NBA All-Star Weekend was a showcase of today’s superstars, but it was also a celebration of the best players throughout 75 years of league history.
Earlier in the 2021-22 season, the NBA unveiled its 75th Anniversary Team, a squad full of iconic players representing different points in the evolution of basketball.
But the league never ranked them. We did.
ESPN’s NBA expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head player matchups, taking into consideration the quality and quantity of their NBA contributions.
LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan? Kawhi Leonard vs. Gary Payton? Stephen Curry vs. Larry Bird? Kevin Durant vs. Kobe Bryant? Old school vs. new school?
Although they come from different eras, each of these players changed the game. Here’s where the NBA’s very best check in on our list, running from No. 76 all the way to No. 1.
Note: Players’ accomplishments in the NBL, the ABA, college…