Sports
20 Greatest NBA Players in History Named and Ranked By Fans
The debate regarding who truly is the greatest basketball player of all time is a topic that has always been on the lips of NBA fans. It remains one of the fiercest arguments in all of sport, with a handful of superstars holding equally valid claims to the crown.
To finally settle the debate, the fan-voting platform Ranker put the ultimate question to the public, and the top 20 has been revealed.
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20 greatest NBA players of all time ranked by fans (20-11) |
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|---|---|
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Position |
Player |
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20. |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
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19. |
Dwyane Wade |
|
18. |
David Robinson |
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17. |
Jerry West |
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16. |
Nikola Jokic |
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15. |
Kevin Garnett |
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14. |
Dirk Nowitzki |
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13. |
Kevin Durant |
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12. |
Steph Curry |
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11. |
Hakeem Olajuwon |
10
Bill Russell
There might not be a more prolific winner in the history of North American sports than Bill Russell. Anchoring the legendary Boston Celtics dynasty, Russell collected an unfathomable 11 NBA Championships in just 13 seasons, including eight consecutive titles between 1959 and 1966.
His list of achievements is also staggering: five regular-season MVP awards and 12 All-Star selections. Russell also made history in 1966 when he became the first black head coach in major US professional sports. His defensive genius and unparalleled leadership make him a worthy top-10 lock.
9
Wilt Chamberlain
When Wilt Chamberlain joined the NBA, he was a statistical anomaly that forced the NBA to literally change its rulebook. The 7-foot-1 Philadelphia native holds over 70 NBA records, the most famous being his 100-point game in 1962.
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Chamberlain captured two NBA titles, one with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and another with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972, while picking up four MVP awards along the way. Even with modern debates about the era he played in, the sheer magnitude of Chamberlain’s physical and statistical dominance remains undeniable.
8
Shaquille O’Neal
You would struggle to find a more physically imposing and terrifying force in NBA history than Shaq. O’Neal bulldozed his way to four championship rings, famously teaming up with Kobe Bryant to create one of the most iconic partnerships in NBA history as the Lakers three-peated the championship in the early 2000s.
A three-time Finals MVP and member of the 1996 Olympic “Dream Team”, Shaq was virtually unguardable on his day. In a testament to his lasting impact, three different franchises – the Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, and Miami Heat – have all retired his jersey.
7
Tim Duncan
Nicknamed “The Big Fundamental”, Duncan spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs, quietly transforming them into a dynasty.
Duncan walked away from the sport with five championship rings, three Finals MVPs, and two regular-season MVP awards. Widely considered the greatest power forward to ever pick up a basketball, he remains the only player in NBA history to be selected in both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.
6
Kobe Bryant
The Los Angeles icon, Kobe Bryant, cemented himself as a global phenomenon during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Picking up five NBA championships and delivering a legendary 81-point game in 2006, Bryant’s lethal scoring ability and obsessive drive to win made him one of the most feared competitors in sport history. The 18-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medallist tragically passed away in 2020, but his cultural impact and legacy as an all-time great are forever remembered by those connected to the game.
5
Magic Johnson
Before the high-flying heroics of the modern era, there was Magic. Standing at a towering 6-foot-9, Magic Johnson revolutionised the point guard position, orchestrating the famous “Showtime Lakers” of the 1980s with a dazzling array of no-look passes and fast-break offence.
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Spending his entire career in purple and gold, Johnson secured five NBA championships, three MVP awards, and three Finals MVPs. He is universally recognised as one of the greatest floor generals to ever step onto the court.
4
Larry Bird
Larry Bird was the ultimate all-around forward and one of the deadliest shooters the league has ever witnessed. Long before the three-point revolution, “Larry Legend” was stretching defences and single-handedly redefining the small forward position.
The undisputed star of the iconic 1980s Boston Celtics squad, Bird captured three NBA championships in the 1980s and managed the incredibly rare feat of winning three consecutive regular-season MVP awards. A legendary trash-talker with the skills to back it up, Bird’s iconic rivalry with Magic Johnson revitalised the NBA and laid the groundwork for its modern success.
3
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Across an astonishing 20-year career split between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, Kareem secured six NBA championships, 19 All-Star nods, and a record-setting six regular-season MVP awards.
Armed with the unblockable “skyhook” shot, Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA’s all-time scoring record for nearly four decades with 38,387 points.
2
LeBron James
LeBron James is the defining player of the 21st century. Having shattered the seemingly unbreakable all-time scoring record, recently surging past an astronomical 43,000 regular-season points, LeBron’s longevity and sustained peak are completely unprecedented in basketball history.
Boasting four NBA championships with three different franchises, LeBron’s historic 2016 Finals comeback against the Golden State Warriors remains his crowning achievement. Now into his 40s and remarkably still producing at an elite level, his all-around prowess on the court keeps him consistently in the GOAT conversation.
1
Michael Jordan
It comes as no surprise that the fans have crowned “His Airness” with the number one spot. With a flawless 6-0 record in the NBA Finals and six Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan dominated basketball, but also transcended sport entirely.
Holding the highest regular-season scoring average in NBA history (30.1 points per game), Jordan was breathtakingly athletic. He defined the culture of 1990s basketball and became a global billionaire icon off the court through his legendary Air Jordan partnership with Nike. For the fans, MJ remains the undisputed greatest of all time.
Sports
Tottenham Submit £120,000-a-Week Offer to Man City Star Savinho
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a £120,000-a-week contract offer to Manchester City forward Savinho, according to a reliable insider.
Having staved off the threat of relegation, Tottenham now look ready to make a real statement in the summer transfer market.
Not only do Spurs chiefs need to back the manager who saved them from dropping into the Championship, but they need to build a squad that significantly improves on two successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League.
After two disappointing seasons, it is imperative and likely that there will be a number of player exits, but Roberto De Zerbi will also want to add multiple new faces to his team too.
Tottenham have already agreed their first two signings of the summer, both on free transfers, in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi following their exits from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.
There had been some talk that Liverpool could hijack the Senesi deal after Andonio Iraola’s appointment at Anfield, but that has been played down by GIVEMESPORT sources.
Changes to the north London outfit’s frontline are also likely, with Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain following his loan spell, while doubts have been raised over the futures of Mathys Tel and Richarlison.
Tottenham Confident of Reaching Savinho Agreement
Tottenham wanted to sign Savinho from Manchester City last summer but a deal ultimately failed to materialise.
Now, Spurs are back in for him, and they want to get a transfer over the line this time around with a move progressing, according to Fabrizio Romano.
According to one reliable City insider account on X, the north London outfit have offered the Brazilian a deal worth around £120,000-a-week to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The ‘extraordinary’ 22-year-old’s salary went up to £92,000-a-week, plus bonuses, last summer following Spurs’ interest, with City informing their Premier League rivals they would need to pay in excess of £60m to land a top target.
Nevertheless, there is ‘confidence’ that an agreement will be reached between all parties.
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Savinho Signing Would Raise More Questions Over Mathys Tel
If Savinho does arrive at Tottenham in a big-money swoop, you would assume he would immediately lock down the left-wing position in De Zerbi’s starting XI.
That would instantly raise question marks over Mathys Tel’s role in the team moving forward, even though De Zerbi has labelled him as a ‘big talent’.
The Frenchman is able to play as a striker as well as on the left-hand side, but it was the latter position that he featured in mostly for Spurs in the final weeks of the season, with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke preferred in the centre-forward position, when the latter was fit.
Spurs could look to bring in a new striker this summer and if Savinho also arrives, then it might be the bench at best for Tel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One report this week has suggested that the player is looking to leave the club after just 12 months, with Bournemouth and FC Porto already making enquiries about signing the 21-year-old.
He scored four goals in 31 Premier League appearances for Tottenham this season.
Sports
Man Utd Want to Sign Everton Star Iliman Ndiaye
Manchester United’s attacking options are set to receive a boost this summer, and the club have now added a new option to their shortlist of potential arrivals.
The Red Devils secured their place in next season’s Champions League by finishing third in the Premier League, with manager Michael Carrick securing more points in the division than anyone else since he was appointed in January.
But with a busier schedule now set for next season as a result, the team needs reinforcements to ensure their level doesn’t drop, and Carrick has identified one Premier League star as an option.
Man Utd Eyeing Iliman Ndiaye Deal
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd are eyeing up a deal for Everton star Iliman Ndiaye this summer.
Ndiaye, who has been described as ‘one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League’, enjoyed a fine season with the Toffees in the most recent campaign, registering six goals and three assists as they finished in mid-table.
It has since emerged that the Senegal international is refusing to commit to a new contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the potential for a move to a Champions League club emerges.
No official move has been made for Ndiaye at this point, but it’s previously been reported that the 26-year-old views a move to Old Trafford as his ‘dream move’, which could make their interest materialise later in the window.
Everton do not want to sell their star forward, but United view his versatility as a key attribute as he can play on both wings or as a number ten, which could see him fit in perfectly alongside the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
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Ndiaye Would Be Classic Man Utd Signing
When Man Utd have been at their best over the years, it’s usually when they take the best players from other Premier League clubs and add them to their squad to become stronger.
Ndiaye would be one of those classic signings, but it won’t come cheap. Everton are adamant they won’t lose him cheaply, and while he still has three years remaining on his contract, they have plenty of leverage to make a deal difficult to do.
But Ndiaye could potentially push for a deal, and Man Utd have shown that they are ready to stump up the cash whenever they deem it to be necessary. This is certainly one to watch going forward.
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Sports
Tottenham Working to Sign Cody Gakpo From Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur are working on a move for unhappy Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo, according to SoccerNews.
Tottenham chiefs are working hard on strengthening Roberto De Zerbi’s squad after a second successive disastrous Premier League season, which saw them finish 17th again and escape relegation to the Championship on the final day.
The Lewis Family have already confirmed that they can’t let these two seasons be repeated, with the north London outfit expected to back their manager and make a big splash in the summer transfer window when it opens on June 15.
Spurs appear to be looking at bolstering their squad in multiple positions, with two deals already agreed to strengthen a backline that conceded 57 goals in 38 top flight games this term.
Marcos Senesi will join Andy Robertson at the club after completing free transfer moves from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively, unless there is a last-minute hitch, and the duo look to be two smart deals right at the beginning of the summer.
Tottenham need reinforcements in attack too, with the club not expected to sign Randal Kolo Muani on a permanent basis following a loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain, while doubts have been raised over the future of two more forwards in Richarlison and Mathys Tel.
Tottenham Have ‘Serious’ Interest in Cody Gakpo
According to Dutch-based outlet SoccerNews, Gakpo is keen to leave Liverpool following the exit of Arne Slot as manager, with doubts over whether he will be a preferred option for new boss Andoni Iraola on the left wing.
SoccerNews claim that Tottenham are ‘seriously’ interested in prising the Netherlands international away from Anfield this summer, just 12 months after he signed a new £250,000-a-week deal to remain on Merseyside.
Spurs and De Zerbi are hoping to convince the attacker to make the move to London, as they work on a plan that would see him leave Anfield for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham see Gakpo as the perfect player for their big summer rebuild, although they could face competition from other Premier League clubs, as well as teams in Spain and Germany.
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Tottenham Progressing With Savinho Deal
Tottenham making a serious push for Gakpo would be a surprise unless they end up failing to secure a deal for top target Savinho from Manchester City.
Fabrizio Romano has already reported that a Spurs move for the Brazilian is progressing, 12 months on from another attempt to bring him to London from Manchester.
One insider has suggested that Tottenham have already lodged a contract offer worth £120,000-a-week to the 22-year-old, as they look to add him to their frontline ahead of next season.
Like Gakpo, Savinho favours playing from the left-hand side and it’s hard to see how Tottenham could sign both, unless he see one of them playing a different role.
One thing in Spurs’ favour is the fact that Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons are already at the club, and they could help convince their Dutch compatriot to join them despite a horrendous 2025-26 season.
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