Panelists unveil ballots for NBA's Greatest 75 players: Jordan, LeBron, Wilt and also Sikma, Horry

Jeff Zillgitt Mark Medina Matt Eppers Larry Starks USA TODAY
Published Updated

When making out a list of the Greatest 75 players in NBA history, there are bound to be some selections that might seem like a head scratcher.

Of course, players like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, George Mikan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be on any list of the Top 75 great players. The trick is where they appear on any given list.

Jordan was No. 3 on one list. LeBron didn't make everyone's Top 5. Kobe was No. 14 on one list, No. 15 on another. Recent Hall of Fame inductee Chris Bosh showed up on fewer lists (2) than Ben Wallace (4). Even Jack Sikma, a seven-time All-Star, and Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion, got a vote.

Today, we reveal how each panelist voted. And they offered a video explanation on why they voted as they did. The panel consisted of Jeff Zillgitt, Mark Medina, Nancy Armour, Dan Wolken, Matt Eppers, Larry Starks and Larry Berger of USA TODAY; Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic; Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal; Berry Tramel of the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman; Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal; Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press; and former USA TODAY NBA writers J Michael and Greg Boeck.

JEFF ZILLGITT

JEFF ZILLGITT

Zillgitt has been a national NBA reporter for the past 12 years at USA TODAY.

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  1. LeBron James
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Wilt Chamberlain
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. Bill Russell
  7. Shaquille O'Neal
  8. Kobe Bryant
  9. Tim Duncan
  10. Larry Bird
  11. Kevin Durant
  12. Oscar Robertson
  13. Hakeem Olajuwon
  14. Karl Malone
  15. Stephen Curry
  16. Julius Erving
  17. Jerry West
  18. Moses Malone
  19. Dirk Nowitzki
  20. Elgin Baylor
  21. David Robinson
  22. Charles Barkley
  23. Bob Pettit
  24. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  25. Scottie Pippen
  26. Kevin Garnett
  27. Dwyane Wade
  28. Kawhi Leonard
  29. John Stockton
  30. James Harden
  31. Allen Iverson
  32. Steve Nash
  33. Isiah Thomas
  34. John Havlicek
  35. Chris Paul
  36. Patrick Ewing
  37. Jason Kidd
  38. George Mikan
  39. Russell Westbrook
  40. Dominique Wilkins
  41. Bob Cousy 
  42. Walt Frazier
  43. George Gervin
  44. Anthony Davis
  45. Rick Barry
  46. Kevin McHale
  47. Dolph Schayes
  48. Elvin Hayes
  49. Clyde Drexler
  50. Reggie Miller
  51. Paul Pierce
  52. Bob McAdoo
  53. James Worthy
  54. Gary Payton
  55. Ray Allen
  56. Manu Ginobili
  57. Kyrie Irving
  58. Carmelo Anthony
  59. Damian Lillard
  60. Tracy McGrady
  61. Vince Carter
  62. Tony Parker
  63. Wes Unseld
  64. Dennis Rodman
  65. Alex English
  66. Bill Walton 
  67. Bernard King
  68. Pete Maravich
  69. Willis Reed
  70. Earl Monroe
  71. Bob Lanier
  72. Paul Arizin
  73. Nikola Jokic
  74. Dave Cowens
  75. Dwight Howard
MARK MEDINA

MARK MEDINA

Medina has been a national NBA reporter for the past two years at USA TODAY. He also has covered the Warriors and Lakers for newspapers in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Bill Russell
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. Larry Bird
  7. Kobe Bryant
  8. Tim Duncan
  9. Shaquille O’Neal
  10. Hakeem Olajuwon
  11. Wilt Chamberlain
  12. Stephen Curry
  13. Oscar Robertson
  14. Kevin Durant
  15. Jerry West
  16. Julius Erving
  17. Karl Malone
  18. Dirk Nowitzki
  19. Moses Malone
  20. Scottie Pippen
  21. Elgin Baylor
  22. Kevin Garnett
  23. Charles Barkley
  24. David Robinson
  25. Kawhi Leonard
  26. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  27. Dwyane Wade
  28. John Stockton
  29. Steve Nash
  30. Isiah Thomas
  31. Allen Iverson
  32. Jason Kidd
  33. James Harden
  34.  John Havlicek
  35. George Mikan
  36. Kevin McHale
  37. Patrick Ewing
  38. Bob Pettit
  39. Walt Frazier
  40. Chris Paul
  41. Bob Cousy
  42. Ray Allen
  43. Reggie Miller
  44. Dominique Wilkens
  45. Rick Barry
  46. Clyde Drexler
  47. Elvin Hayes
  48. George Gervin
  49. Russell Westbrook
  50. Anthony Davis
  51. Carmelo Anthony
  52. Bill Walton
  53. James Worthy
  54. Tracy McGrady
  55. Klay Thompson
  56. Gary Payton
  57. Vince Carter
  58. Chris Mullin
  59. Pau Gasol
  60. Paul Pierce
  61. Draymond Green
  62. Wes Unseld
  63. Bob McAdoo
  64. Dennis Rodman
  65. Manu Ginobili
  66. Willis Reed                           
  67. Robert Parish
  68. Alonzo Mourning
  69. Earl Monroe
  70. Dave Cowens
  71. Alex English
  72. Pete Maravich
  73. Bernard King
  74. Tony Parker
  75. Damian Lillard
MATT EPPERS

MATT EPPERS

Eppers is a NBA digital producer at USA TODAY

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Bill Russell
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. Wilt Chamberlain
  7. Larry Bird
  8. Kobe Bryant
  9. Jerry West
  10. Oscar Robertson
  11. Tim Duncan
  12. Hakeem Olajuwon
  13. Kevin Durant
  14. Shaquille O’Neal
  15. Moses Malone
  16. Elgin Baylor
  17. Stephen Curry
  18. Julius Erving
  19. John Havlicek
  20. Scottie Pippen
  21. Dirk Nowitzki
  22. Kevin Garnett
  23. Kawhi Leonard
  24. Karl Malone
  25. Dwyane Wade
  26. Charles Barkley
  27. Isiah Thomas
  28. Allen Iverson
  29. Steve Nash
  30. Bob Cousy
  31. David Robinson
  32. Chris Paul
  33. Rick Barry
  34. John Stockton
  35. Walt Frazier
  36. James Harden
  37. Bill Walton
  38. George Gervin
  39. Willis Reed
  40. Jason Kidd
  41. Kevin McHale
  42. Bob Pettit
  43. Patrick Ewing
  44. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  45. Russell Westbrook
  46. Dave Cowens
  47. George Mikan
  48. Gary Payton
  49. Ray Allen
  50. Clyde Drexler
  51. Elvin Hayes
  52. James Worthy
  53. Paul Pierce
  54. Dominique Wilkins
  55. Carmelo Anthony
  56. Tracy McGrady
  57. Bernard King
  58. Dwight Howard
  59. Hal Greer
  60. Wes Unseld
  61. Nate Thurmond
  62. Paul Arizin
  63. Bob McAdoo
  64. Alex English
  65. Reggie Miller
  66. Dave DeBusschere
  67. Robert Parish
  68. Dennis Rodman
  69. Damian Lillard
  70. Dolph Schayes
  71. Tommy Heinsohn
  72. Earl Monroe
  73. Tiny Archibald
  74. Pete Maravich
  75. Tony Parker
NANCY ARMOUR

NANCY ARMOUR

Armour is a national sports columnist at USA TODAY. She previously covered Chicago’s professional and college teams, including the NBA's Bull, for The Associated Press.

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  1.  Michael Jordan
  2. Bill Russell
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Magic Johnson
  5. George Mikan
  6. LeBron James
  7. Larry Bird
  8. Oscar Robertson
  9. Stephen Curry
  10. Wilt Chamberlain
  11.  Julius Erving
  12. Scottie Pippen
  13. Shaquille O’Neal
  14. Kobe Bryant
  15. Hakeem Olajuwon
  16. Tim Duncan
  17. Kevin Durant
  18. Dennis Rodman
  19. Bob Cousy
  20. Moses Malone
  21. Russell Westbrook
  22. Karl Malone
  23. John Stockton
  24. John Havlicek
  25. Sam Jones
  26. David Robinson
  27. Jerry West
  28. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  29. Jason Kidd
  30. Draymond Green
  31. Gary Payton
  32. Dirk Nowitzki
  33. Rick Barry
  34. Elgin Baylor
  35. Charles Barkley
  36. James Worthy
  37. Allen Iverson
  38. Ray Allen
  39. Steve Nash
  40. Robert Parish
  41. George Gervin
  42. Isiah Thomas 
  43. Walt Frazier
  44. Dave Cowens
  45. Dave DeBusschere
  46. Kevin McHale
  47. Dwight Howard
  48. Willis Reed
  49. Paul Arizin
  50. Dikembe Mutombo
  51. Joe Dumars
  52. Kawhi Leonard
  53. Bill Walton
  54. Kevin Garnett
  55. Nikola Jokic
  56. Damian Lillard
  57. Patrick Ewing
  58. Bob Pettit
  59. Dan Issel
  60. K.C. Jones
  61. James Harden
  62. Dwyane Wade
  63. Wes Unseld
  64. Earl Monroe
  65. Yao Ming
  66. Elvin Hayes
  67. Chris Paul
  68. Dolph Schayes
  69. Clyde Drexler
  70. Bob Lanier
  71. Dominique Wilkins
  72. Reggie Miller
  73. Ben Wallace
  74. Gail Goodrich
  75. Manu Ginobili
DAN WOLKEN

DAN WOLKEN

Wolken is a national sports columnist at USA TODAY.

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  1. LeBron James
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Magic Johnson
  5. Wilt Chamberlain
  6. Larry Bird
  7. Tim Duncan
  8. Bill Russell
  9. Kobe Bryant
  10. Shaquille O’Neal 
  11. Kevin Durant 
  12.  Hakeem Olajuwon
  13. Stephen Curry 
  14. Julius Erving
  15. Oscar Robertson
  16. Dirk Nowitzski
  17. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  18. Jerry West
  19. David Robinson
  20. Scottie Pippen
  21. Moses Malone
  22. Isiah Thomas
  23. Kevin Garnett
  24. Bob Pettit
  25. Kawhi Leonard
  26. Charles Barkley
  27. Allen Iverson
  28. Dwyane Wade
  29. Elgin Baylor
  30. Steve Nash 
  31. John Stockton
  32. John Havlicek
  33. George Mikan
  34. Patrick Ewing
  35. Kevin McHale
  36. James Harden
  37. Karl Malone
  38. Walt Frazier
  39. Jason Kidd
  40. Chris Paul
  41. Rick Barry
  42. Dominique Wilkins
  43. Elvin Hayes
  44. Pete Maravich 
  45. Bob Cousy
  46. Bill Walton
  47. George Gervin
  48. Tracy McGrady
  49. Russell Westbrook
  50. Ray Allen
  51. Anthony Davis
  52. James Worthy
  53. Reggie Miller
  54. Gary Payton
  55. Paul Pierce
  56. Carmelo Anthony 
  57. Vince Carter
  58. Clyde Drexler
  59. Wes Unseld
  60. Earl Monroe 
  61. Robert Parish
  62. Willis Reed
  63. Bernard King
  64. Dennis Rodman
  65. Alex English
  66. Tony Parker
  67. Dennis Johnson
  68. Dan Issel
  69. Dikembe Mutombo 
  70. Alonzo Mourning
  71. Paul Gasol
  72. Manu Ginobili
  73. Dave Cowens
  74. Bob McAdoo
  75. Damian Lillard
LARRY STARKS

LARRY STARKS

Starks is the NBA/Breaking News Editor at USA TODAY. He was the NBA Coordinating Editor at ESPN and previously covered the Clippers for the National Sports Daily and the Lakers for the Pasadena Star-News.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Oscar Robertson
  3. Wilt Chamberlain
  4. Bill Russell
  5. Kobe Bryant
  6. LeBron James
  7. Magic Johnson
  8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  9. Kevin Durant
  10. Jerry West
  11. Elgin Baylor
  12. Julius Erving
  13. Larry Bird
  14. Hakeem Olajuwon
  15. Tim Duncan
  16. Elvin Hayes
  17. Shaquille O’Neal
  18. Moses Malone
  19. Dirk Nowitzki
  20. Patrick Ewing
  21. David Robinson
  22. Stephen Curry
  23. George Gervin
  24. Bob Pettit
  25. Dwyane Wade
  26. Karl Malone
  27. Kevin Garnett
  28. Scottie Pippen
  29. George Mikan
  30. Ray Allen
  31. Anthony Davis
  32. John Havlicek
  33. Allen Iverson
  34. James Worthy
  35. Charles Barkley
  36. Kawhi Leonard
  37. Dolph Schayes
  38. James Harden
  39. Isiah Thomas
  40. Bob Cousy
  41. Chris Paul
  42. Dominique Wilkins
  43. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  44. Rick Barry
  45. John Stockton
  46. Paul Arizin
  47. Steve Nash
  48. Dave DeBusschere
  49. Russell Westbrook
  50. Gary Payton
  51. Chris Bosh
  52. Vince Carter
  53. Bob McAdoo
  54. Hal Greer
  55. Paul Pierce
  56. Clyde Drexler
  57. Jason Kidd
  58. Carmelo Anthony
  59. Nate Thurman
  60. Kevin McHale
  61. Kyrie Irving
  62. Pete Maravich
  63. Willis Reed
  64. Dennis Rodman
  65. Tracy McGrady
  66. Bob Lanier
  67. Bill Sharmon
  68. Robert Parish
  69. Dave Cowens
  70. Dwight Howard
  71. Sam Jones
  72. Reggie Miller
  73. Walt Frazier
  74. Lenny Wilkens
  75. Wes Unseld
DUANE RANKIN

DUANE RANKIN

Rankin covers the Phoenix Suns for the Arizona Republic.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Magic Johnson
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Bill Russell
  5. Kobe Bryant
  6. LeBron James
  7. Wilt Chamberlain
  8. Tim Duncan
  9. Hakeem Olajuwon
  10. Jerry West
  11. Elgin Baylor
  12. Larry Bird
  13. Moses Malone
  14. Shaquille O’Neal
  15. Oscar Robertson
  16. Kevin Durant
  17. Julius Erving
  18. Karl Malone
  19. Kevin McHale
  20. Isiah Thomas
  21. Stephen Curry
  22. David Robinson
  23. Charles Barkley 
  24. Rick Barry
  25. Dennis Rodman
  26. John Havlicek
  27. Allen Iverson
  28. Bob Pettit 
  29. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  30. John Stockton
  31. Willis Reed  
  32. Dwyane Wade
  33. Sam Jones
  34. George Mikan 
  35. Walt Frazier
  36. Dominique Wilkins
  37. Manu Ginobili 
  38. Bob Cousy
  39. Gary Payton
  40. Scottie Pippen
  41. Kawhi Leonard
  42. Jason Kidd
  43. Dirk Nowitzki
  44. Tony Parker
  45. James Worthy
  46. Bob McAdoo
  47. Steve Nash
  48. Kevin Garnett
  49. Patrick Ewing
  50. Reggie Miller 
  51. Ben Wallace
  52. Tiny Archibald
  53. Ray Allen
  54. Bernard King
  55. Bill Walton
  56. Russell Westbrook
  57. Grant Hill
  58. James Harden
  59. Clyde Drexler
  60. Pete Maravich
  61. Chris Paul
  62. Earl Monroe
  63. George Gervin
  64. Billy Cunningham
  65. Derrick Rose
  66. Alex English
  67. Lenny Wilkens
  68. Jerry Lucas
  69. Dwight Howard
  70. Wes Unseld
  71. Elvin Hayes
  72. Dave Cowens
  73. Hal Greer
  74. Sidney Moncrief
  75. Tracy McGrady
JIM OWCZARSKI

JIM OWCZARSKI

Owczarski covers the Milwaukee Bucks for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Wilt Chamberlain
  3. LeBron James
  4. Oscar Robertson
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. Kevin Durant
  7. Hakeem Olajuwon
  8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  9. Shaquille O'Neal
  10. Kobe Bryant
  11. Larry Bird
  12. Tim Duncan
  13. Bill Russell
  14. Chris Paul
  15. Stephen Curry
  16. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  17. Russell Westbrook
  18. Kawhi Leonard
  19. Kevin Garnett
  20. Moses Malone
  21. Jason Kidd
  22. Dirk Nowitzki
  23. Rick Barry
  24. Jerry West
  25. Steve Nash
  26. Scottie Pippen
  27. Reggie Miller
  28. Bob Pettit
  29. David Robinson
  30. Isiah Thomas
  31. Karl Malone
  32. Elgin Baylor
  33. Dwayne Wade
  34. John Havlicek
  35. Sam Jones
  36. Dolph Schayes
  37. Elvin Hayes
  38. Allen Iverson
  39. Paul Arizin
  40. Julius Erving
  41. Charles Barkley
  42. Patrick Ewing
  43. Dave DeBusschere
  44. James Harden
  45. John Stockton
  46. Tony Parker
  47. Pete Maravich
  48. George Gervin
  49. George Mikan
  50. Dave Bing
  51. Willis Reed
  52. Dave Cowens
  53. Walt Frazier
  54. Wes Unseld
  55. Earl Monroe
  56. Gary Payton
  57. Billy Cunningham
  58. Dominique Wilkins
  59. Carmelo Anthony
  60. Adrian Dantley
  61. Bernard King
  62. Alex English
  63. Bob Lanier
  64. Clyde Drexler
  65. Nate Thurmond
  66. Kevin McHale
  67. Ray Allen
  68. Artis Gilmore
  69. Vince Carter
  70. Bob Cousy
  71. Neil Johnston
  72. Vern Mikkelson
  73. Ed Macauley
  74. Pau Gasol
  75. Dennis Rodman
LARRY BERGER

LARRY BERGER

Berger is a Senior Video Producer at USA Today. He formerly worked for the NBA for 16 years, where he interviewed and created content featuring the league’s earliest stars from the 1940’s through present-day All-Stars. 

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  3. Lebron James
  4. Wilt Chamberlain
  5. Kobe Bryant
  6. Bill Russell
  7. Magic Johnson
  8. Shaquille O’Neal
  9. Larry Bird
  10. Oscar Robertson
  11. Tim Duncan
  12. Jerry West
  13. Hakeem Olajuwon
  14. Dirk Nowitzki
  15. Allen Iverson
  16. Julius Erving
  17. Karl Malone
  18. Kevin Durant
  19. Elgin Baylor
  20. Stephen Curry
  21. Isiah Thomas
  22. Moses Malone
  23. John Havlicek
  24. Kevin Garnett
  25. George Mikan
  26. Charles Barkley
  27. David Robinson
  28. John Stockton
  29. Scottie Pippen
  30. Bob Cousy
  31. Bob Pettit
  32. Rick Barry
  33. Ray Allen
  34. Dwyane Wade
  35. Dominique Wilkins
  36. James Harden
  37. Elvin Hayes
  38. Paul Pierce
  39. Dolph Schayes
  40. Walt Frazier
  41. Jason Kidd
  42. Kevin McHale
  43. Reggie Miller
  44. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  45. Patrick Ewing
  46. Gary Payton
  47. Paul Arizin
  48. Kawhi Leonard
  49. Russell Westbrook
  50. George Gervin
  51. Steve Nash
  52. Willis Reed
  53. Clyde Drexler
  54. Bob Lanier
  55. Chris Paul
  56. Carmelo Anthony
  57. Anthony Davis
  58. Pete Maravich
  59. Earl Monroe
  60. Robert Parish
  61. Tony Parker
  62. Adrian Dantley
  63. James Worthy
  64. Bill Sharman
  65. Damian Lillard
  66. Dave Bing
  67. Chris Bosh
  68. Lenny Wilkens
  69. Dave Cowens
  70. Slater Martin
  71. Dikembe Mutombo
  72. Kyrie Irving
  73. Wes Unseld
  74. Hal Greer
  75. Robert Horry
J MICHAEL

J MICHAEL

J Michael was a national NBA writer for USA TODAY and also covered the Indiana Pacers for the Indianapolis Star. He is currently the sports editor at the Orlando Sentinel.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Magic Johnson
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Hakeem Olajuwon
  5. LeBron James
  6. Wilt Chamberlain
  7. Bill Russell
  8. Tim Duncan
  9. Larry Bird
  10. Shaquille O’Neal
  11. Julius Erving
  12. Kevin Durant
  13. Stephen Curry
  14. Jerry West
  15. Kobe  Bryant
  16. Scottie Pippen 
  17. Kevin Garnett
  18. Moses Malone
  19. Kevin McHale 
  20. Dwyane Wade
  21. Karl Malone
  22. Patrick Ewing
  23. Charles Barkley
  24. Oscar Robertson
  25. Isiah Thomas  
  26. Rick Barry
  27. Jason Kidd
  28. Dirk Nowitzki  
  29. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  30. John Stockton 
  31. Reggie Miller
  32. Elgin Baylor
  33. Gary Payton
  34. Bill Walton
  35. Chris Paul
  36. John Havlicek
  37. Pau Gasol
  38. George Gervin
  39. Bob McAdoo
  40. Earl Monroe
  41. Wes Unseld
  42. Kawhi Leonard
  43. Willis Reed
  44. Dwight Howard
  45. Elvin Hayes
  46. David Robinson
  47. Manu Ginobili
  48. James Harden
  49. Russell Westbrook
  50. Allen Iverson
  51. Sidney Moncrief
  52. Paul Pierce
  53. Dominique Wilkins
  54. Tiny Archibald
  55. Ray Allen
  56. Klay Thompson
  57. Carmelo Anthony
  58. Jerry Lucas
  59. Bob Pettit
  60. Jack Sikma
  61. Dave Bing
  62. Dave Cowens 
  63. Dave DeBusschere  
  64. Nate Thurmond                   
  65. Artis Gilmore 
  66. Tracy McGrady
  67. Bob Lanier
  68. Pete Maravich
  69. Alex English 
  70. Tony Parker 
  71. Robert Parish
  72. James Worthy
  73. Bernard King 
  74. George Mikan
  75. Steve Nash
MARLA RIDENOUR

MARLA RIDENOUR

Ridenour is a sports columnist at the Akron Beacon Journal and has also covered the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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  1. Michael Jordan
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Magic Johnson
  5. Wilt Chamberlain
  6. Bill Russell
  7. Kobe Bryant
  8. Larry Bird
  9. Shaquille O’Neal
  10. Tim Duncan
  11. Oscar Robertson
  12. Kevin Durant
  13. Hakeem Olajuwon
  14. Stephen Curry
  15. Julius Erving
  16. Moses Malone
  17. Karl Malone
  18. Kevin Garnett
  19. Elgin Baylor
  20. Dirk Nowitzki
  21. Charles Barkley
  22. Jerry West
  23. Kawhi Leonard
  24. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  25. Allen Iverson
  26. Scottie Pippen
  27. Dwyane Wade
  28. John Stockton
  29. Isiah Thomas
  30. John Havlicek
  31. David Robinson
  32. George Mikan
  33. Steve Nash
  34. Jason Kidd
  35. Bob Pettit
  36. Walt Frazier
  37. Patrick Ewing
  38. Bob Cousy
  39. Russell Westbrook
  40. Wes Unseld
  41. Clyde Drexler
  42. Kevin McHale
  43. George Gervin
  44. Elvin Hayes
  45. Rick Barry
  46. Vince Carter
  47. Dominique Wilkins
  48. Bill Walton
  49. Tiny Archibald
  50. Gary Payton
  51. James Worthy
  52. Reggie Miller
  53. Anthony Davis
  54. Willis Reed
  55. Dennis Rodman
  56. Earl Monroe
  57. Bob McAdoo
  58. Robert Parish
  59. Dave Cowens
  60. Alex English
  61. Pete Maravich
  62. Damian Lillard
  63. Dikembe Mutombo
  64. Artis Gilmore
  65. Nate Thurmond
  66. Jerry Lucas
  67. Dolph Schayes
  68. Bernard King
  69. Manu Ginobli
  70. Alonzo Mourning
  71. James Harden
  72. Nikola Jokic
  73. Chris Paul
  74. Lenny Wilkens
  75. Ray Allen
BERRY TRAMEL

BERRY TRAMEL

Tramel is a sports columnist at the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman.

NBA 75: Why Berry Tramel chose LeBron over MJ
Sports Pulse: A closer look into why Berry Tramel chose LeBron over MJ
USA TODAY
  1. LeBron James
  2. Michael Jordan 
  3. Bill Russell
  4. Wilt Chamberlain 
  5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 
  6. Oscar Robertson  
  7. Kobe Bryant 
  8. Tim Duncan  
  9. Shaquille O’Neal
  10. Karl Malone 
  11. Jerry West
  12. Hakeem Olajuwon 
  13. Larry Bird
  14. Magic Johnson  
  15. Elgin Baylor 
  16. Bob Pettit 
  17. Dirk Nowitzki 
  18. Bob Cousy 
  19. Stephen Curry 
  20. John Stockton  
  21. Kevin Durant  
  22. Charles Barkley 
  23. Chris Paul 
  24. George Mikan  
  25. Julius Erving   
  26. Dolph Schayes 
  27. John Havlicek  
  28. Rick Barry 
  29. James Harden  
  30. David Robinson  
  31. Kevin Garnett  
  32. Patrick Ewing  
  33. Gary Payton  
  34. Moses Malone  
  35. Jason Kidd  
  36. Scottie Pippen  
  37. George Gervin 
  38. Steve Nash 
  39. Jerry Lucas   
  40. Dwyane Wade  
  41. Isiah Thomas  
  42. Russell Westbrook  
  43. Elvin Hayes  
  44. Allen Iverson   
  45. Hal Greer  
  46. Anthony Davis  
  47. Walt Frazier  
  48. Bill Sharman  
  49. Giannis Antetokounmpo  
  50. Kawhi Leonard
  51. Neil Johnston 
  52. Tracy McGrady 
  53. Tiny Archibald  
  54. Dwight Howard 
  55. Sidney Moncrief  
  56. Paul Arizin 
  57. Dominique Wilkins  
  58. Billy Cunningham  
  59. Willis Reed   
  60. Paul Westphal  
  61. Amare Stoudemire   
  62. Dave Bing  
  63. Damian Lillard  
  64. Spencer Haywood 
  65. Grant Hill  
  66. Pete Maravich  
  67. Slater Martin  
  68. Clyde Drexler  
  69. Tim Hardaway Sr.  
  70. Bernard King 
  71. Chris Webber  
  72. Ben Wallace  
  73. Paul George  
  74. Chris Mullin 
  75. Tommy Heinsohn 
OMARI SANKOFA

OMARI SANKOFA

Sankofa covers the Detroit Pistons for the Detroit Free Press. He also covered the Memphis Grizzlies for The Athletic.

NBA 75 all-time rankings: Why Ben Wallace made the list?
USA TODAY Sports' Omari Sankofa breaks down the 75 best NBA players in NBA history.
USA TODAY
  1. Michael Jordan
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. Magic Johnson
  5. Larry Bird
  6. Bill Russell
  7. Wilt Chamberlain
  8. Shaquille O’Neal
  9. Kobe Bryant
  10. Tim Duncan
  11. Oscar Robertson
  12. Stephen Curry
  13. Kevin Durant
  14. Hakeem Olajuwon
  15. Dwyane Wade
  16. David Robinson
  17. Jerry West
  18. Karl Malone
  19. Julius Erving
  20. Moses Malone
  21. Scottie Pippen
  22. Charles Barkley
  23. Isiah Thomas
  24. John Stockton
  25. Kawhi Leonard
  26. Kevin Garnett 
  27. Dirk Nowitzki
  28. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  29. Elgin Baylor
  30. John Havlicek 
  31. James Harden
  32. George Mikan
  33. Patrick Ewing
  34. Steve Nash
  35. Jason Kidd
  36. Kevin McHale
  37. Bob Pettit
  38. Chris Paul
  39. Walt Frazier
  40. Bob Cousy
  41. Rick Barry
  42. Elvin Hayes
  43. Dominique Wilkins
  44. Bill Walton
  45. George Gervin
  46. Ray Allen
  47. Clyde Drexler
  48. Russell Westbrook
  49. Allen Iverson
  50. Reggie Miller
  51. Wes Unseld
  52. James Worthy
  53. Gary Payton
  54. Paul Pierce
  55. Dennis Rodman
  56. Dwight Howard
  57. Earl Monroe
  58. Pete Maravich
  59. Sam Jones
  60. Anthony Davis
  61. Bob McAdoo
  62. Willis Reed
  63. Alonzo Mourning
  64. Robert Parish
  65. Pau Gasol
  66. Manu Ginobili
  67. Tony Parker
  68. Dave Cowens
  69. Carmelo Anthony
  70. Bob Lanier
  71. Alex English
  72. Vince Carter
  73. Artis Gilmore
  74. Ben Wallace
  75. Klay Thompson
EVAN BARNES

EVAN BARNES

Barnes covers the Memphis Grizzlies for the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

NBA 75: Evan Barnes' top pick may be surprising
Sports Pulse: Why MJ and LeBron didn't make it to the top of Evan's list
USA TODAY
  1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Bill Russell
  4. Magic Johnson
  5. Wilt Chamberlain
  6. LeBron James
  7. Tim Duncan
  8. Oscar Robertson
  9. Hakeem Olajuwon
  10. Shaquille O’Neal
  11. Kobe Bryant
  12. Larry Bird
  13. Elgin Baylor
  14. Isiah Thomas
  15. Kevin Durant
  16. Jerry West
  17. Charles Barkley
  18. Dirk Nowitzki
  19. Karl Malone
  20. Jason Kidd
  21. John Stockton
  22. Moses Malone
  23. Kevin McHale
  24. Stephen Curry
  25. Chris Paul
  26. John Havlicek
  27. David Robinson
  28. Allen Iverson
  29. Julius Erving
  30. Kevin Garnett
  31. Patrick Ewing
  32. Walt Frazier
  33. Russell Westbrook
  34. Elvin Hayes
  35. Dwyane Wade
  36. James Harden
  37. Dominique Wilkins
  38. Scottie Pippen
  39. Rick Barry
  40. Gary Payton
  41. Steve Nash
  42. Clyde Drexler
  43. Wes Unseld
  44. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  45. Bob Pettit
  46. Bob Cousy
  47. Bill Walton
  48. George Gervin
  49. Carmelo Anthony
  50. Dennis Rodman
  51. James Worthy
  52. Joe Dumars
  53. Kawhi Leonard
  54. Mitch Richmond
  55. Pete Maravich
  56. Earl Monroe
  57. Jerry Lucas
  58. Tiny Archibald
  59. Reggie Miller
  60. Bob McAdoo
  61. Paul Pierce
  62. Ray Allen
  63. Dave Cowens
  64. Hal Greer
  65. Dennis Johnson
  66. David Thompson
  67. Connie Hawkins
  68. George Mikan
  69. Alonzo Mourning
  70. 70.Dwight Howard
  71. Manu Ginobli
  72. Alex English
  73. Robert Parish
  74. Sidney Moncrief
  75. Tim Hardaway Sr.
GREG BOECK

GREG BOECK

Boeck is a former national NBA reporter for USA TODAY.

  1. LeBron James
  2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  3. Michael Jordan
  4. Oscar Robertson
  5. Shaquille O'Neal
  6. Kobe Bryant
  7. Wilt Chamberlain
  8. Larry Bird
  9. Tim Duncan
  10. Jerry West
  11. Hakeem Olajuwon
  12. Karl Malone
  13. Elgin Baylor
  14. Isiah Thomas
  15. Magic Johnson
  16. Bill Russell
  17. Kevin Durant
  18. Elvin Hayes
  19. Charles Barkley
  20. George Mikan
  21. Rick Barry
  22. Pete Maravich
  23. Julius Erving
  24. Dirk Nowitzki
  25. Bob Cousy
  26. John Havlicek
  27. Scottie Pippen
  28. Clyde Drexler
  29. Stephen Curry
  30. Patrick Ewing
  31. David Robinson
  32. Moses Malone
  33. Chris Paul
  34. Dwyane Wade
  35. Bob Pettit
  36. John Stockton
  37. Jason Kidd
  38. Reggie Miller
  39. Allen Iverson
  40. Sam Jones
  41. Steve Nash
  42. Tom Heinsohn
  43. Dominique Wilkins
  44. Walt Frazier
  45. Dave Bing
  46. Adrian Dantley
  47. James Worthy
  48. Lenny Wilkens
  49. Wes Unseld
  50. Bernard King
  51. Dennis Rodman
  52. Kawhi Leonard
  53. Gary Payton
  54. Ray Allen
  55. Kevin Garnett
  56. George Gervin
  57. Willis Reed
  58. Tony Parker
  59. Dikembe Mutombo
  60. Alonzo Mourning
  61. James Harden
  62. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  63. Russell Westbrook
  64. Vince Carter
  65. Bob McAdoo
  66. Tracy McGrady
  67. Dave Cowens
  68. Bill Sharman
  69. Anthony Davis
  70. Bailey Howell
  71. Bill Walton
  72. Tim Hardaway Sr.
  73. Kyrie Irving
  74. Damian Lillard
  75. Alex English
Published Updated