• SLAM Magazine released an NBA all-time top 75 in 2003
• Even though Michael Jordan was No. 1, the rest of the list is fascinating to see
• Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were surprisingly low
Any list that seeks to rank the greatest players in NBA history will always be fluid as more players rise up the all-time rankings with every passing season. Stephen Curry is now considered a top-10 player of all time, even though he may not have been in that mix after the end of the 2021 season.
Time changes how we perceive stars, even after they retire. This was evident with SLAM Magazine’s 2003 compilation of the top 75 players in NBA history. Even though they had Michael Jordan as the No. 1 option, the rest of the list would look very different today. This was their top 10.
1. Michael Jordan
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Oscar Robertson
4. Bill Russell
5. Magic Johnson
6. Larry Bird
7. Kareem-Abdul Jabbar
8. Jerry West
9. Shaquille O’Neal
10. Julius Erving
11. Elgin Baylor
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
13. Karl Malone
14. Bob Petitt
15. John Havlicek
16. Moses Malone
17. Isiah Thomas
18. John Stockton
19. Charles Barkley
20. Walt Frazier
21. Rick Barry
22. Bob Cousy
23. Elvin Hayes
24. Dave Cowens
25. George Gervin
26. Kevin McHale
27. Dominique Wilkins
28. Patrick Ewing
29. Willis Reed
30. Wes Unseld
31. George Mikan
32. Earl Monroe
33. Nate Thurmond
34. Dolph Schayes
35. Walt Bellamy
36. David Robinson
37. Billy Cunningham
38. Paul Arizin
39. Dave DeBusschere
40. Alex English
41. Scottie Pippen
42. Nate Archibald
43. Adrian Dantley
44. Clyde Drexler
45. Bernard King
46. Bob McAdoo
47. Gary Payton
48. Artis Gilmore
49. Jerry Lucas
50. Pete Maravich
51. Hal Greer
52. Reggie Miller
53. Allen Iverson
54. Dan Issel
55. Tim Duncan
56. Robert Parish
57. James Worthy
58. Sam Jones
59. Kobe Bryant
60. Lenny Wilkens
61. Jason Kidd
62. Bob Lanier
63. Dennis Johnson
64. Chris Webber
65. Chris Mullin
66. Mark Aguirre
67. Connie Hawkins
68. Spencer Haywood
69. Dennis Rodman
70. Kevin Garnett
71. Dave Bing
72. Alonzo Mourning
73. Bill Walton
74. Grant Hill
75. Tracy McGrady
The list had many interesting selections, such as Allen Iverson at No. 53, Tim Duncan at No. 55, Kobe Bryant at No. 59, Kevin Garnett at No. 70, and even Tracy McGrady at No. 75.
Many players have risen over time due to how their legacy has aged as time has passed. At least MJ was No. 1 then and is considered No. 1 in Fadeaway World’s top 75 players of all-time list as well, though LeBron James is in the mix now.
Why Are Retired Players Ranking Differently Now?
Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson were retired before 2003 but they are ranked differently nowadays. Kareem is usually considered the third-greatest of all time, with Chamberlain and Robertson usually finding a place somewhere in the top 10 or just outside of that.
Kareem’s 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game career average, six championships, six MVPs, and his status as the all-time leading scorer until very recently have aged well as accomplishments. It’s ensured his place in the top five of virtually every all-time list, including Fadeaway World’s all-time GOAT pyramid.
The focus on championship success for all-time players is far greater now. Wilt averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game for his career, but his Finals record of 2-4 is held against him. The mythical nature of his stats are also being challenged more often now, but there will be a fair number of records that’ll always be held by Wilt the Stilt.
Robertson had made NBA history by averaging a triple-double for a season, something he did multiple times. At the time, his all-around versatility was considered an incredible tool. Now, we have seen Russell Westbrook not only break his all-time triple-double record but average it over a full season four times as compared to Oscar’s one. Robertson’s lack of championships as compared to Kareem and other modern greats has docked him in all-time positions as time has passed. Robertson averaged an incredible 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for his career but won just one title.
There are plenty of modern-era players that would be considered top 75 players, as even the NBA admitted with their 75th Anniversary List. LeBron, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and many more have earned their places on this list.
A top 75 all-time list could look very different by the end of even 2025, let alone 2033. The likes of Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and many others are gunning for their place on the list in the future.
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