The Greatest Players in NBA History, Ranked

Who are the greatest players in NBA history? It's an age-old, highly subjective, and near-impossible question to answer, but we did it! Yes, sports fans, we've compiled a list of the cream of the crop, so you don't have to. This list covers it all — from basketball's earliest pioneers to legends like Jordan and Bird, to modern-day greats like Kobe, LeBron, and Steph. So, without further ado, let's give it our best shot...

45. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade's story is amazing. He came from a broken home on the wrong side of Chicago. Turning to basketball to avoid illicit substances and gangs, he grew up idolizing and modeling his game after Michael Jordan. His diligence and desire saw him drafted by the Heat.

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In his 15-year Miami career, he became one of the NBA's best shooting guards and won three NBA titles. He's Miami's all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken.

44. George Gervin

George Gervin was scarily good back in the 1970s and '80s. For more than a decade at the San Antonio Spurs, Gervin's grace, efficiency, and ruthlessness ripped apart defenders with an insane array of jumpers, runners, and dunks - not to mention his famed finger-roll layup.

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On April 9th, 1978, "The Iceman" lit the NBA on fire. Gervin scored 63 points against the Jazz... and he actually sat out during the fourth quarter, as well as some of the third. That's just how good he was!

43. Reggie Miller

One of the NBA's all-time great long-range shooters, Reggie Miller, ranks third in league history for three-pointers (2,560). This non-stop energizer bunny with a flair for the dramatic was best known for his gunslinging three-pointers, especially in pressure situations at the death known as Miller Time.

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Against the New York Knicks, his perimeter shots earned him the nickname "Knick Killer." He finished his 18-year Indiana Pacers career (1987-2005) on 25,279 points - 12th place on the league's all-time scoring list.

42. Kevin McHale

Boston Celtics legend Kevin McHale spent his first six seasons as a valuable bench player, backing up forwards Cedric Maxwell and Larry Bird. But when he did get game time, McHale, Bird, and Robert Parish formed the best front-court trio in NBA history.

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The power forward always had a happy-go-lucky attitude, but beneath the smile, he was basketball's biggest contender. His long arms and legs, sharp elbows, and a dazzling array of post-up moves - including up-and-unders, step-throughs, and drop-steps - would quite literally destroy opponents.