Over the history of basketball, several players have risen to the occasion and are regarded as the best in the game. Elvin Hayes, Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, and Bob McAdoo are among them.
Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is one of the greatest centres in NBA history, having played for nearly two decades. He is well-known for his quick footwork in the low post and his patented "Dream Shake" technique. He has also won two NBA championships. Olajuwon was picked by the Houston Rockets after playing for the University of Houston Cougars. He was picked first and foremost.
Olajuwon had a solid rookie season, averaging 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. He also has the most blocked shots, shot-blocking, and steals in the league. He was the first player in NBA history to record 200 blocks in a single season in 1990. He also won the rebounding title in 1990. He was named regular-season MVP in 1993.
Whether you like basketball or not, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He is a force to be reckoned with thanks to his distinct shot, long gangly limbs, and all-around abilities.
Kareem is well-known for his "Skyhook" shot, which is a slow, high-arcing, over-the-shoulder flip shot from the low post. No other player uses this shot. This is a hallmark shot that helped Kareem Abdul-Jabbar establish himself as one of the most dominant NBA players of all time.
Kareem is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, averaging 24.8 points per game. He also pulled down 10.8 rebounds per game. He has six MVPs and has been chosen to 15 All-NBA teams.
Karl Malone was largely regarded as the best power forward of all time during his 19-year NBA career. He is a two-time MVP and three-time Finals MVP, as well as the NBA's second-leading all-time scorer with 36,928 points.
He began his career as a 13th-round draft pick in 1985 and went on to win three regular-season MVP awards. He was selected to eight NBA All-Star teams, including two first-team selections.
Karl Malone has been elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in addition to his achievements as a player. He has been called the best power forward in NBA history and was chosen as one of Sports Illustrated's 50 Best All-Time Players. In 1997, he was awarded NBA Most Valuable Player, and in 2010, he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
Malone was the oldest player to ever record a triple-double and a fantastic rebounder. He also topped the NBA in free throw attempts five years in a row. He is also one of the league's most durable players. In his career, he has only missed 10 games.
Wilt Chamberlain was a four-time NBA MVP and the only player to average more than 30 points and 20 rebounds per game during his professional basketball career. He also won nine field goal percentage championships. Wilt Chamberlain also played in thirteen All-Star Games and was named to the NBA's First Team seven times.
Wilt Chamberlain was a talented basketball player who won three championships with the San Francisco Warriors. He was also the first player in history to score 100 points in a single game. He was the first player to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.
The one-armed bandit is still in the game after a 16-year career and has earned his keep. The man has put up some big statistics and played in a couple of important games. Winning the NBA title in 1978 was a career-high point. He was elected league MVP and was considered the league's finest power forward by his peers.
The league's tallest player at 6 feet 9 inches, the number three, is on the short side for the current crop of PFs. His strong level of energy translates to a great rebounding average. He was a capable defender and passer.
George Mikan was a dominant force in the game during his eight-year pro career. His scoring averages, rebounding statistics, and victory shares are comparable to some of the greatest players in history. He won seven NBA titles, three times led the league in scoring, and was named the NBA's most valuable player.
Mikan returned to the court in midseason after a brief spell as a Lakers coach. He was an All-NBA First-Team selection for five consecutive seasons. From 1951 to 1954, he also appeared in four All-Star games.
Bob McAdoo was one of the NBA's top big players in the 1980s. From 1973 to 1976, he led the league in scoring three years in a row, was a five-time All-Star, and was named NBA MVP. With the Los Angeles Lakers, he also won two NBA championships. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He spent 14 years in the NBA. He was voted NBA Most Valuable Player in 1975 and led the Lakers to two NBA titles.
