There has been talk in the media that Luka Doncic is already one of the top-75 players of all time, a list that includes a host of superstars and Hall of Famers with exceptional accolades. While Luka is still young and clearly does not belong in the top-75 list just yet, it leads one to question which current players truly belong on the list of the 75 greatest players.
- Players Certainly Making Top-75 (GUUAARAAAANTEEEEE)
- LeBron James
- Kevin Durant
- Stephen Curry
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Kawhi Leonard
- Chris Paul
- High Probability Of Making Top-75
- James Harden
- Russell Westbrook
- Debatable Inclusions
- Anthony Davis
- Damian Lillard
- Nikola Jokic
- Career Statistics: 18.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
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We have compiled the list of players who will certainly be among the greatest 75 players, with zero doubts on their resume and track records as first-ballot Hall of Famers. But we have also added players who are not certain inclusions but have high chances based on their individual success. Lastly, there are current players who are debatable inclusions and need to produce more in their careers to enter legendary status.
Players Certainly Making Top-75 (GUUAARAAAANTEEEEE)
LeBron James
Career Statistics: 27.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG
There is no question that LeBron James is making the list of the greatest 75 players ever. In fact, many feel that James belongs on Mt. Rushmore of NBA legends and that he has an argument for being the greatest to ever do it.
The King has 4 NBA championships, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 MVPs, and will most likely break the record for most points scored of all time. Adding in 19 years of dominance and we have the best small forward to have ever played the game.
Kevin Durant
Career Statistics: 27.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Another no-brainer, Kevin Durant would have been a superstar in any era and on any team. Arguably the most unstoppable scoring forward of all time, Durant mixes 6’10” with guard-like skills and a sniper of a jump shot.
Even if critics want to place asterisks by his NBA championships, Durant is a 4-time scoring champion and a former MVP who also might be the best NBA player to ever play for Team USA. On talent alone, Durant is a top-15 player ever and one of the best offensive talents of all time.
Stephen Curry
Career Statistics: 24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
The greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry is widely recognized as one of the players who has changed the game forever. Much like Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal did, Curry dominated the game thanks to one particular skill: shooting.
Curry has 3 titles, 2 MVPs, and might be the greatest offensive guard the Golden State Warriors have ever produced. There is no denying Curry changed the game, and if he can add another championship or two to his resume, he could be a top-10 player ever.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Career Statistics: 20.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Winning an NBA title has catapulted The Greek Freak’s status to first-ballot Hall of Famer. Giannis added an NBA title to a list of accolades which include 2 MVPs and a Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Finals MVP is also the most freakish athlete we have ever seen.
Giannis is 6’11” yet can move across the floor with just a few steps with lightning speed. He also has a mentality of an all-time great, because he continues to add components to his game. The Greek Freak has accomplished more than most players by age 26, and has a lot left in the tank.
Kawhi Leonard
Career Statistics: 19.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Kawhi Leonard slips under the radar at times because of his non-vocal character, but there is no denying he is one of the best small forwards ever. At age 30, Kawhi has 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, and 2 Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
The Claw is one of the most dominant defensive players of his time, and what he did for the Toronto Raptors will go down in NBA history as one of the greatest playoff runs ever. Leonard is a product of the San Antonio Spurs, but he has reached new heights as an all-time great since then.
Chris Paul
Career Statistics: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
A perfect point guard and floor general, Chris Paul has achieved almost everything there is to achieve as an All-Star. Paul is an 11-time All-Star, 4-time assist leader, 6-time steals leader, and has made 10 All-NBA Teams. Quite simply, the point guard is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
What seems to be eluding Chris Paul is an NBA championship, but he managed to lead the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals and that alone should complete the legacy of one of the best floor generals ever.
High Probability Of Making Top-75
James Harden
Career Statistics: 25.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
James Harden, on offensive talent alone, should be a top-75 player. But there are a few factors that prevent The Beard from being a certain inclusion such as his track record of slacking on defense and not being himself in the playoffs.
But if he can win an NBA title or two with the Nets, Harden is an easy inclusion in the top-75. The 3-time scoring champion also has an MVP Award while making 9 All-Star Teams over his career. The Beard has a lot left to achieve in this game which is why he has a very high probability of making the cut.
Russell Westbrook
Career Statistics: 23.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Just like his former teammate James Harden, Westbrook is a first ballot Hall of Famer who has a few factors holding him back from certainty. For one, Westbrook has a reputation of being an individual player who does not help team success. While that can be proved or disproved, Westbrook’s talent cannot be denied.
The 9-time All-Star and 2-time scoring champion had one of the best MVP seasons in NBA history in 2017 and has managed to average a triple-double 4 times in his career. There hasn’t been a point guard like Westbrook before which is why he has a high probability of getting into the top-75 list.
Debatable Inclusions
Anthony Davis
Career Statistics: 23.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.3 BPG
As things stand, Anthony Davis probably has a good chance of making the top-75 list. His talent as a power forward or center is unmatched because he can score from the perimeter and inside the paint while locking down the defensive end. But he is still a debatable inclusion.
Davis is an NBA champion, 8-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA big man who is as special as it comes. But he needs to add more individual accolades (such as a scoring title, MVP, Finals MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year) to catapult him to another level. Until then, he is still a debatable inclusion.
Damian Lillard
Career Statistics: 24.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Damian Lillard is a top-2 point guard in the NBA and has been for a few years now. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court with ease makes him one of the best scorers of his generation, and one of the best players in Trail Blazers history.
The 6-time All-Star has not made an NBA Finals yet, and getting bounced in the first round over the past few seasons does not help his legacy. Still, Lillard is an unbelievable talent and if he can start racking up wins in the playoffs, he has a good shot for being a top-75 player.
Nikola Jokic
Career Statistics: 18.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Nikola Jokic is already on the right track after winning an MVP Award and solidifying his status as the best passing big man of all time. The Serbian superstar plays below the rim, yet makes the game look so effortless. We have not seen a center quite like him before, because he can also spread the floor at a high level.
Jokic has a great chance of succeeding with the Denver Nuggets, which means he has a shot for being an easy inclusion into the top-75 players’ list. Whether it’s passing, scoring inside, or hitting threes; Jokic has a complete game and will likely retire as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
