By Jabari Jelks
Special to NBATopShot.com

FAST FACTS

The 2021-22 season marks the NBA’s 75th year as a league. To commemorate their Diamond Anniversary, they announced a list of the game’s 75 greatest players, voted by former players, coaches & media members.

Here’s a list of all the players (and their moments) that are available in the marketplace!




Ray Allen

Though Ray Allen’s three-point record will soon belong to Stephen Curry, there’s not many others who belong in the same conversation as a shooter - especially on the game’s biggest stage: his shot to save Miami’s title in 2013 is an all-time moment. 

2x NBA Champion

10x All-Star

NBA’s All-Time Leader in Three-Pointers Made (2,973)


Giannis Antetokounmpo - Bucks

At age 27, it’s not crazy to consider Giannis amongst the best to ever do it. His 50-point performance to help secure Milwaukee’s first title in as many years cemented him as an all-timer. 

1x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP

2x NBA MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team

5x All-Star, 3x NBA All-Defensive First Team


Carmelo Anthony - Lakers

#10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list - Carmelo’s truly made it look easy over the span of 19 years - not many players you’d rank ahead of him in terms of pure ability to put up points.

10x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Second Team

4x All-NBA Third Team

1x NBA Scoring Champ



Stephen Curry - Warriors

It's mind-blowing to realize Steph is just now entering his prime years. Already the owner of 3 NBA titles & 2 MVPs, his inclusion on the NBA75 list was all but a formality.

3x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP

7x All-Star, 4x All-NBA First Team

2x NBA Scoring Champ


Anthony Davis - Lakers

Although including AD was a bit of a preemptive selection, his gaudy defensive numbers (5 All-Defensive team selections, led the league in blocks 3 times), All-Star appearances and recent championship put him over the top. 

1x NBA Champion

4x All-NBA First Team, 8x All-Star

2x NBA All-Defensive First Team



Tim Duncan - Spurs

Perhaps the greatest power forward ever, Duncan’s career stacks up with anyone on the list. His longevity, consistent team success & ability to dominate multiple eras of basketball is unmatched. 

5x NBA Champion, 3x NBA Finals MVP

2x NBA MVP, 15x All-Star

10x All-NBA First Team




Kevin Durant - Nets

The only question regarding Kevin Durant is exactly where would you place him on a ranked list of these same players? Top 10, 15, 20? Or maybe even Top 3-5 when it’s all said and done?

2x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP

3x Olympic Gold Medalist 

1x NBA MVP, 6x All-NBA First Team

11x All-Star




Kevin Garnett - Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett embodies the level of passion, respect & dedication to the game necessary to reach an elite level in the sport. With over 26,000 points, 14,000 rebounds & 5,400 assists, KG starred in every area over the course of 20 years in Minnesota, Boston & Brooklyn. 

1x NBA Champion

1x NBA MVP, 15x All-Star

4x All-NBA First Team



James Harden - Nets

From Sixth Man of the Year to MVP: Harden’s an impossible cover - one of the most accomplished scorers of his generation. 

1x NBA MVP

9x All-Star

6x All-NBA First Team


Allen Iverson - 76ers

‍AI’s influence on the modern era, both on and off the court, cannot be overstated. Listed at just 6’1, 165 pounds, Iverson led the league in scoring 4 times and averaged north of 30 points/game on three separate occasions. 

1x NBA MVP

11x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team

4x NBA Scoring Champ


LeBron James - Lakers

The NBA’s unofficial “torch carrier” of the last 20 years, few athletes have lived up to the tremendous hype like LeBron - he’s one of a couple select players (Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) with a legitimate case for #1 if the list was ranked. 

4x NBA Champion, 4x NBA Finals MVP

4x NBA MVP, 17x All-Star

13x All-NBA First Team


Jason Kidd - Nets

An NBA title, 10 All-Star selections and the #2 spot on the NBA’s all-time assists ladder made J-Kidd an easy choice for voters.

1x NBA Champion

10x All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team

4x All-NBA Defensive First Team, 5x NBA Assists Leader


Kawhi Leonard - Clippers

Kawhi’s place on NBA75 was stamped after leading Toronto to its first NBA title in franchise history. Similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi’s already racked up a laundry list of accomplishments at a young age (30).

2x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP

5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team

2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 3x All-NBA Defensive First Team


Damian Lillard - Trail Blazers

Much like AD, Dame’s still on the road to justifying his status. So far though, so good: 6 All-Star appearances and a bonafide standing as Portland’s franchise player for almost 10 years made his inclusion possible. 

6x All-Star

1x All-NBA First Team, 4x All-NBA Second Team

1x All-NBA Third Team


Steve Nash - Suns

The league’s back to back MVP in 2005 & 2006, Nash’s creativity and incredible efficiency as a shooter (3x member of the “50-40-90” club) and playmaker was on display for almost two decades.

2x NBA MVP

8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team

5x NBA Assists Leader


Dirk Nowitzki - Mavericks

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was instrumental in challenging the conventional notion of NBA bigs - his shooting touch & versatility, at 7’0, mirrors how the game is played today. A 14-time All-Star in Dallas, their 2011 NBA Finals victory is one of the most impressive feats in recent memory.

1x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP, 14x All-Star

4x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team


Shaquille O’Neal - Heat

Though Shaq was just a few years in when he was named as one the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1997, the voters got it right: additional time produced one of the most dominant forces you’ll ever see. 

4x NBA Champion, 3x NBA Finals MVP

1x NBA MVP, 15x All-Star

8x All-NBA First Team



Chris Paul - Suns

There’s not much holding CP3 back when discussing the best floor generals of all-time. An NBA title is icing on the cake but there’s no doubting his place as a gold standard amongst playmakers over the last 15-20 years. 

11x All-Star, 4x All-NBA First Team

5x All-NBA Second Team

7x NBA All-Defensive First Team


Paul Pierce - Celtics

The all-time leading scorer of one the league’s most storied franchises (Boston Celtics) is a no-brainer for NBA 75 - Paul Pierce’s career has somehow become underrated in recent years. 

1x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP

10x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Second Team

3x All-NBA Third Team


Dwyane Wade - Heat

A 3x NBA champ, Dwyane Wade solidified himself a clutch performer early in his career - Heat legend, top 5 shooting guard to ever lace ‘em up. 

3x NBA Champion

NBA Finals MVP, 13x All-Star

2x All-NBA First Team


Russell Westbrook - Lakers

Russell Westbrook’s unique skill set, intensity & mentality has led to an extremely successful NBA career. The idea of anyone breaking Oscar Robertson’s record for triple-doubles was unfathomable - Westbrook now finds himself with a nearly impossible mark to match. 

1x NBA MVP

9x All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team

5x All-NBA Second Team

NBA’s Career Leader in Triple-Doubles (184)


LAST UPDATED ON
Oct 24, 2021 12:01 PM