Jordan and other greats
Nov 2002

Michael Jordan walks away from the game of basketball as the best known and most popular player in the history of the sport.

His combination of 10 scoring titles, five NBA MVP awards, six NBA Finals MVP awards and six NBA championships is unparalleled. But there is an impressive list of other NBA stars to be considered when picking the greatest player ever.

Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominant, scoring an NBA-record 100 points in a single game and averaging a record 50.4 points for a season; Bill Russell won an unprecedented 11 NBA titles; Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double for a season; Jerry West rightfully earned the nickname ''Mr. Clutch''; Earvin Johnson was known as ''Magic'' for obvious reasons; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points than anyone; Larry Bird showed that slow and white aren't NBA liabilities; Julius Erving introduced the above-the-rim game and Bob Cousy made the below-the-rim game just as awe-inspiring.

Here's closer look at the greatest the game has ever seen, in order:

Michael Jordan
Ht., wt., pos.: 6-6, 216, shooting guard
Seasons: 13 (all with the Chicago Bulls)
Age at retirement: 35
Style: A creative, acrobatic scorer and a fearless dunker who developed a deadly turnaround jump shot late in his career. Unstoppable one-on-one player, proficient with either hand; a clever passer and consistent rebounder; was one of the most fundamentally sound players ever, but still did things with a flair. Vision, court awareness, and quickness helped him become just as good defensively as he was offensively; competitive drive set him apart from all others. Was such a great athlete that his intelligence as a player was often overlooked.
NBA titles: 6
Key teammates: Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant and John Paxson
Most influential coach: Phil Jackson
MVP awards: 5 (1988, '91, '92, '96, '98)
Other awards: All-Star Game MVP 3 times; NBA Finals MVP 6 times; Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Rookie of the Year (1985); dunk champion twice; first-team all-NBA 10 times and first-team all-defensive 9 times
Total points (rank): 29,277 (5th)
Statistical titles: 11 scoring and 3 steals crowns.
Other key statistics: Career scoring average (31.5) is the highest of all time; 3rd all-time in steals and 7th in free throws made; highest career playoff scoring average (33.4); highest career All-Star Game average (21.3) and recorded only triple-double in All Star Game history in 1997

Wilt Chamberlain
Ht., wt., pos.: 7-1, 275, center
Seasons: 14 (5 1/2 with Warriors; 3 1/2 with 76ers; 5 with Lakers)
Age at retirement: 37
Style: Strongest man to ever play; could overpower anyone, but had a soft touch and was agile around the basket. His pet shots were a finger roll and a fadeaway jumper. A great all-around athlete who knew how to use his size and strength; an intimidating shot blocker and dominating rebounder.
NBA titles: 2 (1967 76ers, 1972 Lakers)
Key teammates: Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor
MVP awards: 4 (1960, '66, '67, '68)
Most influential coach: Alex Hannum
Other awards: Rookie of the Year (1960); first-team all-NBA 7 times and first-team all-defensive twice; NBA Finals MVP in 1972; All-Star Game MVP in 1960
Total points (rank): 31,419 (2nd)
Statistical titles: 7 scoring crowns; 11 rebounding titles; 1 assist crown; led league in field goal percentage 9 times
Other key statistics: 30.1 scoring average is 2nd all-time; 23,924 rebounds is 1st; played in 1,045 games and never fouled out; averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds in '61-62 season; 118 games of 50 or more points; holds NBA record of 100 points in a game (1962)

Bill Russell
Ht., wt., pos.: 6-10, 220, center
Seasons: 13 (all with Boston Celtics)
Age at retirement: 35
Style: Greatest defensive player ever; his sense of timing and grace is unparalleled; made blocking shots popular; may have looked awkward on offense, but was very effective; one of the greatest team leaders; was left-handed; ran the court extremely well and played a very intelligent game
NBA Titles: 11
Key teammates: Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Tom Heinsohn
Most influential coach: Red Auerbach
MVP awards: 5 (1958, '61, '62, '63, '65)
Other awards: All-Star Game MVP in 1963; All-NBA first team 3 times and second team 8 times; All-Defensive first team once.
Total points (rank): 14,522 (not in top 50)
Statistical titles: 5 rebounding crowns
Other key statistics: Had career averages of 22.5 rebounds, 15.1 points and 4.3 assists ; holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104) and averaged an NBA Finals- record 29.5 rebounds in 1959; (blocked shots weren't kept during his career)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 7-2, 267, center
Seasons: 20 (6 with Milwaukee Bucks and 14 with Los Angeles Lakers)
Age at retirement: 42
Style: Developed the most unstoppable shot in NBA history -- the sky hook; had small forward skills in a center's body; was deceptively strong and a true team player. His game was finesse and grace; was a premier shot blocker and such a good passer that the Lakers often ran their offense through him
NBA Titles: 6 (1 with Bucks, 5 with Lakers)
Key teammates: Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and James Worthy
Most influential coach: College coach at UCLA John Wooden
MVP awards: 6 (1971, '72, '74, '76, '77, ''80)
Other awards: Rookie of the Year in 1970; All-NBA first team 10 times, second team 5 times; All-Defensive first team 5 times; NBA Finals MVP twice
Total points (rank): 38,387 (1st)
Statistical titles: 2 scoring crowns; 1 rebounding title; 1 field goal percentage crown and 3 blocked shots titles.
Other key statistics: Has career averages of 24.6 points and 11.2 rebounds; 3rd all-time leading rebounder (17,440), 2nd all-time in blocks (3,189); in the top ten in 9 career statistical categories; shot 55.9% for his career

Larry Bird
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-9, 220, small forward
Seasons: 13 (all with Boston Celtics)
Age at retirement: 36
Style: One of the greatest all-around players ever; was slow and couldn't jump, but was a fierce competitor and played with a crowd-pleasing flair that set him apart. Perhaps the best shooting big man ever; a clever passer and fearless rebounder. Had great court vision and knew how to keep everyone involved in the game; was the epitome of what a teammate should be.
NBA Titles: 3
Key teammates: Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge
Most influential coach: Bill Fitch
MVP awards: 3 (1984, '85, '86)
Other awards: Rookie of the Year in 1980; All NBA first team 9 times and 2nd team once; All-Defensive second team 3 times; Long Distance Shootout winner 3 times; NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1982 and NBA Finals MVP in 1984 and 86 Total points (rank): 21,791 (24th)
Statistical titles: 4 field goal percentage crowns
Other key statstics: Averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 897 career games; shot 37.6 % from 3-point range (649-of-1,727); shot 88.6 % from the foul line and 49.6 % from the field; average 23.8 points 10.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 164 playoff games.

Earvin (Magic) Johnson
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-9, 255, point guard
Seasons: 13 (all with L.A. Lakers)
Age at retirement: 36
Style: The ultimate showman; he's the one who made Showtime work; played all five positions, but he was made to be a point guard. Could control the entire game; had remarkable vision and an uncanny sense of anticipation; whatever his team needed he provided; took charge the minute he stepped on the court as a rookie. A crowd favorite because he loved what he was doing and it showed.
NBA Titles: 5
Key teammates: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis
Most influential coach: Pat Riley
MVP awards: 3 (1987, '89, '90)
Other awards: All-NBA first team 9 times and second team once; NBA Finals MVP 3 times; All-Star Game MVP twice
Total points (rank): 17,707 (not in top 50)
Statistical titles: Led NBA in steals twice, FG percentage once, assists 5 times.
Other key statistics: Averaged 23.9 points, 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds in the 86-87 season and for his career averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds and shot 52% from the field and 85 % from the free throw line; holds career playoff record for most assists 2,346; 2nd all-time in assists 10,141 and 10th in steals (1,724); turned in one of the greatest perfomances in NBA Finals history with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists as a rookie in the series-winning Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals against the 76ers, playing center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Oscar Robertson
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-5, 220, point guard
Seasons: 14 (10 with Cincinati Royals, 4 with the Milwaukee Bucks)
Age at retirement: 35
Style: Big O could do anything with the basketball and was the most statistically dominant 6-5 player. Was deceptively quick and strong and could overpower most guards and out-maneuver bigger people. Rarely got his shot blocked, could control the tempo of the game.
NBA Titles: 1
Key teammates: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Dandridge, Jack Twyman, Bob Boozer and Wayne Embry
Most influential coach: Jack McMahon
MVP awards: 1 (1964)
Other awards: Rookie of the Year in 1961; All-NBA first team 9 times and second team twice; All-Star Game MVP 3 times
Total points (rank): 26,710 (9th)
Statistical titles: 1 scoring title; 2 free throw percentage titles and 8 assists titles
Other key statistics: Averaged a triple-double for an entire season in 1961-62 with 30.8 points 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists; in 1,040 career games he averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds; 9th highest career scoring average (25.7); 3rd all-time in assists (9,887), 2nd in free throws made (7,694)

Jerry West
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-2, 185, point guard/shooting guard
Seasons: 14 (all with L.A. Lakers)
Age at retirement: 36
Style: Perhaps the greatest shooter under pressure; was an outstanding all-around player and a great rebounder for his size. Could penetrate easily off the dribble, but it was his jump shot that made him an unstoppable scorer. Always played under control and was one of the most consistent players; very unselfish for such a great scorer.
NBA Titles: 1
Key teammates: Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and Gail Goodrich
Most influential coach: Fred Schaus
MVP awards: 0
Other awards: All-NBA first team 10 times, second team twice; All-Defensive first team 4 times; NBA Finals MVP in 1969; NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1972
Total points (rank): 25,192 (15th)
Statistical titles: 1 scoring title and 1 assist title
Other key statistics: Holds single series playoff record scoring average (46.3) and averaged 29.1 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 153 playoff games and 27 points (5th best all-time), 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 932 regular season outings

Julius Erving (Dr. J)
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-7, 210, small forward
Seasons: 16 (2 with Virginia Squires of the ABA; 3 with New Jersey Nets of ABA; and 11 with Philadelphia 76ers).
Age at retirement: 37
Style: He was Michael Jordan's role model. He brought the above-the-rim game to basketball and made the dunk an art form and not just a power move; had incredible hang time and seemed to spend almost no time whatsoever on the floor. Could make the most routine play look exciting, but was very sound fundamentally; considered one of the true gentlemen of the game.
NBA Titles: 1 (2 in the ABA)
Key teammates: Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Darryl Dawkins, Moses Malone, George McGinnis and Bobby Jones.
Most influential coach: Billy Cunningham.
MVP awards: 1 in the NBA in 1981 and 2 in the ABA in 1974 and 76
Other awards: All-NBA first team 5 times, second team twice; All-ABA first team 4 times, second team once; ABA Rookie of the Year in 1972; NBA All Star MVP twice
Total points (rank): 30,026 (3rd)
Statistical titles: 3 ABA scoring titles
Other key statistics: Has highest career average in ABA history, 28.7; shot 50.7 % for his NBA career and averaged 22 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists; 76ers all-time blocked shot leader (1,293).

Bob Cousy
Ht, Wt, Pos.: 6-1, 175
Seasons: 14, (13 with Boston Celtics and one with the Cincinnati Royals
Age at retirement: 42 (first retired in 1963 at 34; came back in 1969 for 7 games)
Style: The first of the great ball-handlers; had all the fancy behind-the-back passes and was a nifty dribbler. Had a reliable one-handed push shot that he used to set up his penetrating drives; his ball handling made it virtually impossible to press the Celtics
NBA Titles: 6
Key teammates: Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones,Tom Heinsohn
Most influential coach: Red Auerbach
MVP awards: 1 in 1957
Other awards: 10-time All-NBA first team and 2-time second team selection; All-Star MVP in 1954 and '57
Total points (rank): 16,960 (not in top 50)
Statistical titles: 8 assist crowns
Other key statistics: Averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 924 career games; 8th all- time in assists with 6,955 and is 8th in playoff assists with 937.

Honorable Mention

Bob Pettit - Averaged 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds in 792 games, 720 of them with the St Louis Hawks. Was the All Star Game MVP 3 times, regular season MVP twice, Rookie of the Year in 1955 and an All-NBA first team selection in 10 of his 11 seasons

Elgin Baylor - Holds NBA Finals record for most points with 61 and averaged 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 846 games, all with the Lakers; had incredible back-to- back seasons in '61 and '62 averaging 34.8 points and 19.8 rebounds in 61; and 38.3 points and 18.6 rebounds the next season; he was a 10 time All NBA first team selection.

George Mikan - The first great big man; won the scoring title his first 5 seasons in the league and led the Minneapolis Lakers to 4 NBA titles; made All NBA first team 5 times in a row from 1950 through 54; also won 2 titles in the old National Basketball League and one in the Basketball Association of America (both predecessors of the NBA)

John Havlicek - Won 8 NBA titles in 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics; was All-NBA first team 4 times and second team 7 times; All-Defensive first team 5 times and All-Defensive second team 3 times; was the NBA Finals MVP in 1974 and averaged 22 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 172 playoff games; Boston's all-time leading scorer with 26,395 points, 9th on the NBA career list.

By David DuPree, USA TODAY

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