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In October 1996, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the NBA named
the 50 greatest players in league history. The voting was done by a
league-approved panel of media, former players and coaches, current and former
general managers and team executives. The players are listed alphabetically
along with the dates of their professional careers and positions. Active players
are in bold type.
| Player |
Position |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1969-89 |
C |
| Nate Archibald, 1970-84 |
G |
| Paul Arizin, 1950-61 |
F/G |
| Charles Barkley, 1984-00 |
F |
| Rick Barry, 1965-80 |
F |
| Elgin Baylor, 1958-72 |
F |
| Dave Bing, 1966-78 |
G |
| Larry Bird, 1979-92 |
F |
| Wilt Chamberlain, 1959-73 |
C |
| Bob Cousy, 1950-63, 69-70 |
G |
| Dave Cowens, 1970-80, 1982-83 |
C |
| Billy Cunningham, 1965-76 |
G |
| Dave DeBusschere, 1962-74 |
F |
| Clyde Drexler, 1983-98 |
G |
| Julius Erving, 1971-87 |
F |
| Patrick Ewing,
1985-02 |
C |
| Walt Frazier, 1967-80 |
G |
| George Gervin, 1972-86 |
G |
| Hal Greer, 1958-73 |
G |
| John Havlicek, 1962-78 |
F/G |
| Elvin Hayes, 1968-84 |
F/C |
| Magic Johnson, 1979-91, 96 |
G |
| Sam Jones, 1957-69 |
G |
| Michael Jordan, 1984-93, 95-98,
01-03 |
G |
| Jerry Lucas, 1963-74 |
F/C |
| Karl Malone, 1985— |
F |
| Moses Malone, 1974-95 |
C |
| Pete Maravich, 1970-80 |
G |
| Kevin McHale, 1980-93 |
F |
| George Mikan, 1946-54, 55-56 |
C |
| Earl Monroe, 1967-80 |
G |
| Hakeem Olajuwon, 1984-02 |
C |
| Shaquille O'Neal, 1992— |
C |
| Robert Parish, 1976-97 |
C |
| Bob Pettit, 1954-65 |
F/C |
| Scottie Pippen, 1987— |
F |
| Willis Reed, 1964-74 |
C |
| Oscar Robertson, 1960-74 |
G |
| David Robinson, 1989-03 |
C |
| Bill Russell, 1956-69 |
C |
| Dolph Schayes, 1948-64 |
F/C |
| Bill Sharman, 1950-61 |
G |
| John Stockton, 1984-03 |
G |
| Isiah Thomas, 1981-94 |
G |
| Nate Thurmond, 1963-77 |
C/F |
| Wes Unseld, 1968-81 |
C/F |
| Bill Walton, 1974-88 |
C |
| Jerry West, 1960-74 |
G |
| Lenny Wilkens, 1960-75 |
G |
| James Worthy, 1982-94 |
F |
Note: Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, George Gervin and
Moses Malone all played part of their pro careers in the ABA.
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