helped steer his team to a first NBA Finals appearance in 12 seasons, while being unanimously voted DPOY for 2025/2026. The 22-year-old was very impressive during the Western Conference Finals, as he averaged 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds to help take down the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in seven games.

6

Kawhi Leonard

Following Wembanyama and ranked sixth, is current NBA star and small forward, Kawhi Leonard. The seven-time All-Star and two-time DPOY spent his first eight years in the league with the Spurs and was a key member of the 2014 championship-winning team thanks to his contributions at both ends of the court. These impressive displays against the LeBron James-led Miami Heat earned him the Finals MVP award.

Leonard departed the Spurs in the 2018 offseason after being traded alongside Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors. He went on to win a championship in his sole season with the Canadian franchise before joining the Los Angeles Clippers, where he remains to this day.

5

Tony Parker

Making the top five is four-time NBA champion with the Spurs, Tony Parker. The French international was a six-time All-Star during his 17-season stint in San Antonio and is regarded as the franchise’s greatest ever point guard, largely due to him being the Spurs all-time leader in assists with 6,829.

He helped run the Spurs’ offence during that impressive championship-winning period between 2003 and 2014, with his display in the 2007 Finals being arguably his best. From averaging 24.5 points per game, Parker helped Popovich’s team sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0.

4

Manu Ginobili

Fourth on the list is another international star and four-time championship winner with the Spurs, Manu Ginobili. The Argentine may not have filed the stats sheet as impressive as someone such as Parker, but the two-time All-Star’s efficiency on the court was crucial to maintaining the winning culture within the Spurs.

Ginobili spent his entire NBA career with the Spurs and was rewarded for his impact from the bench when he earned the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2007/2008 campaign.

3

George Gervin

Following Ginobili is nine-time All-Star, George Gervin, who was an instrumental figure in making the Spurs an attractive NBA franchise on a national scale. ‘The Iceman’ picked up four scoring titles during his 11-season tenure in San Antonio and ranks third in the franchise’s all-time scoring chart, with 19,383 points to his name.

Gervin was known for dominating in both the ABA and NBA eras, making him one of the first true icons of the Spurs.

2

David Robinson

Just missing out on the top spot in the rankings is a key figure from the Spurs’ early years of its championship-winning era, David Robinson. The two-time NBA champion with the Spurs is viewed as one of the top two-way centers to ever play basketball and was a dominating figure in his playing days.

He collected the regular season MVP award for the 1994/1995 season and was named DPOY for his displays in 1991/1992. Robinson was also a 10-time All-Star and sits second in the Spurs’ all-time scoring chart with 20,790.

1

Tim Duncan

Ranked number one on the list of the greatest ever Spurs stars, is the only man to win five championships with the franchise, Tim Duncan. Arguably the greatest ever power forward, Duncan is the undisputed Spurs icon as the 15-year championship period for them between 1999 and 2014 was built around his talents.

‘The Big Fundamental’ was named an All-Star in 15 of his 19 years in the NBA with the Spurs and won the regular season MVP award in both 2001/2002 and 2002/2003. Duncan was also known for stepping up in big postseason moments, winning Finals MVP in 1999, 2003, and 2005.

Duncan leads the Spurs’ all-time scoring chart to this day with an incredible 26,496 points attained from his iconic stint in San Antonio from 1997 to 2016, plus he is also the franchise leader in games, rebounds, and minutes.

With the 2025/26 season now in the books, clubs will no doubt already be turning their attention towards the next campaign as they look to achieve their objectives – whether that be lifting a title, building on the season just gone, or simply avoiding the drop.

In order to achieve those goals, all teams will need to be active in the summer transfer market to strengthen the squads already at their disposal. Needless to say, the World Cup is likely to slow negotiations down somewhat, but the Premier League is still expected to outspend every other league once again.

For that reason, it is difficult to know exactly where clubs will turn for new recruits. We’ve asked AI to come up with a rough guide to three signings every club could make this summer, and if it comes off, some sides could be in for a serious squad overhaul and a major step up in quality, while others could be left disappointed.

AI Predicts Three Signings For Every 26/27 Premier League Club

Arsenal – Julian Alvarez, Bradley Barcola, Carles Lukeba

Stan Kroenke and the rest of Arsenal’s hierarchy have already said they will do everything they can to ensure their first Premier League title in 22 years isn’t just a one-off. With that, the Gunners are expected to spend big to turn their fortunes into a dynasty, and signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, then arming him with Bradley Barcola, is one hell of a statement. Not sure another defensive signing is necessary, though, so where Carles Lukeba would fit in is anyone’s guess.

Aston Villa – Jonathan Rowe, Oscar Mingueza, Ibrahim Mbaye

Budgets are tight at Aston Villa right now, as proven by the fact they only spent £60 million last summer. But after Unai Emery led them to a Europa League triumph, he must be rewarded somehow, and giving him two pacey wingers in Jonathan Rowe and PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye could be just what the doctor ordered after Leon Bailey left last summer.

Bournemouth – Nathan Ake, Benjamin Nygren, Alvaro Rodriguez

Marco Rose has big boots to fill after Andoni Iraola’s exit. But with Marcos Senesi also leaving, a reunion could be on the cards for Nathan Ake, which could help bring some much-needed experience back to a squad that must learn to cope with the demands of juggling domestic and continental football next season. Both Nygren and Rodriguez could be gambles, but ones that have worked in the past for a progressive-thinking side.

Brentford – Said El Mala, Jannik Schuster, Matvii Ponomarenko

Reports suggest Brentford are already closing in on a club-record £39 million deal to sign Said El Mala from FC Koln. The 19-year-old scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season and could strike a formidable partnership with Igor Thiago, who could soon face competition for his place from young Dynamo Kyiv bagsman Matvii Ponomarenko.

Brighton & Hove Albion – Zadok Yohanna, Costinha, Charlie Cresswell

Brighton love to unearth hidden gems, and AI believes they could do just that again this summer. Zadok Yohanna is a Swedish winger, known for his directness, while Costinha is a more experienced Portuguese right-back. The most interesting acquisition they are predicted to make, though, is bringing Charlie Cresswell – a former Leeds academy prospect – back to England after his stint with Toulouse.

Chelsea – Mike Maignan, Maxence Lacroix, Morgan Rogers

It’ll come as a bit of a shock that Chelsea haven’t been tipped by AI to sign a winger or one of their former players, considering their penchant to keep dipping their toes into the market for just that. Instead, they are finally expected to part ways with Robert Sanchez, replacing him with one of the best goalkeepers in the world, while also adding Premier League-ready talent in the shape of Lacroix and Rogers.

Coventry City – Carl Rushworth, Caleb Taylor, Troy Parrott

Coventry City’s three signings offer a worrying insight into a recruitment plan that very much relies on Championship-level players stepping up to the big time. Carl Rushworth won the second tier’s Golden Glove last term with the Sky Blues and seems like the best option long-term in between the sticks, but Caleb Taylor and Troy Parrott certainly have a lot to prove.

Crystal Palace – Hayden Hackney, Danilho Doekhi, Jadon Sancho

Surely Jadon Sancho’s time in the Premier League is up? Well, not according to AI, who think Crystal Palace might be the next club to take a chance on him. Following his failures at Man United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, the Eagles can probably bet their bottom dollar on reaping more success from Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough’s own Adam Wharton type midfielder, and Danilho Doekhi, Union Berlin’s powerhouse centre-back.

Everton – Ngal’ayel Mukau, Georgios Vagiannidis, Mohamed Amoura

Everton’s predicted trio of signings look, on paper, like a commentator’s worst nightmare. But, tactically, they all look to have the same physical traits of high energy, strength, and desire – this will no doubt help David Moyes in his transition away from the ageing players within his current squad.

Fulham – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Isaac Price, Solly March

Top of Fulham’s to-do list is finding a new manager after Marco Silva honoured the final year of his contract before seeking a move to Benfica. Until a new head coach is decided, the Cottagers can’t make much progress in the market, and that’s perhaps why they’ve been tipped to have a pretty nondescript summer, focussing on signing players who already know their way around English football.

Hull City – Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Joe Gelhardt, Lewis O’Brien

Before the season gets underway, Hull City will be most bookmakers’ favourites for the drop. Signing experienced players should be the priority as the Tigers prepare for a relegation dogfight, but they’ve instead been linked with players who have had a mixed bag of success in the Premier League, though Lewis O’Brien’s hardworking style could fit Jakirovic’s brand nicely.

Ipswich Town – Enzo Boyomo, Tim Iroegbunam, Victor Munoz

Osasuna will be sick of the sight of Kieran McKenna’s recruitment team if they are twice raided by Ipswich Town – firstly, to nab the Spanish club’s highly-rated defender in Enzo Boyomo, and then again for their young striker, Victor Munoz. They are also tipped to complete a trio of signings that could easily become the spine of their newlook squad with defensive midfielder Tim Iroegbunam.

Leeds United – Harry Wilson, Roony Bardghji, James Trafford

Signing Harry Wilson and Roony Bardghji could completely change Leeds United’s attacking fortunes, especially since they already have Dominic Calvert-Lewin lurking in the opposition box. Finalising their transfer window by bringing in James Trafford could mean Daniel Farke oversees one of the best summers the club has ever seen as they look to consolidate on last season’s successful survival mission.

Liverpool – Yan Diomande, Denzel Dumfries, Adam Wharton

None of Liverpool’s predicted signings need an introduction, which would ordinarily suggest they would be instant hits on Merseyside – particularly Yan Diomande, their priority to replace Mohamed Salah, and Adam Wharton, who has an innate ability to pull the strings from the middle of the park. However, last summer was also an expensive one for the Reds, and so anything could happen.

Manchester City – Elliot Anderson, Pedro Porro, Alexander Nubel

Elliot Anderson would be a very good signing for Man City, who are slowly but surely preparing for life after Rodri. The England international is one of the best system players in the world, and his tempo-setting for both club and country has been instrumental over the last couple years. But signing Pedro Porro looks to pose the same risks as Rayan Ait-Nouri, while Alexander Nubel’s likelihood of dethroning Gianluigi Donnarumma make his potential acquisition a non-event.

Manchester United – Mateus Fernandes, Carles Baleba, Lewis Hall

AI took inspiration from Michael Carrick’s wishlist to come up with three signings Manchester United could make, with the arrival of Mateus Fernandes, Carles Baleba, and Lewis Hall very much in the offing over the next couple months. With Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte leaving, and Ederson already joining from Atalanta, the Red Devils’ midfield could look completely different going into the upcoming campaign.

Newcastle United – Abde Ezzalzouli, Giorgio Scalvini, Hugo Bueno

After scoring 18 goals and registering a further 10 assists for Real Betis last season, Abde Ezzalzouli’s £51 million release clause could be daylight robbery for Newcastle as they look to deal with Anthony Gordon’s exit. The Magpies would then still have enough to profit from Wolves’ relegation to sign Hugo Bueno, while also acquiring the services of Atalanta’s 22-year-old, 6ft4in defender Giorgi Scalvini.

Nottingham Forest – Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jan Ziolkowksi, Maxime Esteve

Nottingham Forest raiding Crystal Palace for Jean-Philippe Mateta would surely be the final nail in the coffin for the latter’s respect for the former, after the same club denied them Europa League qualification two seasons ago. But Forest won’t mind one bit, with them copping a powerful, prolific striker, who can single-handedly turn games on their head surely helping the Tricky Trees rediscover their potential to upset the apple cart.

Sunderland – Yacine Titraoui, Jhon Lucumi, Soufiane El-Faouzi

Yacine Titraoui is a dynamic, press-resistant midfielder who could provide long-term cover for Granit Xhaka, Jhon Lucumi is a ball-playing defender, and Soufiane El-Faouzi is a highly-versatile, tireless midfielder. None of these signings will whet the lips of anyone, but if anyone can get the best out of the unknown quantities, it’s Regis Le Bris, who already has Sunderland punching above their weight anyway.

Tottenham – Savinho, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jonathan David

Tottenham fans will view many of their current players like new signings next season considering how many are returning from long-term injuries. The return of James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, and Mohammed Kudus could be enough alone to help the club avoid ever being dragged into a relegation dogfight again. But, just for safe measure, bringing Savinho, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Jonathan David in would put that notion beyond doubt.