TOP 100 PLAYERS ALL TIME

For the last year and a half I've really been into the history of this amazing sport, but I've been a fan my whole life. My hobby is list making, I love ranking things and then going back months later to see how much I've changed and learned. In the spirit of learning even more I wanted to post my opinion and have meaningful breakdowns and discussions. I made a TOP 60 list for each position now the top 100! I did my best to account for ERA within reason though. I value Peak over Longevity but value both very much. This was difficult and I'm learning everyday so if you disagree or I forgot someone, break it down for me and I'll hear you out. I’ve made changes to each list after having some awesome discussions. Please share your thoughts! I'll do my best to get every comment.

RULES: 

1. You must have played at least 5 years after the 1959-1960 season to be eligible 
2. To be considered for the list you must have played a minimum of 320 games 
3. ABA and NBA counts but the eras apart will be considered weaker eras  
4. Accomplishments before the year cut off will be considered but weighed weaker
5. Shout out to Victor Wenbanyama, George Mikan, Paul Arizin, Jack Twyman, Dolph Schayes, and Bob Cousy all not eligible but all worth the shout out   

I included my take on Jordan V LeBron because I figured that was going to get brought up in the comments. I know I have a couple of controversial opinions, I have Timmy D at 5, Wilt at 15, Bill outside the top 10, Kyrie and Stockton lower than most, SGA on the list despite being so young, and more. I would love to discuss these but if your comment is just “list is bad”, “you don't know ball” “ Blank at insert ranking here!? Are you Stupid?” save your time. If you don't care enough to explain your opinion than I don't care enough to respond to it. But if you break it down and keep it about Basketball I’m going to be thrilled to respond! I love this sport and did literally hours of research for this, but I am human and get stuff wrong all the time, so call me out politely and break it down for me. Any time I can learn more about this amazing sport I'm ecstatic! Have an amazing day and enjoy the list! 
  

1. SG Michael Jordan
   14x AS, 3x STL Champ, 10x Scoring Champ, 11x ANBA, 9x ADEF, ROY, AROK,
   1x DPOY, 3x AS MVP, 5x MVP, 6X FINALS MVP, Averaged <30ppg 8 times, 6 chips
   Beat 3 straight finals opponents that had 60+ wins 

2. F LeBron James
   22x AS, 1x AST Champ, 1x Scoring Champ, 21x ANBA, 6x ADEF, ROY, AROK
   1x IST MVP, 3x AS MVP, 4x MVP, 4x Finals MVP, Averaged <30ppg 2 times, 4 chips
   Beat the greatest regular season team of all time in the finals 

   THE GOAT DEBATE 
   Jordan has simply accomplished more at his peak. He has more scoring titles than anyone in NBA history—and it isn’t close—along with more MVPs than Bron Bron, more 30-point-per-game seasons than The Akron Hammer, a DPOY,  more All-Defensive selections, and more Finals MVPs. If we include Olympic basketball and college basketball, that comparison favors Jordan heavily as well as all he knows is gold.
   Longevity is where LeBron has the clear edge. A peak that has lasted roughly 20 years is truly incredible. His cumulative numbers are insane—the most points in NBA history while also ranking near the top of the all-time assists list is undeniably LeGOAT-level production. The way LeBron takes care of his body and conditions himself might be the best we’ve ever seen. However, when it comes to durability within individual seasons, Jordan has an advantage. Jordan played over 80 regular-season games in 10 of his 13 full seasons, and in 7 of those he played all 82 games. LeBron, despite playing many more seasons overall, has played 80+ games only three times and all 82 games just once.
   Looking at per-game production: Jordan leads in
   • Points per game: 30.1 vs 26.7
   • Steals per game: 2.3 vs 1.5
   • Blocks per game: 0.83 vs 0.71
   • Free-throw percentage: 83.5% vs 73.7%
   • Turnovers per game: 2.7 vs 3.5
   LeBron leads in
   • Assists per game: 7.4 vs 5.3
   • Rebounds per game: 7.4 vs 6.2
   • Field-goal percentage: 50.6% vs 49.7%
   • Three-point percentage: 35% vs 33%
   Looking at advanced analytics strengthens Jordan’s case as well.
   Jordan led the league in PER (Player Efficiency Rating) 7 times compared to LeBron’s 6. He also finished in the top three 10 times, compared to LeBron’s 9. Jordan holds the highest PER in both regular-season and playoff history. The same pattern appears with Win Shares. Jordan led the league 8 times and finished top three 11 times, while LeBron led the league 5 times and finished top three 6 times.
   Taking all of this together—peak dominance, accolades, per-game production, and advanced metrics—is why I ultimately have Jordan over LeBron.
   Respect to both guys though. I can see the other argument too and I’m never salty when I see them swapped for 1 and 2. 

3. C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

4. PG Magic Johnson

5. PF/C Tim Duncan

6. SG Kobe Bryant

7. PG Stephen Curry

8. SF Larry Bird

9. C Shaquille O'Neal

10. C Hakeem Olajuwon

11. C Bill Russell

12. SF Julius Erving

13. C Nikola Jokic

14. F Kevin Durant

15. C Wilt Chamberlain

16. PG Oscar Robinson

17. C David Robinson

18. PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

19. C Moses Malone

20. PF Kevin Garnett

21. G Jerry West

22. PF Dirk Nowitzki

23. SG Dwayne Wade

24. SF Kawhi Leonard

25. PG Isiah Thomas

26. PG Chris Paul

27. SF Elgin Baylor

28. PF Karl Malone

29. PF Charles Barkley

30. C Patrick Ewing

31. G James Harden

32. G Allen Iverson

33. PF Bob Petit

34. SF John Havlicek

35. SF Scottie Pippen

36. SG Clyde Drexler

37. SG George Gervin

38. SF Rick Barry

39. PF Kevin McHale

40. PG Steve Nash

41. PG John Stockton

42. C Dwight Howard

43. PG Jason Kidd

44. C Bill Walton

45. C Artis Gilmore

46. SF Jayson Tatum

47. PF/C Elvin Hayes

48. C/PF Anthony Davis

49. C Bob McAdoo

50. SF Paul Pierce

51. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

52. PG Russell Westbrook

53. PF/C Pau Gasol

54. C Robert Parrish

55. SF Dominique Wilkins

56. PF Chris Webber

57. SG Reggie Miller

58. SG Ray Allen

59. PG Luka Doncic

60. PG Tony Parker

61. PF/C Chris Bosh

62. C Joel Embiid

63. SG Joe Dumars

64. C Willis Reed

65. SG Klay Thompson

66. SF James Worthy

67. SF Jimmy Butler

68. PG Walt Frazier

69. SG Sam Jones

70. PG Gary Payton

71. C Dave Cowens

72. PG Damian Lillard

73. C Nate Thurmond

74. PG Tiny Archibald

75. PF Dennis Rodman

76. PG Kyrie Irving

77. SG Sidney Moncrief

78. SF Paul George

79. C Wes Unseld

80. SF Alex English

81. PF Draymond Green

82. SG Vince Carter

83. SG Manu Ginobili

84. SF Billy Cunningham

85. PG Dennis Johnson

86. C Ben Wallace

87. C Dikembe Mutombo 

88. PG Derrick Rose

89. PG Dave Bing

90. SG Hal Greer

91. C Alonzo Mourning

92. PF Jerry Lucas

93. PF Dave DeBusschere

94. PG Chauncy Billups

95. SG/SF Jaylen Brown

96. SF Grant Hill

97. SF Bernard King

98. SG David Thompson

99. SG Anthony Edwards

100. PF LaMarcus Aldridge

First 20 Off (in no particular Order) Blake Griffin, Penny Hardaway, Kevin Johnson, Mitch Richmond, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Amar'e Stoudemire, Spencer Haywood, Tom Heinsohn, George McGinnis, Kevin Love, Shawn Kemp, Bob Lanier, Lenny Wilkens, Earl Monroe, Pete Maravich, Yao Ming, Buck Williams, Bobby Jones, DeMar DeRozan

Hardest Names to leave off the 100- Blake Griffin, Bob Lanier, and Penny Hardaway