Top 10 Greatest Basketball Players In NBA 50th Anniversary Team

August 4, 2021 By Sourav

The National Basketball Association or NBA is the highest level professional basketball league in America. It is one of the most important sports leagues in America, especially in the United States and Canada. We have for you the list of the Top 10 Greatest Basketball Players In the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. Let us take a look at their achievements and contributions.

Greatest Basketball Players In NBA 50th Anniversary Team

The NBA was formed in the year 946, and in 1996, it celebrated its 50^th year of establishment, considered one of the greatest milestones in the history of the sport of basketball. To mark this occasion, the 50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History, which was also called NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team or NBA's Top 50 was chosen.

10. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal played as a center for Orlando Magic from 1992 to 1996 and for Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2004. He played for Miami Heat from 2004 to 2008 and then for Phoenix Suns in the 2008-09 season.

Shaquille also played for Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009-10 season. He then played for the NBA franchise Boston Celtics between 2010 and 2011. He achieved a total of 28,596 points in his active basketball career. And now, he holds the tenth place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team.

Shaquille O'Neal achieved a total of 13,099 rebounds and 3,026 assists in his career. He won the championship title of the NBA 4 times with his teams in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2006. Shaquille O'Neal received the Most Valuable Player once in 2000.

Besides, he also became the Finals MVP thrice in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He has earned his place in the NBA All-Star team 15 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

9. Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit played as a Forward for the NBA franchise St. Louis Hawks between 1954 and 1965. He achieved a total of 20,880 points in his active basketball career.

And now, he holds the ninth place in our list of the top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team. Bob Pettit achieved a total of 12,849 rebounds and 2,369 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of the NBA once with his team in 1958. Bob Pettit became the Most Valuable Player 2 times in 1956 and 1959.

He has achieved his place in the NBA All-Star team 11 times in his active career.

8. Karl Malone

Karl Malone played as a Forward for Utah Jazz from 1985 to 2003. He then also played for the NBA franchise Los Angeles Lakers between 2003 and 2004. He achieved a total of 36,928 points in his active basketball career.

And now, he holds the eighth place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team.

Karl Malone achieved a total of 14,968 rebounds and 5,248 assists in his career. Sadly, he never achieved the championship title of the NBA with his teams.

Karl Malone became the Most Valuable Player 2 times in 1997 and 1999. He then achieved his place in the NBA All-Star team 14 times in his active career.

7. Moses Malone

Moses Malone played as a center for several teams such as Houston Rockets from 1976 to 1982. He then played for Washington Bullets from 1986 to 1988. Malone also played for the NBA franchise Philadelphia 76ers between 1982 and 1994.

He achieved a total of 27,409 points in his active basketball career. And now, he holds the seventh place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA 50th anniversary team.

Moses Malone achieved a total of 16,212 rebounds and 1,796 assists in his career. He won the championship title of the NBA once with his teams in 1983.

Moses Malone became the Most Valuable Player 3 times in 1979, 1982, and 1983. He also became the Finals MVP once in 1983. He has achieved his place in the NBA All-Star team 12 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

6. Larry Bird

Larry Bird played as a Forward for the NBA franchise Boston Celtics between 1979 and 1992. He achieved a total of 21,791 points in his active basketball career.

He now holds the sixth place in our list of the top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team. Larry Bird achieved a total of 8,974 rebounds and 5,695 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of the NBA 3 times with his teams in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Larry Bird became the Most Valuable Player 3 times in 1984, 1985, and 1986.

Besides, he became the Finals MVP twice in 1984 and 1986. He has also achieved his place in the NBA All-Star team 12 times in his active career.

5. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson played as a Forward for the NBA franchise Los Angeles Lakers between 1979 and 1996. He achieved a total of 17,707 points in his active basketball career.

Besides, he holds the fifth place in our list of the top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team. Magic Johnson achieved a total of 6,559 rebounds and 10,141 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of the NBA 5 times with his teams in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Magic Johnson became the Most Valuable Player 3 times in 1987, 1989, and 1990.

He then also became the Finals MVP three times in 1980, 1982, and 1987. He has achieved his place in the NBA All-Star team 12 times in his active career.

4. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain played as a center for San Francisco Warriors from 1959 to 1965. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1965 to 1968. Chamberlain then also played for the NBA franchise Los Angeles Lakers between 1968 and 1973.

He achieved a total of 31,419 points in his active basketball career. And now, he holds the fourth place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA 50th anniversary team.

Wilt Chamberlain achieved a total of 23,924 rebounds and 4,643 assists in his career. He won the championship title of the NBA 2 times with his teams in 1967 and 1972.

Wilt Chamberlain became the Most Valuable Player 4 times in 1960, 1966, 1967, and 1968. He also became the Finals MVP once in 1972. He has earned his place in the NBA All-Star team 13 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

3. Bill Russell

Bill Russell played as a Center for the NBA franchise Boston Celtics between 1956 and 1969. He achieved a total of 14,522 points in his active basketball career.

He now holds the third place in our list of the top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA's 50th-anniversary team. Bill Russell achieved a total of 21,620 rebounds and 4,100 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of NBA 11 times with his teams in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969. Bill Russell became the Most Valuable Player 5 times in 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1965.

He has also earned his place in the NBA All-Star team 12 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

2. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan played as a Forward for the Chicago Bulls from 1984 to 1998. He then also played for the NBA franchise Washington Wizards between 2001 and 2003.

He achieved a total of 32,292 points in his active basketball career and is inducted in the second place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA 50th anniversary team. Michael Jordan achieved a total of 6,672 rebounds and 5,633 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of the NBA 6 times with his teams in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan, was named the Most Valuable Player 5 times in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998.

Jordan was also named as the Finals MVP six times in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. He was inducted into the NBA All-Star team 14 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played as a center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1975 and also played for the NBA franchise Los Angeles Lakers between 1975 and 1989.

He achieved a total of 38,387 points in his active basketball career and is inducted in the top place in our list of top 10 greatest basketball players in the NBA 50th anniversary team. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the highest point scorer in NBA history, achieved a total of 17,440 rebounds and 5,660 assists in his career.

He won the championship title of the NBA 6 times with his teams in 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named the Most Valuable Player 6 times in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1980, and was also named as the Finals MVP twice in 1971 and 1985.

He was inducted into the NBA All-Star team 19 times in his active National Basketball Association career.

Final Words

The NBA’s Top 50 was declared to honor the top 50 players out of those athletes who have been associated with the sport of basketball. Without the contribution of these players, the sport would not have been the way it is today. These players have led the sport to a whole new level and set standards for the youth of today and future generations to follow.

Basketball Players In NBA 50th Anniversary Team | Infographics

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