Every once in a while, you will hear a former NBA player or even a media member say, “This player won a championship, or this player won an MVP, he can now sit at the table with these other legends”. Two recent examples of this explain it far better than I could. When Stephen Curry captured a fourth NBA title and his first Finals MVP, many stated that he could now sit at the table with the 10 greatest players in history. When LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s scoring record earlier this season, suddenly it didn’t seem too crazy that he could “sit at the table” with Michael Jordan in GOAT conversations.
- Table 5
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Elgin Baylor, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson
- Table 4
- Moses Malone, Dwyane Wade, Julius Erving, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett
- Table 3
- Hakeem Olajuwon, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson
- Table 2
- Bill Russell, Shaquille O’Neal, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain
- GOATs Table
- Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant
Below, we have compiled five different “tables” based on what the greatest NBA players in history accomplished in their careers. By no means is this a ranking but rather five groups of NBA greats with similar careers hanging out at the lunch table just like kids do in high school. Of course, there is always a head of the table, and some groups are definitely more popular than others. The truth is that all five of these tables are what makes the NBA so spectacular in their own ways.
These are the NBA lunch tables for the greatest players of all time.
Table 5
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Elgin Baylor, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson
The first table that we would like to introduce may seem a bit over the place, but when you weigh their accomplishments, it makes a lot more sense. Giannis Antetokounmpo is definitely the head of the table with his two MVP awards, the Defensive Player of the Year award, and an NBA championship. He is one of two players at this table with a championship and the only one with a Finals MVP award. One main reason for Giannis being included with this group is that his story is still being written, which makes judging his legacy a bit premature. Still, he is the head of this table quite clearly.
To his sides are Elgin Baylor and Karl Malone, two all-time great forwards who, without them, the story of the NBA could not be told. Malone is a former two-time MVP and two-time NBA Finalist who has scored the third-most points in NBA history and is number one all-time for power forwards. Baylor helped the Lakers transition from their days in Minneapolis to Los Angeles by advancing to eight NBA Finals but falling short every time. Baylor was also an 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA Team selection, former All-Star Game MVP, and Rookie of the Year.
Rounding out Table 5 are two more all-time great big men in Charles Barkley and David Robinson. Barkley is a former MVP and member of the 1992 Men’s Olympic Dream Team. He earned 11 All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA Team selections in his career as well as one rebounding title and one All-Star Game MVP. David Robinson was at his peak as a player during the 1990s. He was the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year as well as the 1995 MVP. Robinson would win two NBA championships later in his career alongside a member of a different table, Tim Duncan.
Table 4
Moses Malone, Dwyane Wade, Julius Erving, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett
The following table consists of NBA players with numerous Finals appearances, MVP awards, and perhaps a Finals MVP or a collection of accolades that is consistent with their level of greatness. Moses Malone sits at the head of the table with three MVP awards and the 1983 Finals MVP award. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds and averaged 20.3 PPG and 12.3 RPG for his career. Malone was a six-time rebounding champion and 13-time All-Star in his career as well.
On either side of Malone are Dwyane Wade and Julius Erving. In 2006, Wade led the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship while taking home Finals MVP honors. He would add two more championships in 2012 and 2013 as well and is widely regarded as the third-best shooting guard in NBA history. Julius Erving is one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history and when we combine his ABA records, he arguably belongs at an even more legendary table. Erving scored over 30,000 points in his career between the ABA and NBA and is an ABA and NBA champion and MVP as well.
Rounding out Table 4 are two all-time great power forwards in NBA history. First, Dirk Nowitzki earns his seat at the table as one of the greatest international players to ever play the game. He ranks top 10 all-time in points scored and was the 2007 MVP as well as an NBA champion and Finals MVP in 2011. Kevin Garnett was a powerful and dominant two-way forward who also left his mark on the NBA. Garnett was named the 2004 MVP and is the Minnesota Timberwolves all-time leader in most major categories. In 2008, Garnett earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and went on to win an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.
Table 3
Hakeem Olajuwon, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson
The group in Table 3 is arguably the one that I would like to sit down with most. At the head of the table, we have the greatest international player in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon. Hakeem terrorized opponents for 18 seasons with the Rockets and Raptors, winning the 1994 MVP award, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two NBA championships and Finals MVP awards in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots and won three blocks titles, two rebounding titles, and earned nine All-Defensive Team selections in his career.
Right beside Olajuwon are former teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. As two of arguably the best offensive players ever, it is only right that they take their seats next to Hakeem. Curry changed the NBA by becoming the greatest three-point shooter that ever lived. He earned four NBA titles, two MVPs, and a Finals MVP in his career as well as smashing the NBA’s all-time three-point record. Durant is also one of the most talented scorers to ever play the game. He won four scoring titles in his career and has the second-most points ever scored by a small forward. Durant won the 2014 MVP award as well as the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals and Finals MVP awards.
The final two members of Table 3 are two more of the greatest statistical players at their positions in NBA history despite their lack of NBA championships. Oscar Robertson was the first man to ever average a triple-double for an entire season and one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Robertson won one scoring title and seven assists titles in his career. He was also named the 1961 Rookie of the Year, the 1964 MVP, and won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. Jerry West is quite literally the NBA logo and one of the most influential players in NBA history. West is a former Finals MVP and the only man to do so in a losing effort. He owns one of the highest career PPG in playoff history with 29.1 PPG and led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances in his career. He won one championship in 1972 and was a 14-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA Team selection.
Table 2
Bill Russell, Shaquille O’Neal, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain
There aren’t many players who can join the group that makes up Table 2. At the head of the table is none other than the greatest defender and rebounder in NBA history, Bill Russell. Instead of trying to dominate as a scorer, Russell perfected the art of defense and rebounding to the tune of 11 NBA championships and 12 NBA Finals appearances in just 13 years of play. Russell was also one of the game’s fiercest warriors off the court fighting for equality and taking a stand against the injustices being done around the world.
Next to Russell at table two are Shaquille O’Neal and Larry Bird. They are arguably the second-greatest players at their position and made an unforgettable impact on the game. At his peak, O’Neal was arguably the most dominant player ever who led the Lakers to a three-peat as NBA champions from 2000 thru 2002 while claiming all three Finals MVP awards. O’Neal also boasts an MVP in 2000 and a fourth NBA title in 2006. Larry Bird’s career was cut a bit short due to back issues, but he was still able to accomplish a ton in a short time. He led the Celtics to three NBA titles during the 1980s and won three straight MVP awards from 1984 thru 1986. Bird would also add two Finals MVP awards on top of an already stacked career.
Capping off a legendary group at Table 2 are two more of the greatest big men to ever play the game. Tim Duncan made the San Antonio Spurs a dynasty during the late 90s and 2000s, leading them to five NBA championships from 1999 thru 2014. Duncan was also the winner of three Finals MVP awards and two MVP awards. The final member of Table 2 rewrote the history books as a scorer and rebounder, and with the time he spent on the court. Wilt Chamberlain is the only man to ever score 100 points in a game and average over 50.0 PPG in a season. He won two NBA championships with the Sixers and Lakers, the 1972 Finals MVP award, and four MVP awards.
GOATs Table
Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant
The final table is reserved for the true GOATs of the game and the ones who history will remember as the five greatest players ever. At the head of the table is none other than the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan. For 15 seasons, Jordan took over the NBA with 10 scoring titles, five MVP awards, six NBA championships, and six Finals MVP awards to the tune of two three-peats. Jordan is the NBA’s record-holder for most Finals MVPs, most Finals MVPs and MVPs combined, scoring titles, and the highest regular season and playoff career scoring average.
Of course, right next to Jordan is LeBron James, the only man with a legitimate case to take over his GOAT status. James is a four-time MVP, champion, and Finals MVP, as well as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. He has been to 10 NBA Finals and is the all-time leader in most major categories during the NBA playoffs. Across from him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the former scoring leader and NBA record holder with six MVP awards. Kareem is also a six-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP winner.
The final members of Table 1 are two former legends who played their entire careers with the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships during the 1980s, winning three MVP awards and three Finals MVP awards. Johnson is widely viewed as the greatest point guard in NBA history and on top of the Lakers’ GOAT pyramid. Kobe Bryant was a global icon during his 20 seasons with the Lakers from 1997 thru 2016. Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and one-time MVP who leads all shooting guards and players in Lakers history in scoring.
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