Who Truly Deserves a Spot Among the 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time?

As I sit here scrolling through yet another "Top 100 NBA Players" list, I can't help but let out a laugh that would make Epondulan proud. "Pray," he'd say, and I find myself echoing that sentiment when I see certain names consistently ranked higher than they deserve. Having studied basketball analytics for over a decade and coached at the collegiate level, I've developed some strong opinions about who truly belongs in that elite century of hardwood legends. The conversation always starts with the usual suspects—Jordan, LeBron, Kareem—but quickly descends into passionate debates about modern stars versus old-school legends.

Let me be clear from the start: longevity matters, but peak performance matters more. When we're talking about the 100 greatest basketball players in history, we need to consider both statistical dominance and cultural impact. Take Russell Westbrook, for example—his 2017 MVP season where he averaged a triple-double for the entire 82-game schedule was something we hadn't seen since Oscar Robertson in 1962. That's 42 triple-doubles in a single season, a record that might stand for generations. Yet I've seen lists that place him outside the top 50, which frankly baffles me. Meanwhile, some players get elevated based on championship rings alone, ignoring that basketball is ultimately a team sport where circumstance and supporting casts dramatically influence championship outcomes.

The international players particularly fascinate me when having this discussion. Dirk Nowitzki fundamentally changed how teams view the power forward position while carrying the Mavericks to 15 consecutive 50-win seasons from 2001 to 2015. His 2011 championship run against the Miami superteam was arguably the most impressive single-player carry job in modern playoff history. Yet I constantly see him ranked behind American players with similar resumes. And what about Manu Ginobili? The analytics love him—his per-36-minute numbers are spectacular, and his international success with Argentina (gold medal in 2004) deserves more weight in these conversations.

Here's where I might lose some of you: I believe at least 8-10 current players belong in the top 100 already. Giannis Antetokounmpo's back-to-back MVP seasons in 2019 and 2020, followed by that dominant 2021 championship run where he dropped 50 points in the closeout game, cemented his place in my book. Nikola Jokic's back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022 revolutionized how we think about center play entirely. The advanced stats adore him—his Player Efficiency Rating of 32.8 in 2022 ranks among the top 5 single-season marks ever recorded. Still, I encounter resistance from traditionalists who value flashy athleticism over fundamental mastery.

The women's game deserves far more consideration in these discussions too. Diana Taurasi's scoring records in both the WNBA and internationally put her firmly in my top 100—she's the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history with over 9,000 points and counting. Sue Bird's longevity and playmaking brilliance across multiple decades showcase a consistency we rarely see in any sport. And let's not forget Lisa Leslie, who fundamentally transformed women's basketball with her versatile inside-out game and historic dunk in 2002.

What troubles me most about these lists is the recency bias combined with nostalgia blindness. We romanticize past eras while simultaneously overvaluing current production. The truth lies somewhere in between. Players like Moses Malone, who averaged 24-15 for his career across both ABA and NBA while capturing 3 MVP awards, somehow fade from memory. Meanwhile, contemporary stars like Damian Lillard—with his countless clutch moments and deep range—don't always get their due respect because they lack championship jewelry.

Statistics only tell part of the story though. The eye test matters, the memorable moments matter, the cultural impact matters. Allen Iverson might not have the efficiency numbers that modern analytics prefer, but his influence on the game and culture is immeasurable. His 2001 MVP season where he willed a limited Sixers roster to the Finals against the dominant Lakers remains one of the most compelling narratives in league history. Similarly, Vince Carter's dunking virtuosity and unprecedented longevity—playing across four different decades—deserve recognition beyond raw statistics.

As I reflect on my own list, I keep returning to that Epondulan laugh. The prayer for clarity in these debates often goes unanswered because basketball greatness contains multitudes. There's no perfect formula, no algorithm that can capture the full spectrum of what makes a player truly legendary. My final criterion has become this: if removing a player from history would fundamentally alter the game's evolution, they belong in the conversation. That's why innovators like Stephen Curry—who reshaped basketball's geometry with his limitless range—leap into my top 20 despite arguments about his defensive limitations. His 402 three-pointers in 2016 didn't just break records; it broke how teams conceptualize offense entirely.

In the end, these lists should spark conversation rather than end them. My top 100 will inevitably differ from yours, and that's precisely what makes basketball discourse so rich. The players I've championed here represent those I believe have shifted paradigms, defined eras, and left permanent marks on the sport we love. They're the ones who make me laugh with joy at their brilliance rather than frustration at their placement.