From Michael Jordan to LeBron James, Here are the Top NBA Legends of all Time
A look at the NBA's greatest ballers of all time
The National Basketball Association or NBA is the ultimate destination for talented players from across the globe aspiring for widespread fame and big bucks. The association has seen its fair share of amazing players but some have stood the test of time and gone down as one of the greatest basketball players ever. Here we take a look at the greatest basketball players that have stepped on the court so far.
1. Michael Jordan
No other name seems fit for the top position except for Michael Jordon, who has achieved everything under the sun when it comes to this sport. During an NBA final, he achieved a perfect 6-for-6 which bagged him the MVP tag as well. He is also a four-time gold medalist with the USA Basketball squad and has clinched two Olympic golds. Apart from being named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, Jordan has also lent his brand image to Nike's iconic Air Jordans and has starred in the movie "Space Jam." As of 2023, Michael Jordan has a net worth of $2.6 Billion, as per Celebrity Net Worth.
2. Bill Russell
The legendary defender Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to a record 11 NBA Championships, and was the very first African-American player to gain superstar status at an early age. He played for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969, and is also a five-time MVP and a 12-time Star. Outside the NBA, he captained the gold medal-winning US basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics. His net worth was around $10 million at the time of his passing in 2022.
3. Magic Johnson
The retired American basketball star and entrepreneur began his journey in high school and was selected as the first overall player in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his 13-year-long career, he played 12 All-Star Games, won five NBA championships, and was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. He retired from the sport in 1991 after was diagnosed with HIV. But he did not step away from the limelight and focused his energy on entrepreneurship. As of 2023, Magic Johnson is worth $620 Million.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired professional basketball player who has won multiple accolades in his career. He has won the NBA Championship six times and was also the league's all-time top scorer until 2023 when his record was broken by LeBron James. He is known for his single most unstoppable move in the history of the game which is called the skyhook. As of 2023, Kareen Abdul-Jabbar's net worth is somewhere around $25 million.
5. Larry Bird
Bird is known for his game IQ and skills such as a deadly jump shot, which paved the way for a career laden with achievements like three NBA Championships and two NBA Finals MVP titles. He is also famous as a coach for the Indiana Pacers and later became their President of Basketball Operations. Bird is remembered for his rivalry with Magic Johnson since they were in college. He continued to play for the Boston Celtics until his retirement and remained with the team after retirement as a special assistant in their front office. As of 2023, Larry Bird's net worth is somewhere around $75 Million.
6. LeBron James
The American professional basketball player and entrepreneur was drafted the number 1 pick by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He then took his talent to Miami where he played for the Heat from the year 2010 to 2013. He is currently the third-highest-paid basketball player based on his NBA salary alone with a base pay of $46.9 million. Within 10 seasons, he became one of the greatest players of all time, and is hailed as "King James." LeBron James earned just over $126 million in salary alone in the 10 seasons and also followed in the footsteps of Michael Jordan to star in the "Space Jam" sequel. As of 2023, LeBron James' net worth is $600 Million.
7. Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain holds numerous NBA records for scoring and rebounding, and is the only player so far to have scored more than 100 points in a single game. He has won two championships, four MVP awards, and ten All-NBA selections. In the early 60s, he averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain passed away in the year 1999 in his Bel-Airf home at the age of 63 due to congestive heart failure, and his net worth was close to $10 Million at that time.
8. Tim Duncan
The epitome of consistency, Duncan is one of the highest-paid basketball players in the NBA earning more than $20 million per season. He maintained his standing as one of the greatest rebounders in the history of the game, and was also known for his ability to position his body as well as his lack of hovering around opponents. He got nicknamed "the Big Fundamental" by Shaquille O'Neil because he stayed away from athletic displays and instead focused on the fundamentals of the game, to earn a $130 Million net worth.
9. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal is known for making an impact on and off the court, since he began his journey in 1992, when the Orlando Magic selected him as the first pick in the NBA draft. He quickly gained prominence and played for the Angeles Lakers. Shaq has won three NBA Championships and also earned the MVP status at the finals each time. As of 2023, Shaquille O'Neal's net worth stands at around $400 million.
10. Hakeem Olajuwon
The highly skilled Hakeem Olajuwon played in the NBA for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors, apart from being a member of the gold medal-winning Olympic US team of 1996. He is the first non-American to be an All-Star member and an NBA MVP. He also had a successful entrepreneurial career and has earned close to $110 million in salary alone. He is also the first player to be named MVP Defensive Player of the Year. As of 2023, Hakeem Olajuwon's net worth is $300 Million.