Ranking the top 100 players in NBA history

[WillC]

I have combined the rankings from nine different publications (including – but not limited to – Bill Simmons’ ‘Book of Basketball’, Slam magazine’s ‘Top 500’, Elliot Kalb’s ‘Who’s Better Who’s Best in Basketball?’, Sport magazine’s 50th anniversary rankings and InsideHoops' very own GOAT List) to create a master list.

Some of the rankings were written a few years ago and, as a result, active players were ranked too low. To accommodate for this, I have adjusted the rankings of active players accordingly (by simply weighting them more towards the most recent rankings).

I have included the major awards won by each player, their career statistics along with revealing quotes (admittedly with a generous dose of hyperbole) from players and well-respected basketball authors.

The results are fascinating and, in my opinion, the most accurate rankings I have seen. Let me know what you think. Hopefully this leads to some good discussion.

http://basketballjournalist.blogspot...a-history.html

I also just wrote this about the debate surrounding the ranking of players from the 1950s, which has caused quite a buzz since I wrote the article above: http://basketballjournalist.blogspot...-of-1950s.html

[FatComputerNerd]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=143465

Also, decent list but IMO you have Payton ranked way too low, and Dirk way too high.

[WillC]

FatComputerNerd, the GOAT list you posted a link you was one of the rankings used in the compilation of my article. It is an excellent list.

[RobertdeMeijer]

Nice work, indeed!
Russell is #2, so it is valid.

Did you use Simmon's revised (2010) version of the Book of Basketball? There are quite some changes (Kobe and Wade higher, Iverson lower)

[WillC]

Nice work, indeed!
Russell is #2, so it is valid.

Did you use Simmon's revised (2010) version of the Book of Basketball? There are quite some changes (Kobe and Wade higher, Iverson lower)

Yes, I used the rankings from his paperback, which have Kobe and Wade much higher than his hard back rankings.

[WillC]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=143465

Also, decent list but IMO you have Payton ranked way too low, and Dirk way too high.

Nowitzki right now is 7th in all-time Playoff PER, and 5th all-time in Playoffs WS/48.

He has a ring, an MVP, and a Finals MVP. There is nothing wrong ranking Dirk around 17-18.

[L.Kizzle]

You forgot ISHs Top 100 started by me in ike 2008.

[WillC]

You forgot ISHs Top 100 started by me in ike 2008.

Have you got a link? I'd be interested to see those.

I used GOAT's rankings because I know he has some good credentials. I tried to stay away from internet message board rankings because some of them are pretty poor, i.e. they just looked at stats rather than watched tape.

But I'd be really interested to see yours because I've seen you commenting on the best guards ever and you've got some intelligent things to say, which is more than can be said for some people.

[DMAVS41]

Nowitzki right now is 7th in all-time Playoff PER, and 5th all-time in Playoffs WS/48.

He has a ring, an MVP, and a Finals MVP. There is nothing wrong ranking Dirk around 17-18.

Yep. Add in 11 straight seasons over 50 wins. Add in one of 4 players 25/10 in playoff history. Definitely deserves to be ranked right in that range.

LOL @ far too high.

[L.Kizzle]

Have you got a link? I'd be interested to see those.

I used GOAT's rankings because I know he has some good credentials. I tried to stay away from internet message board rankings because some of them are pretty poor, i.e. they just looked at stats rather than watched tape.

But I'd be really interested to see yours because I've seen you commenting on the best guards ever and you've got some intelligent things to say, which is more than can be said for some people.

I'm at work but on the ish search function, type in 100 greatest players according to ish.

[WillC]

It says I don't have permission. Annoying!

[L.Kizzle]

It says I don't have permission. Annoying!

The Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Of All Time According To ISH

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

So after winning a title, a Finals MVP, two 2nd all-nba and 1 first team all-nba after you made the list... yeah Dirk should probably be moved into the 20ish category.

[WillC]

The Top 100 Greatest NBA Players Of All Time According To ISH

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed reading it.

Kevin Johnson's 46th place ranking seems a bit outrageous though.

[GP_20]

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed reading it.

Kevin Johnson's 46th place ranking seems a bit outrageous though.

Yeah he should be Top 40