The Best Basketball Players of All Time: The Ultimate All-Time Greats List

Every few years, basketball fans brace themselves for new versions of “greatest ever” lists — and the 2025 edition by HoopsHype is shaping up to be among the most debated. With 79 players ranked, including recent-era superstars and established legends, the list reflects not just historical greatness but also modern longevity, statistical dominance, and evolving styles of play.

HoopsHype’s process: staff of eight rank each candidate, the highest and lowest votes are discarded and then final scores determined.

Below we highlight the top of the list, some standout names, shifts from past conventions, and what this list tells us about the evolution of NBA greatness.

Top of the List: Longevity, Versatility, Legacy

LeBron James — No. 1: Sustained Excellence Through Eras

LeBron sits atop HoopsHype’s 2025 list.

He brings to the table:

● Multiple NBA championships, Finals-MVPs, league MVPs, and a prodigious All-Star / All-NBA résumé.

● Elite across categories: scoring, assists, steals — plus rebounding and contributions on both ends of the court remain strong even as he ages.

● Unmatched longevity: few players maintain elite performance into their late 30s and 40s, yet LeBron continues to defy the aging curve.

HoopsHype notes this is less about a single “peak” and more about career-long dominance.

Michael Jordan — No. 2: Peak Perfection & Cultural Impact

Jordan remains the benchmark for peak performance. On the list he is still near the very top — No. 2.

His credentials:

● Six NBA championships, six Finals-MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances and elite defensive credentials.

● A scoring machine with mid-range mastery, clutch performance under
pressure, and a two-way impact (offense + defense).

● Beyond stats: Jordan transformed basketball culture worldwide, influencing
how greatness is perceived on and off the court.

HoopsHype acknowledges his higher “peak,” but places him just behind LeBron due
to overall career volume.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — No. 3: Dominant Big Man with Unmatched Consistency

In third place, Kareem’s legacy as one of the most dominant and long-lasting bigmen in history stands strong.

His hallmarks:

● Six NBA titles, six league MVPs, 19 All-Star selections, and top-tier scoring and shot-blocking across decades.

● Signature weapon: the “skyhook” — a nearly unblockable shot that terrorized defenses for years.

● Longevity and adaptability: Kareem remained dominant across eras, outlasting and outclassing many peers.

Many analysts argue he may be the most complete “big man ever,” and his placement reflects respect for dominance sustained over time.

All-Time Greats Beyond the Top 3

Magic Johnson — No. 4: Revolutionary Point Guard and Leader

Magic helped redefine the point guard role — his size, court vision, and passing ability brought a new dimension to how teams run offense.

His legacy: multiple championships, multiple MVPs and an enduring legacy as a floor general who made teammates better.

Shaquille O'Neal — No. 9: Pure Dominance in the Paint

Shaq’s physical presence, power, athleticism and sheer force made him one of themost dominant centers ever.

He consistently imposed himself in the post, altered games on defense, andcommanded double-teams, freeing up teammates — a classic “game-changer.”

Tim Duncan — No. 10: The Quiet, Most Consistent All-Time PowerForward

Dubbed “The Big Fundamental,” Duncan may not have had the flashiest highlightreel — but his consistency, team-first approach, defense, and leadership anchoredmultiple championship seasons.

He’s arguably the best all-around power forward in league history, blending scooring, defense, basketball IQ and steady production over nearly two decades.

Modern Era & Rising Stars: Evolving What Greatness Means

Nikola Jokić — New-Age Big Man Changing the Game

At No. 23 on the 2025 list, Jokić represents a new archetype: a center who shoots, passes, handles the ball, and runs the offense as well as many guards.

His multiple MVPs, playmaking skills, efficiency, and versatility make him arguably the best “passing big man” ever — challenging traditional definitions of greatness.

Other Notable Mentions: Changing Styles, Global Impact

Players like Stephen Curry (revolutionizing the three-point era), international stars, two-way players — all reflect how modern basketball values versatility, spacing, and skill over sheer size or traditional “dominance.”

HoopsHype’s 2025 list shows that greatness is less about a single trait or era — and more about adaptability, longevity, and sustained impact across shifting basketball paradigms.

What This 2025 List Tells Us About Basketball’s Evolution

Longevity matters now more than ever. Careers lasting into late 30s/40swith high production (like LeBron’s) reshape legacy arguments.

● Versatility beats specialization. Modern greats aren’t just scorers ordefenders — many contribute across offense, defense, playmaking, andleadership.

● The game evolves — and greatness evolves with it. From post-dominantcenters to small-ball forwards and playmaking big men, different eras demanddifferent “greatness.”

● Legacy is holistic. Championships, individual stats, longevity, adaptability,cultural impact — all factor into being “all-time great.”

HoopsHype’s 2025 “79 Greatest NBA Players Ever” list gives us more than a rankingHoopsHype’s 2025 “79 Greatest NBA Players Ever” list gives us more than a ranking— it offers a snapshot of basketball’s journey across decades.

Legends like LeBron, Jordan, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Duncan remain at the top, but rising and modern stars such as Jokić and others broaden how we define greatness.

Whether you care most about peak performance, longevity, versatility, or culturalimpact — this list proves there are many paths to “all-time great.”

If you like — I can build a full Top-20 table based on the 2025 list, including majör honors, positions and primary strengths.