Hitting the right notes: 23 greatest players in Jazz franchise history
From their early days in New Orleans to the Stockton/Malone heyday to today’s struggles, we count down the 23 greatest players in Jazz franchise history
Mahalo!: 12 greatest NBA and ABA players from Hawaii
On America’s 250th anniversary, we honor its 50th state, Hawaii, and the 11 greatest NBA players to emerge from the islands
So close and yet so far: 26 greatest players who played in an NBA Finals but never won a title
We previously ran down the list of greatest players without an NBA Finals appearance. Now we tackle the players that made it at least once to the deciding series for the Larry O’Brien trophy, but weren’t victorious.
King of the hill, top of the heap: 34 greatest players in Knicks franchise history
One of the three original BAA franchises from the league’s 1946 inception that are still active to this day, the Knicks have just seven NBA Finals appearances and two titles over those 75 years, but have certainly produced numerous memorable players, the 29 greatest of which are counted down here.
Early summer vacation: 25 greatest players without an NBA postseason appearance
Most players just have to hang around a few seasons to make their playoffs debut, but these players never reached the NBA promised land.
Short and sweet: 16 greatest post-merger players whose NBA career lasted 10 seasons or fewer
Injuries, suspensions, late career starts, and sadly tragic deaths played a factor in the shortened careers of these 16 NBA stars
You still work here?: 16 worst NBA players whose career lasted 10 or more seasons
They were never a star and hardly ever a starter, but these players made themselves useful enough to hang around the NBA for 10 or more seasons
Can’t get in without a ticket [UPDATED]: 27 greatest eligible players not yet in the Naismith Hall of Fame
With the 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame class set to be announced in early April, we take a look at the 27 greatest NBA and ABA players who are currently eligible but have yet to be enshrined.
Welcome to the big leagues: Ranking the NBA careers of the 52 Naismith Award winners
Handed out yearly since 1969, the Naismith Award represents the best of college basketball but not always the best pro prospects
Advanced wizardry: Ranking the pro careers of the 23 NBA players who played at UCLA under John Wooden
The greatest coach in college basketball history, John Wooden guided UCLA to 10 NCAA championships in a 12-year stretch. On the 60th anniversary of his first title, we rank the NBA careers of the 23 players from his program who reached the pro ranks.
First quarter check in: 101 greatest NBA players of the 21st century (so far)
We’re already finished with 25% of this century so let’s take stock of the best players to take part in the NBA during this time
From zero to hero: 21 greatest players who wore/wear the jersey number 0 or 00
We pay tribute to the humble number zero, by counting down the 21 greatest players that have donned it on their NBA jersey over the years.
Judge me by my size, do you: 17 best NBA players with a listed height under six feet
The best things can come in small packages, and this group of 17 were the greatest in NBA history that measured in at less than six feet tall.
One and done: 17 greatest players who spent just one season in the NBA
Whether it was due to bad luck, bad timing, injury, or just a change of career, these are the greatest players whose NBA career lasted just one season.
You’re the best around: 80 greatest NBA players of the 1980s
We conclude our Totally ’80s series by ranking the 80 greatest players of the decade, based solely on statistics, accolades, and awards compiled between the ’80-’81 and ’88-’89 seasons.
Smells like teen spirit: Ranking the 42 players who were drafted into the NBA straight from high school
With the days seemingly numbered for the current NBA draft age limit, we take a look back at the careers of the 42 players who were drafted by an NBA team straight from high school before that practice was eliminated in 2006.
Other league of legends: 13 greatest ABA players who never made it to the NBA
Several of the top ABA players, like Julius Erving and Moses Malone, continued on to NBA stardom while others, like Mel Daniels and Louie Dampier, had short, unspectacular stints after the merger. These are the top ABA players who, for various reasons, never got a chance in the NBA.
Bird is the word: Ranking the 21 players who won a championship as Larry Bird’s Celtics teammate
As part of our Totally ’80s series, we rank the 21 players who won a championship in 1981, 1984, and/or 1986 as a teammate of Larry Bird on the Celtics.
Best kept secrets: 22 greatest second round draft picks of the lottery era
Most NBA second round picks are seen as an afterthought but these 22 players took full advantage of their pro opportunity, developing into star players despite their humble beginnings. Editor’s note: list only includes players drafted in the second round since the advent of the draft lottery in 1985.
Mostly valuable: 17 greatest players who never earned NBA league MVP
Whether they were stuck on non-contenders, unlucky to go up against bigger legends, or simply robbed of the award, these are the 17 greatest players to never win the NBA MVP award.
All-Star Saturday to Sunday pipeline: Ranking the careers of the 31 Slam Dunk Contest winners
In the 38th edition of the Slam Dunk Contest, Mac McClung became the 31st player to take home the crown and the first to do so without appearing in an NBA game during the regular season (thus far). For those previous 30 winners, how did the rest of their career go?
Unrewarded exhibitionists: 12 greatest players who never earned NBA All-Star Game MVP
Many of the greatest players of all time have added All-Star MVP to their list of accomplishments but these 12 legends, many of whom earned league MVP and/or Finals MVP never added the ultimate All-Star honor to their trophy case.
Sonic boom: Ranking the 23 greatest players in Seattle SuperSonics history
While their history is officially retained by the Oklahoma City Thunder according to the NBA record books, they’re still the Seattle SuperSonics to us and we examine the 23 greatest players that suited up for them between their founding in 1967 and their departure from the city in 2008.
Dream weavers: Ranking the 16 players who won a title as Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets teammate
On the 30th anniversary of their first title win, we rank the 16 players who were part of the Rockets’ championship runs with Hakeem Olajuwon, based on their overall career (not just their time with the Rockets).
Black excellence: 16 greatest players who reached the NBA from an Historically Black College and University (HBCU)
There are over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) still operating in the United States today. Notable alumni include Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, Booker T. Washington, Thurgood Marshall, Althea Gibson and the 16 NBA stars listed below.
Who did that?: 12 worst players to lead the NBA in a major statistical category
The NBA annually sees its biggest stars atop the league leader board when the season ends, but here’s the worst players ever to break into that fraternity.
Cleveland’s rocks: Ranking the 23 greatest players in Cavaliers franchise history
Dating back to 1970 as an expansion team, the Cleveland Cavaliers have had some ups and downs over the decades since. Ok, mostly downs. But also five NBA Finals appearances and a 2016 championship thanks to the guy who’s obviously #1 on this list.
Give the Blue Devil his due: 13 greatest NBA players who played under Coach K at Duke
While we’ve previously detailed the worst NBA players to emerge from the Duke program, with Coach Mike Krzyzewski retiring at the conclusion of the ’21-’22 season, we’ll now take a look at the 14 most successful pro stars to reach the NBA from Duke since the venerable coach took the reigns in 1980.
Founding ballers: 75 greatest players who participated in the inaugural NBA season (’46-’47)
Before it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 and officially formed the NBA, we had three seasons of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which the NBA officially sanctions. These are the 75 greatest players that were active in its inaugural ’46-’47 season.
That guy has one and I don’t?: 42 worst players with a (post-merger) NBA championship ring
Some legends like Charles Barkley, Elgin Baylor, and Karl Malone were infamously shut out of the championship ranks, while Chris Paul looks to finally win his first this year in his 16th season. Meanwhile, these 42 lesser players walked away with one or more rings despite middling careers.
One team’s trash, another team’s treasure: 14 greatest (post-merger) undrafted NBA players
Un-drafted but still undaunted, these 14 players developed into solid NBA contributors despite being overlooked in their respective draft classes.
She’s got next: Ranking the 25 greatest players in WNBA history
The NBA isn’t the only basketball league with a major milestone in 2021. The WNBA is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer. In honor of the accomplishment, we’ve applied our NBA greatest players metric to count down the 25 greatest players in WNBA history.
Bombs away: 22 all-time greatest NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest competitors
With the NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Contest surprisingly happening again in 2021, we take a look back at the all-time greats in the event, ranking them based on the criteria of number of times competing, number of times reaching the semifinals/finals, number of titles, highest score, and average score.
Heat check: 23 greatest players in Suns franchise history
In our continuing series counting down the greatest players for each team, we check in on the oldest NBA franchise without a championship, the Phoenix Suns, from their early days to the thrilling ’90s to the Seven Seconds or Less era and beyond.
Bad boys for life: Ranking the 15 players who won a title as Isiah Thomas’ Pistons teammate
In back-to-back seasons in 1989 and 1990, Isiah Thomas led the Pistons to the first two titles in franchise history. Today, we rank the 15 players who were part of those championship runs with Thomas, based on their overall career (not just their time with the Pistons).
Second isn’t the best: 22 worst second overall picks in the NBA Draft
Last week we counted down the greatest players ever selected #2 overall, but what about the major misses? Maybe they missed out on a Hall of Famer or maybe they dodged an even bigger bullet, but these are the 22 worst players that teams selected with the second overall pick
I can’t dance: 15 greatest NBA players who (played in Division I but) never reached the NCAA Tournament
Several likely 2020 lottery picks, like Obi Toppen, Cole Anthony, and Vernon Carey, were denied an opportunity to experience March Madness before reaching the NBA when the 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled. At least they’ll be in good company, joining these 15 NBA superstars who played Division I college basketball but never in the ultimate postseason.
Haven’t had the honor: 19 most deserving players never named to an All-Star team
As the NBA once again preps to honor its best and brightest in the yearly All-Star Game, here’s the greatest players in league history that never quite reached that summit of recognition.
Second in the draft, first in our hearts: 21 greatest second overall picks in the NBA Draft
The best players don’t always go #1, and sometimes the overlooked guys picked #2 have the last laugh. Here is a list of the 22 second overall picks who had the best NBA careers.
All downhill from there: 16 worst players who were named to the NBA All-Rookie team
Previously we detailed the greatest players who didn’t make the All-Rookie team. Now, for proof positive that a spot on the All-Rookie Team is far from a definitive indicator of future success, here are the 16 worst players to be given that designation.
Who invited that guy?: 13 worst players with a post-merger NBA All-Star appearance
Though All-Star Games are typically an accurate indicator of who were the best (or, in some cases, most popular) players in a given year, sometimes players just sneak in, maybe in an off-year for talent or maybe for other reasons.
Hollywood walk of fame: 31 greatest players in Lakers franchise history
In our continuing series counting down the greatest players for each team, we start with the legendary Lakers, from their Minneapolis days to Showtime to Kobe and Shaq and beyond
Blew it, devils: 19 worst NBA players who played their college ball at Duke
The reputation has receded over the last decade or so, but it still stands as common knowledge that a star career at Duke does not lead to NBA success, and these are the top 18 examples