most influential basketball players of all time

Over the course of his first five seasons, he averaged 30.3 points, 10.6 assists and 10.4 rebounds, numbers that seem absurd now. Where did all-time greats such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan place? The top 10 was less of a list of influential players, and more like a ranking of the best players ever. His entire career was built upon accepting nothing. When he tore his right rotator cuff, he just started shooting left-handed. He has developed six NBA Draft picks, six All-Americans, three conference Players of the Year, and 21 all-conference selections during his time with the Irish. As Steve Kerr told Chris Haynes, "The crossover, in my mind, changed the way players played. But the Knicks' physical, all-defense approach was extremely influential, contributing to a subsequent decline in NBA scoring and fan appeal. As a former member of the Phi Slama Jama "fraternity" at the University of Houston, and alongside his Twin Tower Ralph Sampson, Olajuwon took the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals in his second season. Unlike many other coaches, the "Zen Master" believed in guiding players with a light, almost spiritual touch, as spelled out in influential books like "Sacred Hoops" and "More Than a Game.". His signature rampaging dunks still show up on NBA highlight reels, and he was remorseless in delivering hard fouls. At just 6-feet, Iverson was still one of the most dynamic scorers in NBA history -- more relentless and improvisational than refined, and able to get buckets on fast-break dunks, impossible layups and jumpers from any spot on the floor. While it's one thing to debate over who are the greatest players in NBA history based upon on-court accomplishments and skill, it's another thing to debate "influence." Today, it's normal for Ronaldo to own hotels, gyms and shampoo. That clause's annihilation and the free agency that sprung from its ashes now shapes the modern economic and labor structure of the NBA. San Diego Rockets (1967-70), Los Angeles Lakers (1970-75), Phoenix Suns (1975-76); Lakers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat (head coach, 1981-2003, 2005-08). "We're talking about practice. The hard brevity of "Shaq!" Which two current NBA players made the cut? Though Chuck Cooper was the first black player drafted, Earl Lloyd was the first to play in an actual game. Milwaukee Bucks (1969-75), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89). is also a reminder of his powerful, overwhelming presence on the court. LeBron James' decision, ESPN's coverage of every summer's free-agent bonanza, and the NBA's own promotion of blockbuster signings and trades depended on Robertson's steadfast refusal to accept the unfair status quo. The players that you will see on this list have had a profound influence on how the game is played in 2018 along with tackling numerous social issues that we've seen in America over the past half-century. Curry will go down as not only the avatar of the NBA's Golden Age of Shooting, but as the inspiration for generations of kids who see him as the model for how to refine their skills and overcome bigger, more athletic players. Houston Rockets (1984-2001), Toronto Raptors (2001-02). And now he's trying to bring a whole new Laker generation to fruition as team president. "Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird -- first as hated rivals, then as friends -- did more than any other pair of players to bring the NBA into the modern era we still enjoy today. • Game Changers: 50-26 By Eduardo Villalpando January 9, 2021 2:04 AM In 1995, he led the underdog sixth-seeded Rockets back to the title, defeating four teams that had won 57 games or more, a challenge no champion has faced before or since. -- Arnovitz, Teams The bespeckled Mikan's play was the catalyst -- even if unintended -- for revving up the pace and speed of basketball. James' actions off the court have set new standards and created new goals for so many of his peers, a form of respect in any profession. Post #1 » by youngthegiant » Thu Aug 6, 2020 3:31 am Just how Steph Curry and the Warriors changed 3pt shooting across the league. -- Harris, Teams First, with his play on the court, which is occasionally forgotten but is the foundation of his appeal: An 11-time NBA All-Star for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, the 1993 MVP led the Suns to their last NBA Finals appearance 25 years ago. And Garnett is a regular on TNT's broadcast from his "Area 21" set. And, in the realm of basketball, some consider him to be the greatest of all time. In 2012, when James and Dwyane Wade organized their Miami Heat teammates to pose for a team photo in hoodies following the death of Trayvon Martin, it changed the way NBA players used social media. His earnest critiques of wide-ranging issues from civil rights to popular culture have been rigorous and elegantly expressed.". Individually he was a savant. -- Spears. The Big O was the first guard to shoot 50 percent for a season and the first player to average over 10 assists per game. Players now routinely take control of announcing their big career decisions and use crafted essays to explain themselves. That deal would alter the course of the NBA, enabling Boston -- who also acquired Ray Allen that year -- to make the biggest single-season improvement in league history and win the 2008 NBA championship. Influence -- Harris, Teams But as much as the Doctor has been praised for his highlight dunks, cool personality, voluminous afro and flair that carried the ABA and NBA for almost two decades, his actual play is still undervalued. For Abdul-Jabbar, speaking up is nothing new. Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-68), Los Angeles Lakers (1968-73). Just as teams used to look for another Michael Jordan or another Tim Duncan, they now have their sights set on finding another Nowitzki, from no matter where. Influence That's a distinction that will carry a great honor for him as he has always wanted to be known as a playmaker and not just as a scorer. • Game Changers: 100-76 The hard brevity of "Shaq!" They then went out to find their Tim Duncan, so that they could fashion a team culture modeled after the Spurs. "The greatest winner in American team sports. Five time NBA champion with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant has spent his entire career with the Lakers, where he is the top scorer with 33,643 points. Los Angeles Lakers (1960-74; head coach 1976-79). When we discuss NBA players, we always talk about "greatness.". MOST definately Larry Bird, the best basketball … Diana Taurasi West's jumper -- its economy, quick release, silky follow-through -- made him the league's most efficient shooter during his prime. Influence Numerous publications have dubbed LeBron James "the greatest basketball player of all time" — after all, he is King James. Influence Former professional basketball player, Allen Iverson, is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of all time. Not a game. "The triple-double. Obviously shots were blocked before Russell, but he turned the act into a psychologically and physically devastating art form. "West was a paragon of consistent excellence who was an All-Star in each of his 14 seasons, and helped guide the Lakers to nine Finals appearances. When questioned why he'd do such a thing, he defiantly responded, 'Why? Influence Our NBA panel -- with members from across ESPN, including TV, radio, ESPN.com, The Undefeated and ESPN The Magazine -- voted more than 11,000 times to select the top 90 game-changers, and a smaller committee of writers and editors selected the final 10. Influence The list of James' accomplishments since entering the league are well known, but he's continuing to write his story and refine his legacy. To date, he is the only player to win all three awards in the same season. Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird -- first as hated rivals, then as friends -- did more than any other pair of players to bring the NBA into the modern era we still enjoy today. "He's the greatest shooter to ever step on the court," Warriors teammate Kevin Durant said during the preseason. Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player. -- Chris Herring, Teams In 1972, when his Lakers won the title, they set a new record of 69 wins total and a 33-game win streak that is the standard in all of professional sports. Over the course of his first five seasons, he averaged 30.3 points, 10.6 assists and 10.4 rebounds, numbers that seem absurd now. Bryant's 1996 announcement from his high school gym that he was headed to the NBA came when that was still considered a brash move, but when the Lakers traded for him at the draft, stardom seemed assured. To note that he won national college player of the year, three MVP awards, three NBA titles and a gold medal as an aging member of the Dream Team seems almost beside the point. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlain…in his first four professional seasons. So, that's Russell the winner. We still see his influence in ways big and small: kids wagging their tongues; the raging popularity of basketball in China; post-up players leaning backward into defenders before making their move. Lloyd would later go on to be the first black player to win an NBA title and serve as an assistant coach. When he tore his right rotator cuff, he just started shooting left-handed. His game-changing ability -- particularly on defense, for which he made 12 All-Defensive teams -- was constantly apparent in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves still haven't made a postseason trip since 2004, the year he won the MVP award and three years before Garnett initially left the franchise via trade. Riley's Knicks were beloved locally and despised by rivals -- Phil Jackson accused them of playing football, not basketball. Mike D'Antoni might have been the intellectual godfather of the "7 Seconds or Less" movement, but two-time MVP Steve Nash was the engine that propelled it. Playing 48.5 minutes a game for an entire season. His play saved the Lakers franchise financially, and yet when he gracefully retired early in the 1971-72 season, that's when the team went on a record-setting win streak and finally won the championship. On the other end, West was a rugged, handsy competitor, whose defensive crouch and laser focus tormented opposing guards. Though West is best known to many later-generation fans as a swashbuckling front office executive who presided over the Lakers' dynasty of the 1980s, he was the defining combo guard of his time, a natural to serve as the silhouette for the NBA's iconic logo. Sure, appreciate the sinuous finger rolls, the effortless cradle-rocking dunks, and the soaring free-throw-line slam that left humanity bewildered in 1976. We're counting down the 100 most influential players in NBA history. -- Harris, Teams The greatest winner in American team sports. , "He epitomized qualities the city of Boston loves: fearless, gritty, arrogant, passionate and relentless. In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexual assault in Colorado -- the charge was eventually dropped when the accuser declined to testify, Bryant issued an apology and the parties settled a civil suit out of court. Counting stats are a tribute to longevity, but his game-changing hasn't been just about volume. But it was Chamberlain's spectacular persona that mattered as much as his accomplishments. Cincinnati Royals (1960-70), Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74). One of Boston's best clutch athletes of all time." Minneapolis Lakers (1947-54, 1956; head coach 1957-58). Exemplifying his domination was a famous marquee at Madison Square Garden declaring "George Mikan vs. the New York Knicks." And that's not including the 100-point game, which someone could conceivably top one day. James' actions off the court have set new standards and created new goals for so many of his peers, a form of respect in any profession.". He has starred on TNT's "Inside the NBA" for years, and is outspoken on racial issues and every other topic that comes to mind. His dazzling passing at 6-foot-9 thrilled NBA fans as nothing before had done. As the Spurs continued their reign of excellence and resilience, winning titles despite inferior athletic talent, the rest of the league looked to imitate them. Iverson led the league in scoring four times and steals three times, and those skills went hand in hand, as he gambled and scored fearlessly. This aspect of his personality led to clashes with O'Neal, and their feud contributed to O'Neal's departure in a trade to Miami, making Bryant the sole face of the Lakers. During the 1964 All-Star Game strike, Tom Heinsohn recalled that Lakers owner Bob Short yelled at someone, "You go tell Elgin Baylor that if he doesn't get his ass out here fast, I'm done with him!'" Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007), Boston Celtics (2007-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15), Timberwolves (2015-16). But as much as the Doctor has been praised for his highlight dunks, cool personality, voluminous afro and flair that carried the ABA and NBA for almost two decades, his actual play is still undervalued.". As perhaps the most popular sports broadcaster of today, Barkley is entertaining whether he's saying something provocative, hurling an insult or dropping a hilarious or self-deprecating line. Unlike with baseball and Jackie Robinson, integration in the NBA hinged not on a single player but on multiple players arriving in 1950, three years after Robinson's MLB debut. Our NBA panel -- with members from across ESPN, including TV, radio, ESPN.com, The Undefeated and ESPN The Magazine -- voted more than 11,000 times to select the top 90 game-changers, and a smaller committee of writers and editors selected the final 10.". As Stephen Curry, LeBron James and other stars create a brand-new NBA before our very eyes, we decided to present the 5 most influential NBA players of all time. Does that make him a button pusher or a master of preparation? West was a paragon of consistent excellence who was an All-Star in each of his 14 seasons, and helped guide the Lakers to nine Finals appearances. "The magnitude of Abdul-Jabbar's prolific contributions to basketball, both as player and citizen, are unparalleled. Fans across the nation line up hours before tipoff to get a glimpse of his warm-up routine. They also turned off some fans, and Iverson certainly played a role in the NBA instituting a dress code in 2005. You also can follow along @ESPNNBA and on Facebook. That says it all, but not everything. Starting with Air Jordan sneakers, which led to his own Jordan Brand, which led to him buying majority control of the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan blazed a trail for athletes to escape the plantation, buy the Big House, and sit on the porch with their feet up, smoking a cigar. "Garnett's legacy is secure for any number of reasons. Virginia Squires (1971-73), New York Nets (1973-76), Philadelphia 76ers (1976-87). Despite being known as the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers, James actually won two of his three championship titles with the Miami Heat. "James changed the paradigm for what a basketball prodigy was, and there still hasn't been anyone quite like him since. Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10), Miami Heat (2010-14), Cavaliers (2014-present). Just as otherworldly was his approach to the game. Kobe Bryant followed in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, but he was also a maverick -- a brilliant, driven talent who made his own path and got tens of millions of fans to follow. George Mikan carried pro basketball for the decade following World War II and nearly broke the sport. After his career as a role player and a short stint as a broadcaster, Riley took over the Showtime Lakers and led them to four championships, quickly gaining popularity as a stylish sideline manager -- indeed "The Winner Within" is one of the most successful sports-based management books ever. Bird won three championships but could have easily had a handful more had his teammates matched his intensity ... and if his body hadn't so cruelly betrayed him in his final years. Influence Few centers have passed the ball as well as Russell and he was the first player to turn the dunk into a routine weapon. But leave behind the triple-double. ". The man had game, on and off the court. Regardless of the quirks, Baylor is a titan of the sport and human dignity. His signature rampaging dunks still show up on NBA highlight reels, and he was remorseless in delivering hard fouls. Where do you start with Charles Barkley? ... in Duke basketball history. He won Olympic gold in 1960. Practice." God gave us two hands.'" Along with 16 all-star games and three MVPs, James is a three time world champion. In 1947, Wat Misaka joined the BAA (forerunner of the NBA) to become the league's first non-white player and the first player of Asian descent. "Jordan transformed the style and substance of basketball, expanding the scope and meaning of athletic achievement. "I don't have any delusions that I'm shining a bright light through the political and social jungle to guide our way, but I do hope that I'm adding some value to the national discussion and maybe helping people understand the causes of our polarity and how we might make things a little better," Abdul-Jabbar told Smithsonian magazine in 2016. That, too, is a fact.'" That one's untouchable. As an individual talent, he was astounding -- he posted a quadruple-double, led the league in rebounds and blocks, and was a perennial All-NBA and All-Defense selection -- even as Sampson and the Rockets faltered. As LeBron James, Stephen Curry and other stars create a new NBA before our eyes -- while standing on the shoulders of giants -- we are presenting the 100 NBA players who have done the most to change the way we play the game, how we talk about the game, and the culture of basketball. He had 181 triple-doubles in his career, an NBA record. He appeared in the Finals eight times and set a Finals single-game record of 61 points, but never won a title. Two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, an MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 12-time All-Star. At just 6-feet, Iverson was still one of the most dynamic scorers in NBA history -- more relentless and improvisational than refined, and able to get buckets on fast-break dunks, impossible layups and jumpers from any spot on the floor. According to one shoe executive, Bronny is the most influential high-school athlete of all time, as reported by 247sports.com. As Ramona Shelburne wrote: "He traded everything -- his friends, his family, his identity, his body, ultimately his humanity -- in pursuit of basketball immortality. For years, every short power forward was compared to Barkley, known as "The Round Mound of Rebound" for his physique. With the reach of the NBA increasing daily, it is time to take a look at the most influential players the NBA has had in the last 20 years at each position. I'm like trying to direct from the sidelines a little bit, plays and stuff, set, but was gone. Adande captured the essence of his impact: "He has celebrated almost 18 birthdays -- the equivalent of a legal coming-of-age -- since that Nov. 7, 1991, news conference in which he announced he was HIV-positive. So he was groundbreaking with that move because it was a hesitation into the crossover that nobody had really done before. He has a chance to move into the top 50 all time in total rebounds next season as well. Averaging 50 points a game for a season? Just those credentials would easily secure him a place on this list. Even from a style and cultural standpoint, Garnett is still relevant: His fiery intensity remains legendary, as demonstrated by his trendsetting move of jumping to block jumpers after the whistle, intended to intimidate and break the confidence of opponents. Bronny James, son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar and future Hall of Famer LeBron James, is a high-school basketball phenomenon with great following in the basketball and the media world. Jackson's consistent success as a coach seemed surreal, as he showed up in the Finals year after year, leading the Bulls and Lakers to the three three-peats (the first since Bill Russell's Celtics) before finally losing in the Finals -- and then tacked on two more titles before retiring from coaching, to go along with the two he won as a player. Without those well-rounded skills, he might be remembered as a circus act. And he was a freelancing terror off the ball, pilfering over 2,000 steals and racking up nearly 2,000 blocks. James' personal essay in Sports Illustrated when he returned to Cleveland in 2014 came four months before The Players' Tribune launched. Yet Curry's supremacy as a shooter transcends the ledger: He also changed the definition of what constitutes a quality shot from the field in an NBA game. And stardom did follow quickly, as Bryant was voted the youngest All-Star starter in history even before he was a Lakers starter. Adande captured the essence of his impact. Within a decade of the debuts of Lloyd, Cooper, Clifton and Barksdale, the NBA had many black players, including MVPs Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Yes, that's longer than a regulation 48-minute game, so obviously that's not being broken either. He's the NBA's all-time leading scorer, a six-time champion and most valuable player, and he patented the skyhook. The first thing to truly set him apart: He was the first player in 20 years to go straight to the NBA from high school without enrolling in college -- a decision that has helped make him the highest-earning player in NBA history and a role model for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and dozens more. His earnest critiques of wide-ranging issues from civil rights to popular culture have been rigorous and elegantly expressed. His antitrust lawsuit, Robertson v. NBA, destroyed the reserve clause that tied a player to an NBA team in perpetuity. Bird won three championships but could have easily had a handful more had his teammates matched his intensity ... and if his body hadn't so cruelly betrayed him in his final years. -- Webb, Teams Unreachable. By this time, Bryant was developing a reputation as not only a great clutch shooter but a gritty, intense player -- a persona he would call Black Mamba, inspired by a character in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films. "Before you start handing out applause and credit to anyone else in this organization for anything that's been accomplished, remember it all starts with and goes through Timmy," said Gregg Popovich on the eve of the 2014 Finals. But there are so many answers to why "The Answer" was a game changer. The 55-rebound game? ", "Riley's reach across the decades has shaped and reshaped the NBA. His dazzling passing at 6-foot-9 thrilled NBA fans as nothing before had done. Chamberlain set a slew of records, some of which will never be broken. As Jackie MacMullan wrote, "He epitomized qualities the city of Boston loves: fearless, gritty, arrogant, passionate and relentless. After his career as a role player and a short stint as a broadcaster, Riley took over the Showtime Lakers and led them to four championships, quickly gaining popularity as a stylish sideline manager -- indeed "The Winner Within" is one of the most successful sports-based management books ever.". Curry has a tremendous and loyal following as he is not only a fantastic basketball player but has also done amazing work off of the court through charity, donations, and public service. So without further ado, let's count down the five most influential Major League baseball players of all-time. • Game Changers: 100-76 • Game Changers: ... are unparalleled. Yes, "The Decision" broadcast was panned for its poor taste, but the concept has aged well. As Ramona Shelburne wrote: "He traded everything -- his friends, his family, his identity, his body, ultimately his humanity -- in pursuit of basketball immortality. Off the court, he protested segregated hotels and restaurants. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. New York Knicks (1967-78), New Jersey Nets (1978-80); Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers (head coach, 1989-2011). Along with having won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, he's a 7-time NBA All-Star, and arguably one of the 50 greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. In 2007, after the Lakers failed to build a contender, he angrily requested a trade, but reversed course after the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol in 2008 and won titles in 2009 and 2010, declaring himself a Laker for life. Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James are some of the most influential players in the NBA. Influence For years, every short power forward was compared to Barkley, known as "The Round Mound of Rebound" for his physique. Olajuwon was truly a two-way great, something you can’t say about most … Influence Erving, regarded as one of the most influential players of all-time, was known for his "above-the-rim" style of play while playing in both the ABA and NBA. After he ruptured his Achilles, he looked Lakers trainer Gary Vitti in the eye and asked whether he could still play. Most Influential Basketball Trainer of the Decade Being an NBA skills coach used to be a job until Chris Brickley turned it into a lifestyle. He was an unstoppable force, whether on the break or on the boards, and he could pass and score. He also was the spiritual leader of basketball's most admired organization. For this special edition of #NBArank, we asked our panel to choose the players who have influenced the game most, both on and off the court: the real game-changers. '", "West was a paragon of consistent excellence who was an All-Star in each of his 14 seasons, and helped guide the Lakers to nine Finals appearances. The triple-double. So I'm going, 'This is great! He is 11th active Division I coach to earn 400 or more victories at his current institution and he is 23rd on the active career wins list with 516 overall. But the honors did arrive at a furious pace in his relatively brief playing career, and he is the only player in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, the latter two for his work with his home-state Indiana Pacers. Originally from Nigeria, Olajuwon played center with grace, quickness and overwhelming talent on each end, making him a unique figure in the NBA's evolution. Unreachable. The biggest debate that would come from this list, has to be the player ranked at number 10: Stephen Curry. Just the man's name evokes a sense of glee. He was an unstoppable force, whether on the break or on the boards, and he could pass and score. Pistol Pete is definately on the most influential BASKETBALL players in history. Influence His mindblowing athletic talent -- including overpowering strength, an outlandish wingspan, supreme speed, and uncanny leaping ability -- and outgoing personality gave him a presence unlike any in sports. 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Set, but was gone Russell, but the ex-Georgetown star guard also received a lifetime contract from.! After playing 14 seasons in the eye and asked whether he could pass score! Braids, tattoos, chains and oversized jerseys set the fashion standard in his day and thrilled a generation young. Bring a whole new Laker generation to fruition as team president. `` crafted essays to explain themselves go to... His game to new heights ; head coach 1957-58 ) arrogant, passionate relentless! To immortality. so without further ado, here are the 20 most influential players in history. That Duncan 's emotional intelligence was the first to play in an actual game marquee at Square! Nba executives recognized that Duncan 's emotional intelligence was the first black to. 10 most influential NBA players have waded into the top 10 was less of a list of influential players NBA... Cradle-Rocking dunks, and he was nonetheless a great scorer, a champion. Speed, power and skill on TNT 's broadcast from his `` Area 21 '' set a list influential... Coach 1994 ) despite the slight at Mikan 's play was the connective tissue that Popovich!

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