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Home > NBA News & Analysis > How The 25 Greatest NBA Players Of All-Time Performed In Their Rookie Seasons

How The 25 Greatest NBA Players Of All-Time Performed In Their Rookie Seasons

Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Oscar Robertson had some of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history.

Nick Mac
Jan 20, 2023
38 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

Whenever we converse about or debate the Top 25 NBA players of all time, we often talk about the entirety of their careers. Stats, impact, accolades, longevity, and so on are all included, or at least they should be, in those rankings. No matter who you have in your Top 25, one thing cannot be denied. Each and every one of those players had to start somewhere. Whether these players came out of high school or played four years of college, they all had a rookie season that began their NBA journey.

Contents
  • 25. Charles Barkley
  • 24. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • 23. David Robinson
  • 22. Elgin Baylor
  • 21. Dirk Nowitzki
  • 20. Julius Erving
  • 19. Kevin Garnett
  • 18. Dwyane Wade
  • 17. Moses Malone
  • 16. Karl Malone
  • 15. Jerry West
  • 14. Oscar Robertson
  • 13. Stephen Curry
  • 12. Kevin Durant
  • 11. Hakeem Olajuwon
  • 10. Wilt Chamberlain
  • 9. Tim Duncan
  • 8. Shaquille O’Neal
  • 7. Larry Bird
  • 6. Bill Russell
  • 5. Kobe Bryant
  • 4. Magic Johnson
  • 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • 2. LeBron James
  • 1. Michael Jordan
    • Next
    • The NBA Players Who Have Won The Most Finals MVP Awards: Michael Jordan Is The Real GOAT With 6 Trophies
    • Comparing Current NBA Superstars To NBA Legends: LeBron James Is Magic Johnson
    • The All-Time NBA GOAT Pyramid: There Is Only One GOAT
    • The Most Accomplished Active NBA Players: Rings, MVPs And Finals MVPs Combined
    • 37-Year-Old LeBron James vs. 38-Year-Old Michael Jordan Full Comparison

Today, the point of the words below is to explore each and every member of the all-time Top 25’s rookie season in depth. We will take a look at their best performances during that season, the accolades they received that season, and the careers they went on to have afterward. The point of this is to take a look at how things changed from their rookie season and how they eventually wound up as a Top 25 player and, for some, how they ended up as some of the greatest playoffs, Finals, and overall performers ever. One of the most interesting parts of any player’s journey in the NBA is the beginning, so allow us to exude that knowledge to you today.

These are the Top 25 players of all time and how they performed during their rookie season.


25. Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley

Rookie Stats: 14.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG

In the 1984 NBA Draft, Charles Barkley was selected as the No. 5 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. Barkley was to join a 76ers team two years removed from an NBA championship that had synch stars as Moses Malone and Julius Erving already established as stars in the NBA. Barkley established himself as a defender and rebounder as he grabbed 703 rebounds which ranked 17th in the NBA for that season. That season, the Sixers would make a run to the Conference Finals with Barkley coming off the bench. He proved to be a huge addition averaging 14.9 PPG and 11.1 RPG in 31 minutes of play.

As Barkley’s career progressed, he became one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game. He would go on to earn 11 All-Star selections, 1 rebounds titles, and 11 All-NBA Team selections which included five First Team spots. Barkley was named the 1993 MVP and, that same season led the Suns to the NBA Finals. Often considered one of the best players to never win an NBA championship, Barkley would also go down as one of the greatest power forwards in league history.


24. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Rookie Stats: 6.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The Giannis Antetokounmpo that we know now as the greatest player in the world was not always revered that way in fans’ or critics’ eyes. Giannis made just 23 starts in his rookie year, with another 54 appearances off the bench. He averaged a career-low 6.8 PPG and 4.4 RPG in the least amount of minutes in his career as well. Antetokounmpo was named to the All-Rookie Second Team but would never have a season as uneventful again.

What a difference a few years makes, right? In 2016-17, Giannis would be an All-Star and one of the best two-way players in basketball. He would win the 2017 Most Improved Player as well, and in 2019, he would win the first of two MVP awards. In 2020, Giannis would be named both the Defensive Player of the Year and the MVP with an incredible season, and in 2021, he would reach the pinnacle of success. Giannis would lead the Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971 and be named Finals MVP in the process.


23. David Robinson

David Robinson

Rookie Stats: 24.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.9 BPG

David Robinson’s rookie season was an interesting one. He was drafted 1st overall by the Spurs in 1987 but wouldn’t make his NBA debut until the 1989-90 season after spending two years in the U.S. Navy. In Robinson’s 1989-90 rookie season, the Spurs would improve by 35 wins from the season before as Robinson cruised to the Rookie of the Year award. With his incredible two-way play, Robinson would also finish sixth in the NBA’s MVP race.

Robinson would go on to have a Top 10 center of all-time career. He would win the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year award averaging 2.3 SPG and a league-leading 4.5 BPG. In 1995, Robinson would be named MVP, averaging 27.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.7 SPG, and 3.2 BPG. He would help the Spurs win NBA titles in 1999 and 2003 as well and overall, he would earn 10 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, and 8 All-Defensive Team selections in his career.


22. Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor

Rookie Stats: 24.9 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 4.1 APG

Elgin Baylor was a superstar from the moment he arrived in the NBA. Baylor would play 70 games in his 1958-59 rookie season and run away with the unanimous Rookie of the Year award. Baylor would also be named an All-Star and finished third in the MVP voting as he led the Lakers to a 33-39 record. Baylor’s best game as a rookie would be a 55-point performance in which he also grabbed 12 rebounds and shot 57.9% from the floor and 11-17 from the foul line.

Baylor is easily remembered as one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history. He holds numerous playoff and NBA Finals scoring records in his 8 NBA Finals appearances. Unfortunately for Baylor, he was never able to win an NBA championship with the Lakers, but he did earn 11 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA Team selections in his career.


21. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki

Rookie Stats: 8.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Dirk Nowitzki’s rookie year would be nowhere near the player he would become in his NBA career. Nowitzki was traded by the Milwaukee Bucks on draft night in exchange for Robert Traylor. With the Mavericks in 1998-99, he would appear in just 47 games with 24 starts as the team’s power forward. His best performance would come in an April meeting with the Suns. Dirk would score 29 points on 62.5% shooting and grab 8 rebounds along with 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Over the course of the next 19 seasons, Nowitzki would have an amazing career as one of the best power forwards to ever play the game. He made it acceptable for 7-footers to hang out at the 3-point line with his teardrop shot from deep. In 2007, Nowitzki would win his first and only MVP award as he averaged 24.6 PPG and 8.9 RPG. In 2011, he would lead the Mavericks to their first NBA title on an improbable run and claim the Finals MVP award to cap it all off.


20. Julius Erving

Julius Erving 76ers

Rookie Stats: 21.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Julius Erving’s rookie season can only be counted depending on which season you believe it was. After being selected 12th overall by the Bucks in the 1972 NBA Draft, Erving decided to join the ABA, where he would play for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets. In 1976, he would make his NBA debut for the Philadelphia 76ers. Erving would finish 5th in MVP voting but did not receive consideration for the Rookie of the Year due to his service in the ABA previously.

Julius Erving would lead the Sixers to a total of 5 NBA Finals appearances in his career. He would capture his lone NBA title in 1983 with the team averaging 21.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.8 BPG. In 1981, Erving won his only NBA MVP award (he won 2 MVPs in the ABA), averaging 24.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.1 SPG, and 1.8 BPG. Erving is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history and certainly one of the most influential in league history as well.


19. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett

Rookie Stats: 10.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG

In 1995, Kevin Garnett was the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft straight out of high school. The Minnesota Timberwolves made him a Top 5 pick with their selection, and it turned out to be the greatest draft pick in their team’s history. Although not polished yet on offense, Garnett was a defensive powerhouse who played 80 games for the team in 1995-96. Although great, Garnett would finish sixth in the Rookie of the Year race and lose out to Damon Stoudamire for the award.

Garnett would go on to become the greatest player in Minnesota Timberwolves’ history as an all-time great on both sides of the ball. In 2004, he won his only MVP award averaging 24.2 PPG, a League-leading 13.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.2 BPG. In 2008, he won Defensive Player of the Year in his first season with the Celtics and would end up capturing his first NBA title that season as well.


18. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade

Rookie Stats: 16.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Dwyane Wade was the 5th overall pick by the Miami Heat in 2003 out of Marquette. Wade was a spectacular rookie who wowed audiences with his athleticism and speed at such a young age. Wade would finish 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but fans knew he was going to become one of the greats. His best game came against the Warriors when he dropped 33 points to go with 8 assists in a win.

Just two seasons later, Dwyane Wade would lead the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship. He grabbed Finals MVP after helping the Heat dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole against the Mavericks. In 2012 and 2013, Wade would help Miami capture two more NBA championships. Overall, Wade was named a 13-time All-Star, 8-time All-NBA Team selection, and 3-time All-Defensive Team selection.


17. Moses Malone

Moses Malone

Rookie Stats: 13.2 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.2 BPG

Moses Malone is another player who decided to spend some time in the ABA before joining the NBA. After two seasons in the ABA, Malone made his debut with the Buffalo Braves in 1976-77. After just two games, Malone was shipped to Houston, where he had a much better chance at becoming a star. His best performance as a rookie came with 25 points and 23 rebounds against the Pistons in a win.

With the Rockets, Malone would become a 2-time MVP and win three of his six career rebounding titles. In 1983, Malone was traded to the 76ers. In his first season with the Sixers, Malone would win his third MVP award and lead the Sixers to an NBA championship. He would win Finals MVP honors as well and finish his career among the top players in points and rebounds. Overall, Malone would be an All-Star 13 times, an All-NBA Team selection eight times, and a 2-time All-Defensive Team selection.


16. Karl Malone

Karl Malone

Rookie Stats: 14.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Karl Malone was the 13th pick in the 1985 NBA Draft selected by the Utah Jazz. Malone would finish behind Xavier McDaniel and Patrick Ewing in Rookie of the Year voting, but it was well-known that he would be one of the greats in the future. His best game as a rookie came with 29 points and 14 rebounds against a Houston team featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson.

Malone would go on to enjoy one of the greatest careers that didn’t end with an NBA championship. Malone would win MVP awards in 1997 and 1999 while also leading the Jazz to NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He appeared in one more Finals with the Lakers in 2004 but once again fell to the Pistons. Overall, Malone earned 14 All-Star selections, 14 All-NBA selections, and 4 All-Defensive selections.


15. Jerry West

Jerry West

Rookie Stats: 17.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.2 APG

Jerry West was well ahead of his time, and even as a rookie, everybody knew this to be true. West possessed a silky smooth jumper and exceptional handles for his era, which led him to 9 NBA Finals appearances in his career. Although he wasn’t named Rookie of the Year, West still had an amazing season that peaked with a 38-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against the Warriors.

West’s silhouette is used as the logo for the NBA, which happens to be one of his greatest accomplishments. West was named an All-Star in every season of his career, one of few players to accomplish that feat. He was named an All-Star 14 times, an All-NBA Team selection 12 times, and an All-Defensive Team selection five times. In 1972, West helped the Lakers win an NBA championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain and is also known as one of the greatest executives in NBA history.


14. Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson

Rookie Stats: 30.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 9.7 APG

Oscar Robertson’s rookie season is one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history. He averaged over 30.0 PPG and fell just .3 assists shy of averaging a triple-double for the entire season. He was the runaway Rookie of the Year winner as he accumulated 44 30-point games. His best performance came in a December game against the Syracuse Nationals. In that contest, Robertson had 45 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds.

Robertson is quite clearly a Top 5 point guard to ever play the game. He was the first player to ever averaged a triple-double on the season in 1962. In 1964, he won the MVP award when he averaged 31.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 11.0 APG. In his career, Robertson won seven assists titles as well as one scoring title. In 1971, Robertson helped the Bucks capture their first NBA championship alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In his career, Robertson was an All-Star 12 times, an All-NBA Team selection 11 times, and a 3-time All-Star Game MVP.


13. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry

Rookie Stats: 17.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

When Stephen Curry made his debut for the Warriors in the 2009-10 season, everyone knew he could shoot, but no one saw what was coming next. He finished runner-up to the Rookie of the Year award despite leading the rookie class in assists. His best game as a rookie came when he dropped 43 points against the Trail Blazers, along with 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

Over the last 14 seasons, Stephen Curry has erupted as the greatest shooter in NBA history. He broke Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record in 2022 and has won two MVP awards, including the NBA’s only unanimous one. Curry has led the Warriors to 4 NBA championships in his career in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He claimed his only Finals MVP award in 2022 in a Finals victory over the Celtics. He has been named an All-Star eight times and an All-NBA Team selection eight times in his career.


12. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

Rookie Stats: 20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Kevin Durant came out of college as arguably the best prospect in his draft class. He burst onto the scene in 2007-08 with a Rookie of the Year campaign of over 20.0 PPG on 43.0% shooting. Durant was well on his way to becoming the all-time scorer he is known as today. His best game as a rookie came in April 2008 against the Warriors. In that game, Durant dropped 42 points along with 13 rebounds and six assists on 18-25 from the field.

In the time since his rookie year, Durant has been on a war path as an offensive player. He has won himself 4 scoring titles averaging over 30.0 PPG twice. In 2014, Durant was named MVP when he averaged 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 5.5 APG. In 2017 and 2018, Durant led the Golden State Warriors to back-to-back NBA championships. He claimed both Finals MVP awards in the two series as well. When it is all said and done, Durant will be known as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.


11. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

Rookie Stats: 20.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.7 BPG

It was clear from the first time Hakeem Olajuwon ever stepped on an NBA basketball court that he was going to go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Hakeem was already one of the best interior defenders in the NBA as a rookie, and his offensive game was well-polished. He lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Michael Jordan but still had a season that any rookie would have dreamed of. His best game as a rookie came when he had 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a December loss to the Warriors.

Over the next 17 seasons, Olajuwon would establish himself as one of the best defenders in NBA history. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in both 1993 and 1994. In 1994, he was also named the MVP when he averaged 27.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, and 3.7 BPG. He led the Rockets to two of the best NBA Finals runs in NBA history, winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, as well as both Finals MVP awards.


10. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain

Rookie Stats: 37.6 PPG, 27.0 RPG, 2.3 APG

Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest rookie in NBA history. He led the NBA in both scoring and rebounding in a rout for the Rookie of the Year award as well as the MVP award. Chamberlain registered 60 games with at least 30 points and 32 with at least 40 points. Wilt was a freak of nature, standing over 7’0’’ tall with a 48-inch vertical leap. He was virtually unstoppable from the moment he stepped on the court and would be that way for most of his career.

Wilt’s statistical dominance would continue over the next 12 seasons. He would win three more MVP awards in his career as well as 7 scoring titles in a row to begin his career. He would also win 11 rebounding titles and averaged 22.9 RPG for his career. Chamberlain would lead both the Sixers and Lakers to NBA championships in his career and was rewarded with the 1972 Finals MVP award. Overall, Wilt earned 13 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, and two All-Defensive Team selections.


9. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan

Rookie Stats: 21.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.5 BPG

As a rookie, Tim Duncan had one of the great rookie seasons that we have ever seen. He established himself as one of the better interior defenders in basketball, as well as a serious threat on offense. He was the runaway Rookie of the Year as well as an All-Star selection in his rookie year. His best performance came in March 1999 when he scored 35 points to go with 17 rebounds and five blocks in a loss to Golden State.

The very next season, Duncan led the Spurs to an NBA championship and won Finals MVP honors. Over the next two decades, Duncan would deliver five NBA championships to San Antonio as well as three Finals MVP awards. Duncan would also win two MVP awards during his career and has gone down as the greatest power forward in NBA history. Overall, he was named to 15 All-Star teams, 15 All-NBA Teams, and 15 All-Defensive Teams.


8. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

Rookie Stats: 23.4 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 3.5 BPG

As a rookie, Shaq wasn’t exactly the Big Diesel that we know him as today but make no mistake, he was just as dominant. He improved the Orlando Magic’s record by 20 wins in his first season and ran away with the honor of Rookie of the Year. Shaq was fast for a man his size, athletic, and a force to be reckoned with in the paint. His best game as a rookie came in a February matchup with the Pistons. O’Neal scored 46 points in that contest to go along with 21 rebounds and five blocks.

Over the next 17 seasons, O’Neal would have a career reminiscent of the all-time greats. He peaked in the early 2000s when he won an MVP award, three NBA titles, and three Finals MVP awards from 2000 thru 2002. Over that time, O’Neal averaged 28.6 PPG, 12.4 RPG, and 2.6 BPG. In his career, O’Neal was a 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA Team selection, and a 2-time scoring champion.


7. Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Rookie Stats: 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Larry Bird’s rookie season is among the best that we have seen over the last 40 years. Bird was almost an unknown during his time at Indiana State until a rivalry with Magic Johnson brought him into the spotlight. He entered the NBA at 23 years old and immediately made the Celtics an NBA contender. His best game as a rookie was a 45-point, 13-rebound performance in a loss to the Suns.

Larry Bird would have one of the greatest peaks in NBA history over the next decade. He would win three MVP awards in a row from 1984 thru 1986 and the Rookie of the Year award in 1980. He would lead Boston to three NBA championships during the 1980s and claim two of the Finals MVP awards. Larry Bird’s career was cut short due to back issues, but the impact he made before it came to an end is still the stuff of legend in the NBA community to this day.


6. Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Rookie Stats: 14.7 PPG, 19.6 RPG, 1.6 APG

If anything was clear from the time Bill Russell got to the NBA, it was that he was a winner. Russell himself said that he could have been a high scorer but focused on rebounding and defense which is what he mastered and did best. Russell led the NBA in rebounds as a rookie just as he would do four more times in his career. Russell would win an NBA championship with the Celtics as a rookie and 10 more in his NBA career as well.

What else is there to say for Bill Russell during his NBA career? He is the only NBA player in history with 11 championships and he won the second-most MVPS with five. Russell is highly regarded as the best winner, rebounder, and defender in NBA history. He was a blessing on and off the court for all that knew him and he forever changed the way the game is played with his dominant style. Overall, he was an All-Star 12 times, an ALl-NBA Team selection 11 times, and an All-Defensive team selection once.


5. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

Rookie Stats: 7.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Kobe Bryant’s rookie season can only be described as the worst season of his career. Coming out of high school, NBA coaches had a hard time trusting Bryant which is part of the reason he wound up in Los Angeles. Bryant made just six starts in his rookie season with 65 appearances off the bench. He played just 15.5 minutes per game and could barely make an impact for his team with such little chance to do so.

The rest of Bryant’s career was nothing but up from his rookie year. Bryant was the second-best player on three NBA championship teams, winning two more as the best in 2009 and 2010. He would win one MVP award in 2008, averaging 28.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, and 1.8 SPG. He accumulated the most All-Defensive Team selections by a guard with 12 and 15 All-NBA Team selections. He was an 18-time All-Star and one of the most influential players of the last 50 years.


4. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Rookie Stats: 18.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Magic Johnson was another rookie who has an argument for the greatest rookie season in NBA history. It wasn’t so much for what he did in the regular season but what he did in the playoffs that made it so. Johnson missed out on Rookie of the Year honors but was still able to turn around a Lakers franchise that was constantly losing in the big game and finishing with less-than-great team records.

As a rookie, Johnson would lead Los Angeles to the NBA Finals. In Game 6, Johnson filled in for Kareem at the center and delivered one of the greatest Finals closeout games in NBA history. He was named Finals MVP as a rookie Magic would go on to win four more NBA titles in his career and two more Finals MVP awards. He also won three MVP awards as a Laker and became known as the greatest point guard in NBA history.


3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Rookie Stats: 28.8 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 4.1 APG

The next three players to grace our list all have a legitimate case to be considered the greatest player in NBA history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 1970, Kareem cruised to the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award with over 28.0 PPG and over 14.0 RPG. His best game came in February 1970 when he scored 51 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a win over the SuperSonics.

Kareem would become an NBA champion and Finals MVP in just his second season with the Bucks in 1971. Over the course of the next 18 seasons, Kareem would win 4 more NBA championships as well as six MVP awards, the most for any player in NBA history. Kareem would be a major part of five NBA titles with the Lakers in the 19080s en route to becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Ranked at No. 3 on most all-time lists, Kareem is truly one of the GOATs in NBA history.


2. LeBron James

LeBron James

Rookie Stats: 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Coming out of high school, LeBron James was tabbed as the chosen one and the player who was supposed to carry the next generation of basketball. He did just that and it all started with an incredible rookie season. James was named Rookie of the Year in a close race with Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade but it was only the first of many more accolades in his career. His best rookie game came when he dropped 41 points and 13 assists in a win over the Nets.

For 20 seasons, LeBron James has made a serious case to be considered the greatest NBA player ever. He has led three different teams to NBA championships, winning four in total. He has won all four Finals MVP awards in 10 NBA Finals appearances during his career. On top of those accomplishments, he is a 4-time MVP, 18-time All-Star, 18-time All-NBA Team selection, and a 6-time All-Defensive Team selection. Did I mention he was on the brink of breaking Kareem’s scoring record and is still a top player in the league at 38 years old?


1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Rookie Stats: 28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG

When he was drafted third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, many knew Michael Jordan was going to be a star. I do not think anyone knew that he was going to go down as the greatest player to ever live. Jordan kicked into gear from the moment he stepped onto the court, winning Rookie of the Year over such greats as Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley. Jordan was on his way to the greatest career in NBA history and everyone saw it once his rookie season commenced. His best game as a rookie came when he had 49 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 steals in a win over the Pistons. He had seven games with at least 40 points that season.

It was only up from there as Jordan continued to dominate the league from that point on. He would go on to win 5 MVP awards, one Defensive Player of the Year award, and led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in eight seasons during the 90s. Jordan is the most accomplished NBA player ever with 14 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA Team selections, nine All-Defensive Team selections, and six Finals MVP awards. There is no question who the true GOAT of the NBA is and it all started as a rookie from North Carolina in 1984.

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Next

The NBA Players Who Have Won The Most Finals MVP Awards: Michael Jordan Is The Real GOAT With 6 Trophies

Comparing Current NBA Superstars To NBA Legends: LeBron James Is Magic Johnson

The All-Time NBA GOAT Pyramid: There Is Only One GOAT

The Most Accomplished Active NBA Players: Rings, MVPs And Finals MVPs Combined

37-Year-Old LeBron James vs. 38-Year-Old Michael Jordan Full Comparison

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TAGGED:Hakeem OlajuwonKareem Abdul-JabbarKevin DurantKobe BryantLarry BirdLeBron JamesMagic JohnsonMichael JordanShaquille O'NealStephen CurryTim DuncanWilt Chamberlain
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ByNick Mac
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Nick Mac is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Sag Harbor, NY. Specializing in in-depth articles that explore the history of the NBA, Nick is particularly knowledgeable about the 1990s to 2000s era. His interest in this period allows him to provide rich, detailed narratives that capture the essence of basketball's evolution. Nick's work has not only been featured in prominent outlets such as CBS Sports and NBA on ESPN but also in various other notable publications.In addition to his writing, Nick has produced sports radio shows for Fox Sports Radio 1280 and The Ryan Show FM, showcasing his versatility and ability to engage with sports media across different formats. He prides himself on conducting thorough interviews with significant figures within the basketball world before drafting substantial pieces. His interviews, including one with Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin, underscore his commitment to authenticity and accuracy in reporting. This meticulous approach ensures that his articles are not only informative but also resonate with a deep sense of credibility and insight. 
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