Every NBA player has talent, whether we see it or not. The NBA is probably the most competitive league in the world, as the best athletes compete with each other on a nightly basis on the road to the NBA Finals. NBA superstars are held to the highest regard, as they can singlehandedly steer the course of a team’s success and generate the most money and fame as a result.
But how many superstars are truly competitive? We have seen many great players who preferred to enjoy their money and stats without worrying too much about winning. But we have also seen some of the fiercest competitors to have ever played professional sports compete in the NBA.
As a result, it is time to rank the top 10 biggest competitors in NBA history.
Honorable Mention
Dennis Rodman
While Dennis Rodman seemed to not care about his off-court behavior that much, he was an animal on the court. He is probably the league’s greatest rebounder and one of the best defensive players ever and hustled for every loose ball every second of every game.
Even if Rodman’s off-court antics showed otherwise, he may have truly needed to recharge his batteries because he was truly one of the greatest competitors in NBA history.
10. Russell Westbrook
At number ten, Russell Westbrook impressively makes this list. Even though there have been better pure point guards in NBA history, Russell Westbrook ranks among the best ever to compete at the highest level.
Russ knows only one speed, full throttle, and he gives it his all every single night. There is not one instance where Russ fails to deliver with his energy and drive, and he deservedly makes the top ten list despite being the only player on this list to be actively playing.
9. Gary Payton
Another all-time great point guard, Payton is one of the best defensive guards in NBA history. He came into the league as a true defensive specialist, and only honed his skills evermore as he matured. What made Payton a great defensive player wasn’t only his defensive awareness, but also his unbelievable competitive drive.
Payton was one of the real men of the league, who didn’t care who he played against or what anyone said about him. He would play hard every night, lock up whoever he guarded, and leave it on the floor every night to win.
8. Allen Iverson
The smallest guy on the list, nobody had a bigger heart than Allen Iverson. As one of the legends of professional basketball and a true icon to the sport, A.I. played harder than anybody in the league considering how often he would be thrown to the floor as a very miniature guard.
Iverson was a skilled scorer and a clear superstar player, but he wanted to win at all costs. Even if he was labeled selfish during his playing days, he truly believed that he had the best chance to make every shot and he did it all for the sake of winning. Iverson is clearly a worthy mention for this list, especially since he carried a very weak supporting cast to the NBA Finals in 2001.
7. Isiah Thomas
The great Isiah Thomas is one of the best winners in NBA history, as he managed to lead the Pistons to 2 straight NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Thomas was the point guard and leader of the Bad Boy Pistons, and one of the most feared guards ever.
In fact, it was his competitiveness that drove him to play hard and be physical every night. While many labeled him and his team as “dirty”, Thomas truly wanted to do whatever it took to win and that is why he faced animosity from former players, even today.
6. Kevin Garnett
In terms of pure intensity, KG would be number one on this list. The impact he had on the floor wasn’t only due to his scoring and defensive prowess, but his vocal leadership on the court. Garnett can singlehandedly provide a defensive presence and make an impact through his play.
As good as Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were for the Celtics, it was Garnett’s defensive prowess and leadership that gave Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers the best team in the league in their title-winning season in 2008. KG was a winner and a leader of the highest order and just misses out on the top five.
5. Bill Russell
Russell won 11 NBA titles, a record that will never be broken. Even if the Celtics were stacked with unbelievable talent, Bill Russell was the undoubted leader and defensive force for the most dominant dynasty ever. As arguably the best defensive big man ever, Russell was a master at blocking shots and altering many more.
Russell was an obsessed winner and a dominant defensive presence mainly because he wanted to destroy the opposition every single game. Ask any legend in the past, and they will rave about how Russell’s impact and hustle led the Celtics to 12 Finals Appearances and 11 titles.
4. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson, even with the brightest smile and bubbliest personality, was an obsessed winner and competitor. Along with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, Magic changed the NBA and truly made it a global game. He was arguably the greatest leader and point guard ever, and could take any team to the Finals because he made everyone around him better.
Magics passing and playmaking were his best skills, but his competitiveness gave him a mindset to be the best player he could be every night. Magic won 5 NBA titles during his illustrious career, and his competitive drive fueled him to become of the best players ever.
3. Larry Bird
Unsurprisingly, Larry Bird appears on this list. Bird was probably the greatest trash talker ever, and his insane competitiveness led him to make a mark on NBA history forever. There was never a player with such limited athletic ability who talked the most trash like Larry Legend. That just goes to show you the intense competitiveness and confidence in his game, and he is currently regarded as a top-two small forward ever.
Bird was a clutch performer and a leader for the sport of basketball, and his competitive drive ranks among the top three ever. Alongside Magic Johnson, Bird dominated the league with his competitiveness until one man who played for Chicago stole the show.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe was an obsessed winner and competitor, something that is rare to only a few individuals in NBA history. There probably wasn’t a player in history who worked on his game more than Kobe, and he did not have a single weakness in his game. When it comes to creating a perfect shooting guard, Kobe was it.
As usual, intense competitors are often labeled selfish and Kobe lived with that criticism throughout his career. But any criticism or doubt that Kobe faced would fuel him to being the best player he could be, and he will be forever known as one of the most competitive athletes we have ever seen. His five NBA titles and record amount of game-winners sit nicely on the resume of the Hall of Fame Laker.
1. Michael Jordan
At number one, unsurprisingly, is Michael Jordan. As driven and maniacally obsessed with winning as guys like Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird were, Jordan was a notch above because it came perfectly natural to him. MJ was as real and authentic as you can get, and this is why his impact on the game will be eternal.
MJ was not only the most skilled player ever and one of the most physically gifted but his intense competitiveness and desire to crush all competition led him to a perfect Finals record and a whopping 10 scoring titles. When MJ played, he wanted to leave no doubt that he was the best scorer and best overall player who would win no matter what. Hard to argue with the results, as MJ will forever be the most competitive basketball player ever.
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