Everyone has a list. You, your barber, that one uncle who still thinks the 1980s was the only era of "real" basketball. But when ESPN drops their version of the top ten NBA players of all time, the sports world basically stops moving for 48 hours just to argue about it.
It’s never just a list. It's a declaration of war for some fanbases.
The most famous iteration of this list came out during the 75th anniversary of the league, and honestly, it’s still the gold standard for how we talk about greatness today. They didn't just throw names in a hat. They used a massive panel of experts—we're talking writers, editors, and analysts—to vote on thousands of head-to-head matchups. The goal? Balancing peak dominance against career-long consistency.
Let's be real: ranking a guy who played in 1960 against a guy who has a personal chef and a high-tech recovery pod in 2026 is a nightmare. But someone has to do it.
The Consensus Top Three (If You Can Even Call It That)
If you look at the top ten NBA players of all time ESPN rankings, the top remains a three-horse race. You’ve got Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Most people agree these are the pillars of the sport, but the order? That’s where the yelling starts.
Michael Jordan sits at #1 for most ESPN iterations. Why? Six Finals, six rings, six Finals MVPs. He never let a series go to seven games in the Finals. That kind of "killer instinct" is what the ESPN panel usually values most. He didn't just win; he broke the spirit of everyone else in the league for a decade.
Then there is LeBron James.
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By early 2026, LeBron has pushed every statistical record into the stratosphere. He’s the all-time scoring leader. He’s top ten in almost everything else. ESPN has consistently ranked him at #2, though as he continues to play at an All-NBA level in his 40s, the "longevity vs. peak" debate gets weirder. LeBron’s career is basically two Hall of Fame careers stacked on top of each other.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar usually rounds out the top three. People forget how absurdly dominant he was. Six MVPs. That's a record that might never be touched. He wasn't flashy like Jordan, but that skyhook was the most unguardable shot in the history of the game. Period.
The Battle of the Big Men: Russell and Wilt
The middle of the list is where things get "kinda" controversial. You have to talk about Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
ESPN typically puts Russell ahead of Wilt because of the rings. Eleven championships in thirteen years is a typo-level statistic. It shouldn't be possible. Russell was the ultimate "stats don't tell the story" guy. He dominated the game through defense and psychology.
On the flip side, Wilt Chamberlain is the guy who is the stat sheet. 100 points in a game. Averaging 50 points for an entire season. ESPN usually slots him in the 5 to 6 range. Critics argue he didn't win enough, but if you look at his physical profile, he was basically a modern athlete dropped into 1962. It wasn't fair.
The 80s Icons: Magic vs. Bird
You can't have a top ten NBA players of all time ESPN list without the two guys who saved the league. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are usually back-to-back.
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- Magic Johnson: Usually takes the #4 or #5 spot. He’s the greatest point guard ever, no question. He won a Finals MVP as a rookie while playing center.
- Larry Bird: Often lands around #7. His peak was as high as anyone's, but his back gave out on him. If Larry had a 20-year career like LeBron, who knows where he’d land?
The Modern Drama: Kobe, Shaq, and Steph
This is the section of the list that keeps Twitter/X alive. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Stephen Curry usually fight for those final spots.
ESPN’s ranking of Kobe at #9 or #10 has historically made Lakers fans lose their minds. They look at the five rings and the "Mamba Mentality." The panel, however, often looks at shooting efficiency and advanced metrics, which can be slightly less kind to Kobe compared to a guy like Shaq.
Speaking of Shaq, he’s the most dominant physical force we’ve ever seen. Between 2000 and 2002, nobody on earth could stop him. He was a cheat code.
And then there's Steph Curry.
Curry is the latest entry into this exclusive club. He didn't just win; he changed how the game is played at every level—from the NBA down to middle school gyms. ESPN has moved him into the top ten because you can't tell the history of basketball without him. He’s the greatest shooter to ever live, and his "gravity" on the court makes life easier for everyone else.
Why Does Tim Duncan Get Ignored?
Honestly, Tim Duncan at #8 is one of the most solid picks ESPN ever made. He wasn't "cool." He didn't have a signature shoe that everyone wore. He just won. Five rings, two MVPs, and nearly 20 years of elite defense. He’s the "Big Fundamental" for a reason. He’s the floor of greatness—if you’re better than Tim Duncan, you’re a god.
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What Most People Get Wrong About These Rankings
The biggest mistake fans make is thinking these lists are about who would win in a 1-on-1 game today. That's not it. ESPN's methodology usually focuses on impact on winning and era dominance.
If you put George Mikan in today's game, he’d struggle. But in his time? He was the king. You have to respect the context.
Another thing: the gap between #1 and #10 is smaller than you think. We're splitting hairs between legends. Choosing between Hakeem Olajuwon (who often gets left out of the top ten in favor of Kobe or Steph) and Shaq is basically a matter of taste. Do you want the footwork and finesse of "The Dream," or the raw power of "The Diesel"?
How to Build Your Own All-Time List
If you're tired of arguing with the top ten NBA players of all time ESPN rankings, try building your own using these three criteria:
- The "Peak" Test: At their absolute best (usually a 3-5 year window), how much better were they than everyone else?
- The "Bus Driver" Test: Can they be the #1 option on a championship team? (Charles Barkley and Karl Malone usually fail this compared to the top ten).
- The "Innovation" Test: Did they change the way the game is played?
The reality is that these rankings will change again by the time the 2027 season rolls around. Victor Wembanyama is already looming. Nikola Jokic is racking up MVPs at a rate that makes the old guard nervous. The list isn't a museum; it's a living document.
Go back and watch the 1990s Bulls or the 1980s Celtics. Check the advanced stats on Basketball-Reference to see how Wilt’s rebounding compares to the modern era. The more you know about the history, the more you realize that ESPN's list is just the start of the conversation, not the end of it.
Start by picking your "Top 5" locks—usually MJ, LeBron, Kareem, Magic, and Russell—and then see how much your heart hurts trying to fill those last five spots. That’s where the real fun begins.