The short answer. By the Balladex model, the greatest NBA player of all time is Michael Jordan — 6× NBA Champion · 5× NBA MVP · 6× Finals MVP. The rest of the top five: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant. A transparent model estimate blending career production, peak, accolades and longevity.
All-time top 100 model
Ranked by the Balladex greatest score. Tap any player for his full career.
| # | Player | Pos | Career credentials | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Michael Jordan | Guard | 6× NBA Champion · 5× NBA MVP · 6× Finals MVP | 2568 |
| 2 |  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Center | 6× NBA Champion · 6× NBA MVP · 2× Finals MVP | 1891 |
| 3 |  Bill Russell | Center | 11× NBA Champion · 5× NBA MVP · 12× NBA All-Star | 1728 |
| 4 |  Magic Johnson | Guard | 5× NBA Champion · 3× NBA MVP · 3× Finals MVP | 1339 |
| 5 |  Kobe Bryant | Guard | 5× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 2× Finals MVP | 1336 |
| 6 |  Tim Duncan | Forward | 5× NBA Champion · 2× NBA MVP · 3× Finals MVP | 1296 |
| 7 |  Wilt Chamberlain | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 4× NBA MVP · 1× Finals MVP | 1234 |
| 8 |  Larry Bird | Forward | 3× NBA Champion · 3× NBA MVP · 2× Finals MVP | 1165 |
| 9 |  LeBron James | Forward | 4× NBA Champion · 4× NBA MVP · 4× Finals MVP | 1149 |
| 10 |  Shaquille O'Neal | Center | 4× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 3× Finals MVP | 1124 |
| 11 |  Moses Malone | Center | 1× NBA Champion · 3× NBA MVP · 1× Finals MVP | 965 |
| 12 |  Bob Cousy | Guard | 6× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 13× NBA All-Star | 963 |
| 13 |  Hakeem Olajuwon | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 2× Finals MVP | 916 |
| 14 |  Sam Jones | Guard | 10× NBA Champion · 5× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 875 |
| 15 |  Kevin Durant | Forward | 2× Champion + Finals MVP · 1× NBA MVP (2014) · 16× NBA All-Star | 844 |
| 16 |  Nikola Jokić | Center | 3× MVP · 1× Champ + FMVP · 8× All-Star | 825 |
| 17 |  Allen Iverson | Guard | 1× NBA MVP · 4× Scoring champion · 11× NBA All-Star | 816 |
| 18 |  Dwyane Wade | Guard | 3× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 1× Scoring champion | 807 |
| 19 |  Tom Heinsohn | Forward | 8× NBA Champion · 6× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 774 |
| 20 |  Dirk Nowitzki | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 1× Finals MVP | 772 |
| 21 |  Karl Malone | Forward | 2× NBA MVP · 14× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 769 |
| 22 |  Chris Paul | Point Guard | 12× NBA All-Star · 11× All-NBA · 1× Rookie of the Year | 754 |
| 23 |  Bob Pettit | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 2× NBA MVP · 11× NBA All-Star | 752 |
| 24 |  Kevin Garnett | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 1× Defensive Player of the Year | 749 |
| 25 |  James Harden | Guard | 1× NBA MVP (2018) · 3× NBA scoring champion · 11× NBA All-Star | 741 |
| 26 |  Stephen Curry | Guard | 4× NBA Champion · 2× NBA MVP (2015, 2016) · 1× Finals MVP (2022) | 728 |
| 27 | KIKyrie Irving | Point Guard | 9× NBA All-Star · 1× NBA Champion · 3× All-NBA | 727 |
| 28 |  Bob McAdoo | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 3× Scoring champion | 722 |
| 29 |  Willis Reed | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 2× Finals MVP | 706 |
| 30 |  David Robinson | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 1× Defensive Player of the Year | 695 |
| 31 |  Scottie Pippen | Forward | 6× NBA Champion · 7× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 682 |
| 32 |  Draymond Green | Forward | 4× NBA Champion · 1× Defensive Player of the Year (2017) · 9× All-Defensive Team | 666 |
| 33 |  Oscar Robertson | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 12× NBA All-Star | 664 |
| 34 |  Jerry West | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 14× NBA All-Star | 657 |
| 35 |  Isiah Thomas | Guard | 2× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 12× NBA All-Star | 650 |
| 36 |  George Gervin | Guard | 4× Scoring champion · 9× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 643 |
| 37 |  Julius Erving | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 11× NBA All-Star | 632 |
| 38 |  K.C. Jones | Guard | 8× NBA Champion · 1× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 619 |
| 39 |  Robert Parish | Center | 4× NBA Champion · 9× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 606 |
| 40 |  Russell Westbrook | Guard | MVP 2017 · 9x All-Star / All-NBA · 2x Scoring champion | 605 |
| 41 |  Tony Parker | Guard | 4× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 6× NBA All-Star | 605 |
| 42 |  Slater Martin | Guard | 5× NBA Champion · 7× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 601 |
| 43 |  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Guard | 2× NBA MVP (2025, 2026) · 1× Champion & Finals MVP (2025) · 4× NBA All-Star | 595 |
| 44 |  Dave Cowens | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 8× NBA All-Star | 591 |
| 45 |  Paul Arizin | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 2× Scoring champion · 10× NBA All-Star | 591 |
| 46 |  Damian Lillard | Guard | 9× NBA All-Star · 1× Rookie of the Year (2013) · 3× 3-Point Contest champion | 588 |
| 47 |  Joel Embiid | Center | 1× NBA MVP (2023) · 2× Scoring champion (2022, 2023) · 7× NBA All-Star | 588 |
| 48 |  Steve Nash | Guard | 2× NBA MVP · 8× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 586 |
| 49 |  Bill Sharman | Guard | 4× NBA Champion · 8× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 585 |
| 50 |  James Worthy | Forward | 3× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 7× NBA All-Star | 568 |
| 51 |  Rick Barry | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 1× Scoring champion | 565 |
| 52 |  Charles Barkley | Forward | 1× NBA MVP · 11× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 561 |
| 53 |  George Mikan | Center | 5× NBA Champion · 4× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 558 |
| 54 | DRDerrick Rose | Point Guard | 3× NBA All-Star · 1× NBA MVP · 1× All-NBA | 554 |
| 55 |  Chris Bosh | Forward | 2× NBA Champion · 11× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 550 |
| 56 |  Frank Ramsey | Guard | 7× NBA Champion · HOF Hall of Fame | 545 |
| 57 |  Neil Johnston | Center | 1× NBA Champion · 3× Scoring champion · 6× NBA All-Star | 544 |
| 58 |  Dennis Rodman | Forward | 5× NBA Champion · 2× Defensive Player of the Year · 2× NBA All-Star | 540 |
| 59 |  Paul Pierce | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 10× NBA All-Star | 539 |
| 60 |  Robert Horry | Forward | 7× NBA Champion | 535 |
| 61 |  Ray Allen | Guard | 2× NBA Champion · 10× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 532 |
| 62 |  Vern Mikkelsen | Forward | 4× NBA Champion · 6× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 525 |
| 63 |  Elvin Hayes | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 12× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 524 |
| 64 |  Giannis Antetokounmpo | Forward | 2× NBA MVP (2019, 2020) · 1× Champion + Finals MVP (2021) · 1× Defensive Player of the Year (2020) | 520 |
| 65 |  Dolph Schayes | Forward | 1× NBA Champion · 12× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 516 |
| 66 |  Wes Unseld | Center | 1× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 1× Finals MVP | 515 |
| 67 |  Klay Thompson | Guard | 4x NBA Champion · 5x All-Star · All-NBA 3rd Team (2015, 2016) | 512 |
| 68 |  Dennis Johnson | Guard | 3× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 5× NBA All-Star | 511 |
| 69 | JJJo Jo White | Guard | 2× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 7× NBA All-Star | 511 |
| 70 |  Kevin McHale | Forward | 3× NBA Champion · 7× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 508 |
| 71 |  Dwight Howard | Center | 1× NBA Champion · 3× Defensive Player of the Year · 8× NBA All-Star | 501 |
| 72 |  Bill Walton | Center | 2× NBA Champion · 1× NBA MVP · 1× Finals MVP | 497 |
| 73 |  Carmelo Anthony | Forward | 10× NBA All-Star · 1× Scoring champion (2013) · 🥇×3 Olympic gold | 489 |
| 74 |  Rudy Gobert | Center | 4× Defensive Player of the Year · 8× All-Defensive First Team · 2× Olympic silver (France) | 488 |
| 75 |  Jrue Holiday | Guard | 2× NBA Champion (2021, 2024) · 6× All-Defensive Team · 2× NBA All-Star | 487 |
| 76 |  Joe Dumars | Guard | 2× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 6× NBA All-Star | 485 |
| 77 | RRRajon Rondo | Point Guard | 4× NBA All-Star · 2× NBA Champion · 1× All-NBA | 476 |
| 78 |  Gary Payton | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 1× Defensive Player of the Year · 9× NBA All-Star | 472 |
| 79 |  Clyde Drexler | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 10× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 471 |
| 80 |  Jim Pollard | Forward | 4× NBA Champion · 4× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 466 |
| 81 |  Andre Iguodala | Guard | 4× NBA Champion · 1× Finals MVP · 1× NBA All-Star | 465 |
| 82 |  Elgin Baylor | Forward | 11× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 463 |
| 83 |  Hal Greer | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 10× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 462 |
| 84 |  Dikembe Mutombo | Center | 4× Defensive Player of the Year · 8× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 461 |
| 85 |  Anthony Davis | Forward | 1× NBA Champion (2020) · 10× NBA All-Star · 🥇×2 Olympic gold (2012, 2024) | 460 |
| 86 |  Tracy McGrady | Guard | 2× Scoring champion · 7× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 459 |
| 87 |  Dave DeBusschere | Forward | 2× NBA Champion · 8× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 458 |
| 88 |  Jamaal Wilkes | Forward | 4× NBA Champion · 3× NBA All-Star | 454 |
| 89 |  Jason Kidd | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 10× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 454 |
| 90 |  Jayson Tatum | Forward | 1× NBA Champion (2024) · 6× NBA All-Star · 4× All-NBA First Team | 452 |
| 91 |  Dominique Wilkins | Forward | 1× Scoring champion · 9× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 450 |
| 92 |  Jimmy Butler | Forward | 6× NBA All-Star · 5× All-Defensive Second Team · 1× Most Improved Player (2015) | 448 |
| 93 |  Alonzo Mourning | Center | 1× NBA Champion · 2× Defensive Player of the Year · 7× NBA All-Star | 445 |
| 94 |  Michael Cooper | Guard | 5× NBA Champion · 1× Defensive Player of the Year | 445 |
| 95 |  Walt Frazier | Guard | 2× NBA Champion · 7× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 445 |
| 96 |  Nate Archibald | Guard | 1× NBA Champion · 1× Scoring champion · 6× NBA All-Star | 437 |
| 97 |  Patrick Ewing | Center | 11× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 435 |
| 98 |  Ron Harper | Guard | 5× NBA Champion | 435 |
| 99 |  Al Horford | Center | 1× NBA Champion (2024) · 5× NBA All-Star · 2× NCAA Champion (2006, 2007) | 434 |
| 100 |  Adrian Dantley | Forward | 2× Scoring champion · 6× NBA All-Star · HOF Hall of Fame | 432 |
Method. A transparent Balladex model estimate, not a definitive verdict. Each player is scored on career production, best peak seasons, accolades (championships, MVPs, Finals MVPs, All-NBA/All-Star selections) and longevity, then ranked across the database (1946–present). Historical figures are approximate where early seasons predate complete data. Explore the stat leaders, power rankings and the all-time records, player comparisons, the stats glossary, and embed this ranking on your site.