80. Earl Monroe (1968-1980) – SG – 1 time 1st team All-NBA, 1 time champion
Earl the Pearl is a top ten all-time nickname (definitive list to come) and I love when guys have a go to move that is synonymous with their game, and The Pearl’s dribbling spin move definitely qualifies.
79. Carmelo Anthony (2004-Current) – SF – 2 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
78. Adrian Dantley (1977-1991) – SF – 2 time 2nd team All-NBA, 2 time scoring leader
77. Alex English (1977-1991) – SF – 3 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
It just makes too much sense to lump Carmelo Anthony, Alex English, and Adrian Dantley together as their resumes read so similar: A couple second team All-NBAs with no first teams, so there was never a point in their careers where they were the best forward in the league. This may be a little unfair as English and Dantley had to play in the same era as Larry Bird, and Carmelo has had to play his entire career in the same league as Lebron James, but they also each have more scoring titles than finals appearances, just saying.
76. Chris Webber (1994-2008) – PF – 1 time 1st team All-NBA, 3 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time rebounding leader
75. Dave Bing (1967-1978) – SG – 2 time 1st team All-NBA, 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
74. Pau Gasol (2002-Current) – PF – 2 time 2nd team All-NBA, 2 time champion
73. Robert Parish (1977-1997) – C – 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 3 time champion
72. Pete Maravich (1971-1980) – SG – 2 time 1st team All-NBA, 2 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
I have always been fascinated by Pete Maravich. Heir to a Dream was one of the first basketball biographies I ever read, and his 1970-71 Topps Rookie Card was one of the first truly old-school cards I ever owned; the acquisition of which I blame for turning my card collecting from a hobby into an obsession. The stories about him dribbling a basketball literally everywhere he went as a child made me want to do the same, because I figured maybe that would allow me to dribble my way straight to the NBA just like he did (needless to say things didn’t quite turn out that way).
71. Tony Parker (2002-Current) – PG – 3 time 2nd team All-NBA, 4 time champion, 1 finals MVP
If Tony Parker had played for the Knicks or Lakers or Heat, or really anybody other than the Spurs, that whole sleeping with his teammate’s wife and breaking up their marriage thing would have followed him around like the Tiger Woods exploits continue to follow him around. But he happened to play in that Spurs bubble for his entire career, so that whole fiasco has kind of gotten swept under the rug and is now just a footnote on his legacy. It really should be a bigger deal. Come on Tony, that’s your teammate man.
70. Dennis Johnson (1977-1990) – PG – 1 time 1st team All-NBA, 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 3 time champion, 1 finals MVP
69. Bernard King (1978-1993) – SF – 1 MVP Runner Up, 2 time 1st team All-NBA, 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
Bernard King was absolutely devastating before injuries cut short his prime, and his duel with Isiah during the ’84 playoffs is one of the best NBA TV Hardwood Classics that hooks me in every time it is on.
68. Jerry Lucas (1964-1974) – PF – 3 time 1st team All-NBA, 2 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time champion
67. Tom Heinsohn (1957-1965) – SF – 4 time 2nd team All-NBA, 8 time champion
66. Tracy McGrady (1998-2012) – SG – 2 time 1st team All-NBA, 3 time 2nd team All-NBA, 2 time scoring leader
65. Bob McAdoo (1973-1986) – C – 1 MVP, 2 MVP Runner Ups, 1 time 1st team All-NBA, 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time champion, 3 time scoring leader
Bob McAdoo is one of the most forgotten all-time great players. He was MVP of the league in 1975 and finished second on two other occasions. Only 18 other players have that many top two MVP finishes!Want to know a few players not on that list? How about Kobe, Hakeem, Oscar, Baylor, Barkley, Dirk. So why doesn’t he crack the top 50? Well his case is hurt by a few things, namely the fact that he spent his best years with the Buffalo Braves, which was basically the equivalent of spending your prime with the Kings in today’s league. In other words, nobody was watching, and deep playoff runs weren’t part of the equation. He also bounced around a lot later in his career and never found playoff success until he became a role player on the ‘82 champion Lakers.
64. Nate Thurmond (1964-1977) – C – 1 MVP Runner Up
63. Dave Debusschere (1963-1974) – PF – 1 time 2nd team All-NBA, 2 time champion
62. Dominique Wilkins (1983-1999) – SF – 1 MVP Runner Up, 1 time 1st team All-NBA, 4 time 2nd team All-NBA, 1 time scoring leader
61. James Worthy (1983-1994) – SF – 3 time champion, 1 finals MVP
James Worthy was one of my favorite players as a kid even though my only exposure to him was through my Return to Glory VHS (which told the story of the 1985 championship Laker season). I was transfixed every time a clip came on of Magic leading the break with Worthy gracefully filling the lane, ready to receive a no look pass and finish with a one-handed slam without ever breaking stride. It was basketball perfection. Big Game James is also a super solid nickname, made even better by the fact that it was well deserved, as evidenced by his 36-16-10 stat line in game 7 of the ’88 finals.
The Jello's Jiggling 