Every NBA Team’s Best Player In The 1990s

The 1990s can and should be considered the golden era of NBA basketball. The decade began with the 2nd of back-to-back championships for the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons. From there, The Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, took home 3 championships in a row knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns. Jordan then retired for the 1994 and most of the 1995 season, opening the door for a new team to take the crown. That team would be the Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, who would go back-to-back in 1994 and 1995. Michael Jordan would return fully in 1996, which led to three more dominant years of the Chicago Bulls.  

The decade came to a close with a young man named Tim Duncan leading the charge in San Antonio for their first title in franchise history. Many young and exciting players debuted during this decade as well. Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway formed a dynamic duo down in Orlando with the Magic. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp made Seattle basketball must-watch television in the 90s. Today, we reminisce about one of the best eras of basketball in NBA history.

Here are the best NBA players from every team in the 1990s.

Atlanta Hawks – Dominique Wilkins

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Hawks): 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

As the 90s rolled in, Dominique was still the same old high-flying scoring machine with the Atlanta Hawks. In the 5 years that he played with the Hawks in the 90s, Wilkins averaged 27.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 1.3 SPG. The thing is that the team around him was never really good. He led the Hawks to the playoffs twice in the 90s, but both trips resulted in first-round losses. Perhaps Wilkins’ most impressive feat of the decade was what he did after the 1991-92 season.

42 games into the 1991-92 season, Wilkins suffered a torn Achilles during a regular-season game. The injury was considered to be a death sentence for NBA careers at the time. Wilkins wasn’t your typical human, though. He came back in 1992-93 to play 72 games and averaged 29.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.0 SPG on 46.8% shooting. He had completely altered his game after losing much of the explosive athleticism that had made him so well-known. His production and his heart make him the greatest Hawks player of the 90s.

Boston Celtics – Antoine Walker

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Celtics): 1x All-Star

Choosing a player for the Boston Celtics during the 90s is extremely difficult. The team was bad especially compared to the 80s championship Big 3. Larry Bird could have been the choice for the 90s, but he retired in 1992. Reggie Lewis should have been the choice for the 90s, but he unexpectedly passed away in 1993. The only answer we could come up with to represent the 1990s Boston Celtics is the first few years of Antoine Walker.

As his career went on, Walker got a reputation as a shot-chucker who never met a shot he wasn’t going to take. While that was partially true, his first three years in the NBA were a bit different. He averaged 19.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 1.5 SPG on 42.2% shooting. This included an All-Star season in 1997-98 when he averaged 22.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG. Although the 90s Celtics were a rough team to watch, Antoine Walker stood out above the rest.

Brooklyn Nets – Derrick Coleman

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Nets): 1x Rookie Of The Year, 1x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection

The hype surrounding Derrick Coleman coming out of Syracuse University as the No. 1 overall pick in 1990 was electric. He proved to be worth it in his first few seasons, taking home the 1991 Rookie of the Year award. He averaged 18.4 PPG and 10.3 RPG while showing a supreme versatile skill set for a big. Of course, Coleman was a bully on the block, showcasing his strength to back defenders down and finesse to finish with a soft touch. He also was one of the first bigs to step out beyond 16 feet and take jumpers at nice efficiency.

When the 1992-93 season came around, Coleman had developed into a 20.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG player. He would be selected to the only All-Star team of his career in 1993-94, when he averaged 20.2 PPG and 11.3 RPG. He would put up another stellar season in 1994-95 when he averaged 20.5 PPG and 10.6 RPG. The 1994-95 season would be his final season in New Jersey as he was traded to the Sixers in exchange for Shawn Bradley and Tim Perry.

Charlotte Hornets – Glen Rice

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Hornets): 3x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 2x All-NBA Team Selection

Glen Rice was one of the few pure shooters during the 1990s. He could hit his shot from anywhere on the floor with his high-release and smooth shooting stroke. He came to the Hornets in the 1995-96 season and only stayed 3 seasons but still became their best player of the decade. If you want to make an argument for Larry Johnson, be my guest, but I’m sticking to my guns on Glen Rice.

In his 3 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Rice averaged 23.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. He shot 46.9% from the field overall and 44.4% from three-point range over those three years. He was an All-Star for all three seasons with the team and was 4th in the league in scoring in 1997 with 26.8 PPG. He also led the league in three-point percentage that season with 47.0% on 5.6 attempts per game. Rice’s three-year stretch in the late 90s makes him their best player of the decade.

Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Bulls): 6x NBA Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 4x MVP, 7x All-Star, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 7x All-Defensive Team Selection

The 1990s were when Michael Jordan cemented his legacy as the greatest basketball player of all time. After years of coming up short in the 80s to the Celtics and Pistons, Jordan and the Bulls finally broke through in 1991 and never looked back. Jordan led the Bulls to 6 championships in the decade with two separate three-peats. If you don’t have him as your G.O.A.T, whatever, but who else can win three in a row, retire, and come back to win three more in a row? Nobody.

Michael Jordan played a total of 35 NBA Finals games during the 1990s. In those games, he averaged 33.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG. Jordan also shot the ball at 48.1% overall. Not only is he the greatest player of all-time overall, but he is the greatest player on the biggest stage in the game as well. He also took home 4 MVP awards and 7 of his 10 total scoring titles in the 90s. Let’s not forget that this is the time that the game went global, with fans all over the world becoming enamored with Jordan’s style of play.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Mark Price

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Cavaliers): 3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

Mark Price is one of the most underrated point guards in the history of the game. He was an efficient shooter from both three-point range and inside of it. He ran an immaculate pick and roll game with center Brad Daugherty that was rivaled only by the tandem of Malone and Stockton. They were so successful because of the way that Price could split the defense. He was so fast with the ball that he always had the advantage on the first step to make it look so easy.

Price had already established himself as an All-Star and spectacular point guard before the 90s rolled around. He added more to his legacy as the decade went on. He made the first All-NBA First Team in 1992-93, having already been selected to the Third Team twice. That season, he averaged 18.2 PPG and 8.0 APG on 48.4% shooting overall and 41.6% from three. He would make another All-NBA Third Team in 1993-94 and led the Cavs to the playoffs 5 times during the 90s. This included a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992, and without the guidance of Mark Price, the team doesn’t get that far.

Dallas Mavericks – Jason Kidd

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Mavericks): 1x Rookie Of The Year, 1x All-Star

The 1990s was a time of reconstruction and rebuilding for the Dallas Mavericks. The departures of Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman left the Mavs in desperate need of finding their next core to take them to the playoffs once again. Jason Kidd, along with Jamal Mashburn and Jim Jackson, were supposed to be that core, but we all know how that turned out. Thanks, Toni Braxton. Among the drama, Jason Kidd emerged as a diamond in the rough and was well on his way to becoming one of the top point guards in the NBA.

Kidd burst onto the scene as the Rookie of the Year award winner in 1994-95. He averaged 11.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 7.7 APG, and 1.9 SPG. He had already shown that he could be the best passer, playmaker, and perimeter defender on his team. His rebounding numbers for a point guard were astounding at the time, adding to his resume as an elite talent. He made his first All-Star appearance in 1995-96, when he averaged 16.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 9.7 APG, and 2.2 SPG. He would be traded halfway through the following season, but he had left his mark on the franchise at that point.

Denver Nuggets – Dikembe Mutombo

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Nuggets): 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 3x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection 

From 1992 to 1996, Dikembe Mutombo began his career with the Denver Nuggets and established himself as the NBA’s best defender in the process. He let it be known that he was a premier shot-blocker straight away, averaging 3.0 BPG as an All-Star rookie in 1992. He would never average less than 3.0 BPG in a season while wearing a Nuggets uniform. He led the league in BPG from 1994 through 1996 as well.

Mutombo took home the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994-95 when he led the league in blocks with 3.9 BPG. He also pulled down 8.7 DRB as well as 12.5 RPG overall. There was no denying who the best defensive big man in basketball was before long. Mutombo was the only player who could rival David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon in that department at the time. He took Denver to the playoffs twice, which resulted in a second-round loss to the Jazz in 1994 and a first-round sweep at the hands of the Spurs in 1995.

Detroit Pistons – Joe Dumars

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Pistons): 1x NBA Champion, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x All-Defensive Team Selection

Joe Dumars is probably the most underrated member of the “Bad Boys” Pistons teams. The 1989 Finals MVP made huge contributions on both sides of the ball throughout his career, and it was in the 90s that it showed itself without being in someone else’s shadow. In the 1990 NBA Finals, when the Pistons took down the Trail Blazers in 5 games, Dumars averaged 20.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 5.6 APG. It was the second of back-to-back titles for Detroit, and make no mistake about it, they don’t get there without Joe Dumars.

For three out of the next four seasons, Dumars eclipsed the 20.0 PPG and 4.0 APG mark. He averaged 21.0 PPG and 4.5 APG over that stretch and made the All-Star Team each season. He was named to the All-Defensive Team each season as well and an All-NBA Team member from 1991 through 1993. He would be named an All-Star twice more with Detroit in 1995 and 1997.

Golden State Warriors – Chris Mullin

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Warriors): 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

Chris Mullin was the embodiment of what it meant to be a Warrior in the 90s. He consistently played 40.0 MPG or more while appearing in 70 games or more every season. He was an efficient scoring machine who used to put the team on his back when they needed a bucket the most. He was a career 50.8% shooter from the field overall and 38.4% shooter from deep. He was a decent off-ball defender as well, often eclipsing 2.0 SPG in a season.

Mullin made 4 straight All-Star games to begin the 90s. Over that stretch, he averaged 25.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.9 SPG. In 1991-92, Mullin was named to the first and only All-NBA First Team of his career. He averaged 25.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.1 SPG that season while shooting 52.4% from the field. Mullin led the Warriors to the playoffs 3 times in the 90s with 2 first-round exits and a second-round exit.

Houston Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Rockets): 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1x MVP, 2x Defensive Player Of The Year, 7x All-Star, 8x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection

Hakeem Olajuwon was the NBA’s most skilled center to ever play the game. That skill was on full display on both sides of the ball in the 1990s. On offense, Hakeem was virtually unstoppable in the post, usually shaking defenders out of their shoes with his patented Dream Shake. He also could knock down mid to medium-range jumpers regularly, and for a man his size, he created his shot off the dribble extremely well. Defensively, he may have just been the best defensive center of all time during the 90s with Houston. Olajuwon averaged 3.5 BPG and 1.8 SPG as one of the elite rim protectors in the game.

Olajuwon’s resume is special, there is no doubt, but the best back-to-back seasons are easily when he led the Rockets to 2 titles in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, Hakeem and the Rockets matched up with the New York Knicks. Hakeem averaged 26.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, and 3.9 BPG in 7 games to deliver the title to Houston. The following season, they found themselves matched up against a young Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic. Hakeem averaged 32.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 5.5 APG in the 4-game sweep.

Indiana Pacers – Reggie Miller

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Pacers): 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

Reggie Miller was the ultimate pest in his days with the Pacers in the 1990s. His routine was to get in opponents’ heads while breaking them down with his superior shooting ability and a knack for breaking hearts in clutch time. The Pacers were routinely a playoff team during the 90s, and Reggie Miller was the catalyst for that success.

For the entire decade of the 90s, Miller averaged 21.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 1.2 SPG. His job was to knock down shots and play defense, which he did very well. Miller was also a 40.9% 3-point shooter for the decade, as well as being a 48.2% shooter overall and an 88.4% free throw shooter. In 78 playoff games in the 90s, Miller was just as valuable, averaging 23.0 PPG and 1.1 SPG on 40.9% shooting from three.

Los Angeles Clippers – Danny Manning

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Clippers): 2x All-Star

Coming out of Kansas University, Danny Manning had a lot of hype surrounding his game. It was warranted as he proved to be one of the most versatile bigs in the league almost right away. He could shoot from anywhere on the court, including three-point range, and he was almost impossible for bigs to guard off of the dribble with his speed and handles. An injury slowed him down a bit later on in his career but not before he made himself the Clippers’ best player of the 90s.

It didn’t take long for Danny Manning to showcase his versatile skill set as a big in the NBA. In his first 5 and a half seasons with the Clippers, Manning averaged 19.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. He became an All-Star in 1992-93, when he averaged 22.8 PPG and 6.6 RPG. He followed it up the next season with another All-Star appearance before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

Los Angeles Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Lakers): 2x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Selection

Shaq is more well-known for his days with the Magic when it comes to the 90s, but his 3 seasons to begin his Lakers career were no joke either. Shaq was just putting on more weight and muscle from his Orlando days and evolving into the most dominant force in NBA history while putting up historical numbers. In his 3 90s seasons with the Lakers, Shaq led the NBA in field goal percentage twice in 1998 and 1999. This would be a theme for the rest of his Laker days.

In the 3 seasons with the Lakers, O’Neal averaged 27.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. His arrival made them perennial playoff contenders before their three-peat that started in 2000. In the 3 playoff runs, he averaged 28.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 2.5 BPG while advancing only as far as the second round. The first glimpses into Shaq’s dominant days land him as the Lakers’ best 90s player.

Memphis Grizzlies – Shareef Abdur-Rahim

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Grizzlies): 1x Rookie Of The Year

The fact that Shareef-Abdur-Rahim was never an All-Star during the 90s is a testament to the level of competition at the time. Abdur-Rahim was a scintillating scorer in the early part of his career before knee injuries slowed him down. He was a decent spot-up shooter from within the arc, but his go-to moves were off of the dribble. With either hand, he could blow by defenders and finish at the rim, or he could simply create a short jumper going either way.

Shareef came onto the scene after a great career at Cal University. He won Rookie of the Year in 1997, averaging 18.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. He was a decent and lengthy perimeter defender who made his defensive living with weak side help and the blocks that came with it. In his 3 years with the Grizzlies in the 90s, he averaged 21.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.1 BPG. Sadly, the Grizzlies never made the playoffs with Abdur-Rahim on the team.

Miami Heat – Alonzo Mourning

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Heat): 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

Alonzo Mourning didn’t make his debut for Miami until the 1995-96 season, but his impact in those 3 years lands him on our list today. In these three years, Mourning was crowned the best defender in basketball in 1999 and was easily becoming one of the best shot blockers at the time. The production he had on the offensive side of the ball was an added bonus to his elite defense.

Mourning was an All-Star right away with the Heat, posting 23.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and 2.7 BPG in 1995-96. He was named an All-Star again the following year, posting similar offensive and defensive numbers. In the 1998-99 season, Alonzo was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league in blocks with 3.9 BPG. He did it again the next season with 3.7 BPG as well. What made his award-winning season so impressive were the offensive numbers he added to it. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 11.0 RPG, as well as the league-leading block numbers.

Milwaukee Bucks – Vin Baker

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Bucks): 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Vin Baker was the team leader and go-to guy for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1990s. His career in Milwaukee only lasted 4 seasons, but he emerged as an All-Star and consistent scorer during that time. Baker was physical and tough and happened to benefit from that in rebounding and scoring in the post. He made his way to the top of the power forward rankings in just a few short seasons, but he let it be known just how talented he was.

In his 4 years with the Bucks, Baker averaged 18.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 1.3 BPG. He became an All-Star in the 1994-95 season and made 2 more teams in a row in 1996 and 1997. During those seasons, Baker was a monster who was guaranteed to give you 20.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG a night. He had no problem going toe-to-toe with the game’s best at the power forward position, which eventually put him there himself. Baker battled alcoholism and depression after leaving the Bucks, leading to a much shorter career.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Timberwolves): 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Kevin Garnett was not yet the MVP two-way monster he ended up being in the 2000s, but he was still the Timberwolves’ best player of the 90s as well. Coming straight out of high school, Garnett started his career coming off of the bench, but it didn’t take long to crack the starting lineup. Defensively, he was able to hang with bigs in the post as well as step out on guards on the perimeter. Offensively, he was elusive and strong in the post with a finesse game to finish around the basket. He also knocked down mid to medium-range shots with ease.

After an up-and-down rookie season, Garnett became an All-Star in his 2nd and 3rd seasons. He was rewarded for his efforts on both sides of the ball, becoming one of the best two-way power forwards in basketball at just 20 years old. In those two All-Star seasons, Garnett averaged 17.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.5 BPG. Keep in mind that he was only 20 and 21 years old at the time. 

New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Knicks): 8x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

Patrick Ewing is one of those centers from the 90s whose skill and production was overshadowed by the likes of Shaq, Hakeem, and David Robinson. The truth is that Ewing should be considered right next to those guys for among the best of the decade. Ewing was a force on the offensive end with a clean turnaround and set mid-range jumper. He had a soft touch around the rim as well and impacted the game as much as anyone else on the defensive side of the ball.

For most of the decade with the Knicks, Ewing was selected as an All-NBA Second Team center. Meaning he was one of the 3 best centers in basketball for most of the decade, taking the Knicks to heights they hadn’t seen since the title teams of the 70s. For most of the decade, he averaged a minimum of 2.5 BPG as well, showing his value on the defensive end, which many fans tend to forget. In the 90s with the Knicks, Ewing averaged 24.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 2.7 BPG, including the years he began to decline in the latter half of the 90s. Ewing led the Knicks to the playoffs 9 times in the decade as they were legitimate title contenders for most of the time.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Gary Payton

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with SuperSonics): 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 5x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection

Many remember Gary Payton for his stellar defense from the point guard position in the 90s. What people tend to forget is just how good he was on offense as well. He was a premier point guard of the decade who ran Seattle’s offense to perfection, just how George Karl asked him to. Payton ran a potent offense next to guys like Shawn Kemp and Detlef Schrempf to a perfect tune. He brought heart and a fiery passion for the game every single night on the court. What’s not to love about a guy like that?

From the 1994-95 season to the end of the decade, Payton averaged at least 19.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 2.0 SPG. He took home the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1995-96, becoming the first point guard to win it in the award’s history. That same season, Payton led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. In the Finals, Payton averaged 18.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 6.3 RPG, and 1.5 SPG in the 6-game series loss. Yes, we should honor Payton for his defense but don’t sleep on how important he was offensively either.

Orlando Magic – Shaquille O’Neal

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Magic): 1x Rookie Of The Year, 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

Shaquille O’Neal is the only player to appear on this list twice, and with good reason. Shaq spent just 4 seasons with the Magic to begin his career, but those 4 years were some of the best in franchise history. He laid out one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history and, as a young man, led an inexperienced team to the NBA Finals in 1995. Shaq’s arrival was thought to be the rising of the Magic franchise, and for some time, it was.

Shaq’s dominant rookie season looked like this. He had averages of 23.0 PPG, 13.9 RPG, and 3.5 BPG. Shaq took home every rookie of the month award and all but 1 rookie of the week award throughout the season. He made the All-Star team as a rookie and increased the Magic win total from 21 wins to 41 wins in one year. Shaq took home a scoring title in 1994-95 with his 2nd straight 29.3 PPG season. This was the year Shaq would lead Orlando to the NBA Finals with a playoff run of 25.7 PPG and 11.9 RPG. Shaq put the world on notice upon his arrival in Orlando, and that lands him as their best player of the 90s.

Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Iverson

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with 76ers): 1x Rookie Of The Year, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Allen Iverson made his name in the 2000s with Philly, but for the final 3 years of the decade, he was just as good. From a young age, Iverson showed his crafty handles and scoring ability was going to be a huge problem for opponents in the NBA ranks. As a young man, he showed no fear when facing off against superstars like Michael Jordan as he was prepared to face the biggest challenges head-on. He also had no issues taking the ball to the rim against the elite power forwards and centers of the 90s, scoring at the rim easily and often.

Iverson’s rookie year was special. He averaged 23.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 2.1 SPG. Many forget how good Iverson was at getting his hands in passing lanes, whether he was on or off the ball. He averaged at least 2.0 SPG for the first 9 seasons of his career. In just his 3rd season, Iverson took home the NBA scoring title when he averaged 26.8 PPG in 48 games played. He also finished 4th in MVP voting this season. He wouldn’t become an All-Star and MVP until the decade ended, but he still did enough to make our list here today.

Phoenix Suns – Charles Barkley

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Suns): 1x MVP, 4x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection

Coming in from the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1992-93 season, Charles Barkley made an immediate and immense impact on the Phoenix Suns. The team had been close to the NBA Finals the previous 2 seasons, and Barkley was the piece that they thought they were missing to put them over the hump. He did that, and then some, as he became the MVP of the 1992-93 season and brought Phoenix to the Finals in his first year with them.

Barkley won the 1992-93 MVP award with averages of 25.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. Many remember Barkley for his rebounding and defensive skills but forget how well he ran the floor and was deadly in transition offense. He also possessed the ability to back down any defender and hit jump shots on a regular basis. In his 4 years with the Suns, Barkley averaged 23.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG. They qualified for the playoffs all 4 years but peaked with their trip to the 1993 Finals.

Portland Trail Blazers – Clyde Drexler

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Trail Blazers): 5x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection

Had it not been for a man named Michael Jordan, we would be talking about Clyde Drexler as the best shooting guard in the 1990s. During this decade, he led the Trail Blazers to two separate NBA Finals, and while they lost them both, they did not get there without Clyde’s services. As a scorer, he was dominant and constantly beat defenders off the dribble and made off-ball cuts for easy baskets at the rim. He soared through the air with perfect rhythm and energy. They don’t call him “Clyde The Glide” for nothing.

Portland’s first trip to the Finals was in 1990 behind a stellar season from Drexler. He averaged 23.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 5.9 APG and led the team to 59 wins. They would lose to the Pistons in the NBA Finals, but the NBA world was on notice. Portland would make it back to the Finals in 1992 behind a near MVP season from Drexler. He finished 2nd behind Michael Jordan in the voting with 25.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 6.7 APG. They would meet the Bulls in the Finals, where Jordan took it personally that Clyde was being compared to him and beat the Trail Blazers in 6 games.

Sacramento Kings – Mitch Richmond

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Kings): 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection

Mitch Richmond is easily one of the most underrated players of the entire 1990s. He was a relentless scorer who made opponents pay from all three levels. He was lighting fast with the ball in his hands, making him impossible to guard in transition situations. Richmond scored the 4th most points of the decade behind only Malone, Jordan, and Robinson. The main reason Richmond goes undervalued is that the Kings were astronomically bad during the decade, reaching the playoffs just once in 1996.

In each of his 7 seasons with the Kings, Richmond averaged over 21.0 PPG. His final averages with the team were 23.3 PPG and 4.1 APG on 45.6% shooting. Despite his incredible scoring over the course of 7 seasons, Richmond was never considered an MVP candidate due to his team’s poor record. Regardless, someone has to be the best player on one of the worst teams in the NBA, and for the Kings, that was Mitch Richmond.

San Antonio Spurs – David Robinson

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Spurs): 1x NBA Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 1x Rookie Of The Year, 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x All-Defensive Team Selection

David Robinson was among the elite big men in the 1990s. From his first season, where he increased the Spurs’ win total by 30 games, to hoisting the NBA title in 1999, Robinson did it all on the court. He was an offensive guru who demolished opponents in the post and could shoot a bit when he stepped out 8-10 feet. Defensively, he was a mastermind who blocked shots and locked down some of the NBA’s best centers in the decade.

David Robinson accomplished as much as you can accomplish in the NBA. He won Rookie of the Year in 1990. He won a rebounding title in 1991 with 13.0 RPG. Robinson won a blocks title in 1992 with 4.5 BPG and took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. He won a scoring title in 1994 with 29.8 PPG. He won the MVP award in 1995 with averages of 27.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 3.2 BPG. Finally, even though he was past his prime, he raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1999. He is solidified as a Top 10 center of all time and the Spurs’ best player of the 1990s.

Toronto Raptors – Damon Stoudamire

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Raptors): 1x Rookie Of The Year

Even though Damon Stoudamire was listed at 5’11”, he stood eye-level amongst giants during his first two and a half seasons with the Toronto Raptors. The southpaw had a silky-smooth jumper, and his athleticism allowed him to blow by defenders and display an uncanny ability to finish at the rim. It was apparent from the beginning that he was set to become a star in the NBA.

Stoudamire was drafted by the Raptors with their first-ever draft pick in 1995. He rewarded them by taking home Rookie of the Year honors with 19.0 PPG and 9.3 APG on 42.6% shooting. Stoudamire followed it up with a second season of 20.2 PPG and 8.8 APG. He would be traded halfway through the following season to the Portland Trail Blazers for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, and Gary Trent. Stoudemire’s time in Toronto was short-lived, but his impact made him their best of the 90s.

Utah Jazz – Karl Malone

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Jazz): 2x MVP, 9x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection

Karl Malone was one of the best overall players of the 1990s, regardless of his off-the-court issues. He wound up scoring the 2nd most points in NBA history at the time of his retirement and made opponents cringe at the thought of matching up with him. Malone was physical and strong but ran the floor like a cat, making him unstoppable on fast breaks. He was one of the few who had an impeccable face-up game in the post and also hit mid-range shots at a regular clip. Not to mention the beauty of the pick-and-roll game he played with John Stockton.

Karl Malone is still the franchise leader in points and rebounds, among other things, but his greatest accomplishments for Utah came in the later part of the decade. He won MVP in both 1997 and 1999 while taking the Jazz to the Finals in 1997 and 1998. Malone and the Jazz fell to the Bulls in both appearances, but it was the best team Utah had ever put together. In the 90s with the Jazz, Malone averaged 27.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG.

Washington Wizards – Juwan Howard

1989-90 to 1998-99 Achievements (with Wizards): 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Juwan Howard was one of the most coveted players from Michigan’s Fab Five in the 1994 NBA Draft, and the Washington Bullets jumped at the chance and took him with the 5th overall pick. His career in Washington started with a bang as he averaged 19.3 PPG and 7.9 RPG for them in his first 5 seasons. He was rewarded as the NBA’s first $100 million man, and even though he didn’t fully live up to the contract, he deserved it at the time.

In his 6 and a half seasons with Washington, Howard averaged 18.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG. In 1996, he would be selected to the only All-Star and All-NBA Team of his career. He averaged 22.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 4.4 APG. He would eventually be traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2001 and won 2 championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

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