NBA 75 Greatest Players (pt. 4, 40-31)

40. Patrick Ewing
39. Jason Kidd
38. Bob Cousy
37. Chris Paul
36. George Mikan
35. James Harden
34. Bob Pettit
33. Steve Nash
32. Allen Iverson
31. Rick Barry

40. Patrick Ewing- A warrior. The face of the New York Knicks franchise. Great jump shot. Patrick Ewing was the embodiment of the Knicks. Even Michael Jordan said, "When you think about New York, you think about Patrick Ewing". Strong words. However, even some of the today's younger Knicks fans want to penalize a player like Ewing for not delivering a championship to the Big Apple. People look at his 0 Finals MVPs, 0 League MVPs, and 0 DPOYs, and want to dismiss him. Patrick Ewing was among the best of the best. He was a threat on offense, dangerous on the glass, and a great presence under the rim. It is hard to fault Ewing when he played in an extremely stacked era. When you run into the Chicago Bulls juggernaut year in and out, you can't completely hold it against him. Patrick only made one All-NBA 1st Team, because when you play against the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Shaq, you have a mountain to climb. That is how you put Patrick's legacy in perspective. These scenarios make Patrick Ewing's career another one of the great "what if" legacies in NBA history. "What if the Michael Jordan machine never came into the NBA to squash Ewing's hopes of NBA Titles?" "What if Patrick Ewing never played in the same era with Olajuwon, Shaq, and Robinson?" "What if Patrick did not go down with an injury during the 1992 Playoffs?" "What if Ewing played Game 7 of the '93 ECF vs. the Bulls?" That '92 Terminator Knicks squad was a Defensive monster. If they won against the Blazers & Suns, Ewing would have reshaped his legacy. When Jordan was gone, Patrick's greatest chance to do so came as he led the Knicks to the 1994 NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the  Knicks fell to the Rockets in 7 games, because of archrival Hakeem Olajuwon's outstanding play. The other downfall in that series was the way John Starks blatantly shot them out of winning that elusive title. You could also say, "What if Patrick Ewing played in today's watered down era of a poor competition of Centers?" Still, in spite of that, Ewing's career was still Hall of Fame worthy by any means. Ewing's scoring peaked at 28.6 ppg in 1990. That year, he averaged a career high in blocks with 4.0 BPG. In 1993, his rebounding peaked at 12.1 RPG. Ewing's resiliency and longevity through injuries in a large market are admirable. If Patrick's knees were stronger, who knows what else he could have done? Patrick Ewing left an unforgettable mark on the Knicks franchise. He is the club's all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks and games played. Ewing won Rookie of the Year and was an 11-time All-Star. Patrick Ewing was named to the All-NBA 1st Team once, All-NBA 2nd Team six times, and All-Defensive 2nd Team three times. Obviously, when you play in the same era with the likes of Michael Jordan, Hakeem the Dream, Karl Malone, and Charles Barkley to name a few, it is hard to win the MVP. Patrick Ewing is a bonafide Hall of Famer and a legend.

39. Jason Kidd- Jason Kidd is a tremendously versatile point guard, as a playmaker and defender. His ability to run the fast break is among the greatest ever, along with his excellent vision. Out of all of those attributes, his biggest knock would be his shooting. For his career, he shoots 40% (including many seasons in the 30s). His defense is above-average at best. In 2002, Jason Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to their first of 2 straight Finals appearances. Unfortunately, they were swept under by the Lakers in four games. That season, Kidd finished 2nd place to Tim Duncan for the NBA MVP Award. The following season, Kidd and Duncan would meet in the NBA Finals. Duncan's Spurs would ultimately prevail. Jason Kidd would finally taste victory, as the starting point guard for the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. Jason Kidd is also a 10-time NBA all-star, 5x All-NBA 1st Team, 4x All-Defensive 1st Team, 5x All-Defensive 2nd Team, 5x assists leader, and the 2012 NBA Sportsmanship Award. Jason Kidd's great open court passing, playmaking, vision, and defensive abilities are what cement him among the greatest point guards of all-time. Jason Kidd is a Basketball Hall of Famer.

38. Bob Cousy- "The Houdini of Hardwood". Bob Cousy was an innovator when it came to bringing in flashy playmaking and ballhandling. Without Bob Cousy, there would be no Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, Pistol Pete and others. His style left a major impression on future generations of fans and players. His scoring peaked at 21.7 PPG, his assists at 9.5 APG, and rebounds at 6.9 RPG. The one knock on Cousy would be his shooting percentage (37 FG%), but that was generally the league average at the time for perimeter players. Cousy's contributions were vital for 6 of those Celtics championship teams. Bob Cousy won an NBA MVP Award, he was a 2-time All-Star MVP, 13-time NBA All-Star, 10-time All-NBA 1st Team Selection, and 2-time All-NBA 2nd Team Selection. Mr. Bob Cousy is a trendsetter, Hall of Famer and a Legend.

37. Chris Paul- The most consistent Point Guard of this Generation. CP3 is the quintessential Point Guard as he is the Gold standard by which others are to be measured by. In an era with the likes of Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and others, Chris Paul has been constant. CP3 led the league in assists for two straight seasons (2007-08, 2008-09) when he averaged a career-high 11.6 APG and 11.0 respectively. In 2009, Paul averaged a career-high 22.8 PPG as he was an MVP Candidate for both of those seasons that he was the Assists Leader. He has also led the NBA in Assists in 2013-14, and 2014-15 with 10.7 and 10.2 APG. Chris Paul was able to raise the game of his teammates as the leader of the New Orleans Hornets for a number of years before joining the Los Angeles Clippers. As a Clipper, Paul elevated the team to a level of relevance that they had never witnessed before in franchise history. Together, he and Blake Griffin formed "Lob City" which draws shades of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp in Seattle. CP3 has also led the League in Steals six times with a Career-High of 2.8 SPG in 2009. Chris Paul is a player that demands the most out of his teammates with his demanding, tough style as a PG. During his time in Houston, Chris has helped the Rockets take the Golden State Warriors to the limit as they reached the Western Conference Finals in 2018. However, Chris Paul's injury would hold back his best chance of reaching the Finals appearance that has eluded him for all of these years. Lately, he has drawn comparisons to Isiah Thomas. Both are known to be wizards with the ball, but Chris would have to compile some hardware to further solidify his place among the greatest PG's of all-time.

36. George Mikan- "Mr. Basketball". If you want to talk about a trendsetter and a foundational block, George Mikan was that guy. Mikan was the NBA's first marquee superstar player. He was the original "dominant big man". George Mikan was the predecessor to Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. George Mikan was originally signed by the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) after his '45-'46 college season at DePaul University (That is 1945-'46) He was also the leader of the NBA's first Dynasty, the Minneapolis Lakers of the late '40s/early '50s. For those of you much younger fans, George Mikan was the first to win 5 rings LONG before Kobe or Magic. Mikan led the Lakers to championships from '49-'50, and again for three straight in '52-'54 in the BAA and the NBA. No one had ever seen a man with that type of agility at his size at the time. Mikan won three straight scoring titles, from '49-'51. His scoring peaked out at 28.4 ppg, which was exceptional for the time that he played in. His rebounding peaked at 14.4 RPG and passing at 3.0 APG. Mikan's dominance in the NBL, BAA, and NBA would set the standard for greatness for years to come. George Mikan was a 2 time NBL scoring champion and the first 3-time NBA scoring champion. Mr. Mikan was also a 4-time All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, and 6-time All-BAA/NBA 1st Team Selection. Mr. George Mikan is truly an originator in NBA history as the first superstar, and his legacy should be held in great regard. Mr. George Mikan is a Hall of Famer, Pioneer, and true Legend.

35. James Harden- "The Beard" James Harden has one of the most unique Basketball legacies because of the Arc of his Career. Like Kawhi, Harden's trajectory has been a rather unpredictable surprise. After spending three seasons in Oklahoma City as the 6th Man behind other transcendent players (Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook), James would get traded to the Houston Rockets along with Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward for Kelvin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and two first round picks (One of those picks became Steven Adams). On October 31, 2012, Harden signed a 5-year contract extension worth $80 million. Upon his arrival in Houston, James exploded. Harden's first season was the ultimate surprise for me as it also marked his first All-Star appearance. That season, he averaged 25.9 ppg/4.9 rpg/5.8 apg in 78 games as he started all of them. He also became the fifth player in Rockets history to reach 2,000 points in a season. Among his other achievements that season, Harden also surpassed Moses Malone's franchise record for most free throws made in a season (630 FTM in 1981-82) as he made 674 FTM. To this day, they are the only players in Rockets history to make over 600 free throws in a single season. For his efforts, James Harden joined the All-NBA 3rd Team, marking his first All-NBA Team Selection as he became only the seventh player in Rockets History to earn an All-NBA Team selection. In 2013-14, James Harden continued his encore performance with his second straight All-Star selection with averages of 25.4 ppg/4.7 rpg/6.1 apg. In 2014-15, James Harden continued to raise the level of his game with averages of 27.4 ppg/5.7 rpg/7.0 apg as he finished 2nd place in MVP voting behind Stephen Curry. Harden makes his third straight All-Star Game while making All-NBA 1st Team once again. In Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of the playoffs, Harden recorded his first playoffs triple double with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Rockets defeated the Clippers to avoid eliminiation. In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals vs the Golden State Warriors, Harden scored a career playoff-high 45 points. However, Game 5 was a complete meltdown as Harden had the most forgettable game of his career with 14 points on an abysmal 2-11 shooting with a playoff record 13 turnovers. In Games 4 & 5, he looked like two completely different players. Talk about bizarro. This series marked the beginning of his reputation as a great regular season player who fell short where it mattered the most. This would be the first of three playoff encounters with the powerhouse Warriors. In 2015-16, Harden's scoring average would continue to rise with 29.0 ppg/6.1 rpg/7.5 apg, which were career marks by that point as he joined LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson as the only players to reach those marks in a season. However, this season would be bittersweet as he also set a new record for turnovers with 374, besting Artis Gilmore's 1977-78 mark of 366. That summer (July 9), Harden would sign a four-year $118.1 million contract extension with the Rockets. That September, Rockets Coach Mike D-Antoni announced that Harden would begin the season playing Point Guard. The impact would be seen in his numbers as he lead the league in assists with a career peak of 11.2 apg along with a rebounding peak of 8.1 rpg to go along with 29.1 ppg. The Rockets would get eliminated by the Spurs, 4-2 in the second round. In 2017-18, James Harden would elevate his game even higher by winning his first of three straight scoring titles with 30.4 ppg/5.4 rpg/8.8 apg. This production would lead to Harden becomning the NBA Most Valuable Player. He was also voted MVP for the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) for the second time. With this MVP, Harden would join Moses Malone (1978-79, 81-82) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94) as the only three players in Rockets history to win the award. However, in spite of his individual excellence, the Rockets would fall to the Warriors 4-3 in the WCF as a result of Chris Paul's Game 6 injury. In 2018-19, James Harden would go on a scoring rampage as his scoring average peaked at 36.1 ppg along with 6.6 rpg, 7.5 apg, along with a career-high 2.0 spg. However, he would finish 2nd place in MVP Voting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, who would win his first of back to back MVPs. This would also lead to his fifth All-NBA 1st Team selection. Unfortunately, Houston would fall to Golden State 4-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals. This would lead to Harden demanding the Rockets trade Chris Paul to the OKC Thunder for friend & former teammate Russell Westbrook. The reunion turned out to be a bust as the Rockets would lose to the eventual NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. So far, James Harden's legacy mirrors that of "Iceman" George Gervin. Both have been prolific scorers who were in an Era with more iconic Players. For Harden, he has LeBron, Durant, Steph and Kawhi. The only difference is that Harden has an MVP. Now, he has the chance to rewrite his legacy in Brooklyn. James Harden is a former 6th Man of the Year, NBA MVP, 3-time Scoring Champion, 9-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA 1st Team Selection, and 1-time All-NBA 3rd Team Selection. He also finished Top 2 in MVP Voting 4 times, top 3 five times, top 5 six times, and top 10 eight times. James Harden will go down as not only an All-Time Great, but a Hall of Famer.

34. Bob Pettit- A Basketball Pioneer. One of the building blocks of the NBA. Bob Pettit was the blueprint for the quintessential Power Forward. He set the standard for the likes of Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and others to follow when it comes to statistical dominance at that position. Much like Duncan, Pettit's legacy is overlooked but left a mark for years. Consistent resume with 11 Seasons over 20 ppg & 12 rpg. His prime/peak produced amazing numbers. Coming out of LSU, Pettit joined the NBA in 1954 as the 2nd Overall pick for the Hawks. In College, he was a back to the basket Center but adjusted his game to being a face up Power Forward. However, there were many that were skeptical about Bob's transition because of his lack of size (205 lbs). Pettit managed to prove them wrong by winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 1955 (20.4 ppg/13.8 rpg). That season, he also made his first of 11 NBA All-Star Game appearances. In 1955-56, Bob Pettit made history by becoming the first player in NBA History to receive the Most Valuable Player Award. That season, he averaged 25.7 ppg/16.2 rpg/2.6 apg. Pettit's 25.7 ppg was enough for him to win the NBA Scoring Title. By modern standards, that is considered pretty tame but this was a league that shot 40% on a regular basis. Pettit would also win his first of four All-Star Game MVP Awards. You could say that this would be his first flagship season. In 1956-57, Pettit would lead the St. Louis Hawks to their first Finals appearance with a 34-38 record as they would take on the Boston Celtics led by Rookie Superstar, Bill Russell. In Game 1, Pettit scored 37 points at Boston Garden as the Hawks upset the Celtics in double overtime. Ultimately, Boston would win the Finals as this would be the first of 17 in Franchise History. For the Playoffs, Pettit averaged 29.8 ppg/16.8 rpg. Pettit was not finished, as he led the Hawks back to the NBA Finals with a 41-31 record. However, the story would be different this time as Pettit's Hawks upset Russell's Celtics, 4-2. To have that on your Resume speaks volumes. However, the ugly side of that accomplishment is that Pettit is the last player to lead an all-white NBA Team to a Championship. That's not exactly something that you want to be proud of and remembered for when they tell your story. That season, Pettit averaged 24.6 ppg/17.4 rpg while also winning his second All-Star Game MVP with 28 points and 26 rebounds. In 1958-59, Pettit would win his second MVP Award as he led the league in scoring for the second time with 29.2 ppg to go along with 16.4 rpg. The Hawks would return to the Finals for the last time in 1960 and 1961 as Bill Russell would gain his revenge by leading the Celtics to victory over the St. Louis Hawks in back to back victories. In '61, Pettit lead the league in rebounding for the only time in his career as his rebound average peaked at 20.3 rpg. In 1961-62, Pettit's scoring peaked at 31.1 ppg, while his assists peaked at 3.7 apg. This season, he also won his fourth All-Star Game MVP, a record tied with Kobe Bryant. By this point, the game would begin to pass him by with the rise of Wilt Chamberlain as he became Bill Russell's definitive archrival. As a result, Pettit's window for MVP's and Championships would close. Injuries would also slow him down as he retired following the 1964-65 Season. At the end of his Career, Pettit became the first player to score 20k Career (20,880). Since then, Wilt would soon eclipse his records. Pettit's career averages consisted of 26.4 ppg/16.2 rpg/3.0 apg. Bob Pettit's accolades include an NBA Championship (1958), 2-time NBA MVP ('56, '59), Rookie of the Year (ROY), 2-time Scoring Champion ('56, '58), Rebounding Champion ('56), 4-time All-Star Game MVP ('56, '58, '59, '62), 10-time All-NBA 1st Team ('55-'64), All-NBA 2nd Team ('65).

33. Steve Nash- Steve Nash is one of the most precisely accurate shooters in NBA history. Nash is one of the greatest offensive point guards that we have ever seen. He has had five straight seasons of 50/40/90. (50% FG/40% 3PT/90% FT). His career field goal % is 49 percent, his 3 point % is 42 percent, and free throw % is 90 percent. That is what you call absolute precision. Nash is a fantastic playmaker, great three point shooter, attack the rim and can certainly dish out to a teammate with no problem. The highest honors of Steve Nash's career have been his 2 MVP Awards. During those seasons, he set himself far apart as the best point guard in the NBA. In his 2nd straight MVP season ('05-'06), Nash's scoring peaked at 18.8 ppg. The following season, his passing peaked at 11.6 APG. That year, he also led the league in free throw percentage (92%) Steve Nash led the NBA in assists 5 times (he won three straight from '05-'07). This production ranks among the all-time great point guards. The biggest knocks on Steve Nash's game are his lack of defense, and never making a finals appearance. Steve Nash is John Stockton, but without the defensive abilities. He is also a modern Bob Cousy, but with better shooting percentages. However, Nash's quest continues. Steve Nash's impact is an inspiration for younger NBA fans. Steve Nash is a 2x NBA MVP, 5x Assists Leader, 8x NBA All-Star, 3-time All-NBA 1st Team, 2x All-NBA 2nd Team, and 2x All-NBA 3rd Team. In the end, Steve Nash is without question a 1st Ballot Basketball Hall of Famer, and an NBA great.

32. Allen Iverson- Allen Iverson's relentless playing style and "never say die" mentality is what has garnered him a wide-range of basketball fans. Iverson was "The Answer" in Philadelphia, as their franchise player in the 2000s. Allen Iverson is tied with George Gervin in third place for most scoring titles in NBA history (4). In 2001, he led a less than stellar Philadelphia 76ers squad to a Finals appearance. That season, Iverson won the NBA MVP Award while leading the league in scoring (31.1 ppg). He also led the league in steals for the first of three straight seasons (2.5 SPG). The Sixers would eventually run into the brick wall of Shaquille O'Neal's Lakers in five games that year. The following season, Iverson averaged a career-high 2.8 SPG. In 2004-05, Iverson's passing peaked at 7.9 APG. In 2006, his scoring peaked at 33.0 ppg. In spite of getting knocked around the court, Allen Iverson also led the league in Minutes per game seven times! Iverson was an extremely fearless player that fans could truly sympathize with, and can relate to. Even in the very comedic "practice" soundbite, Iverson showed his love & passion for the game of basketball. The true knock on Allen Iverson's legacy is his inconsistent sub-par shooting percentage. He has led the league in missed shots 11 times. Inefficient scoring aside, there is no denying the mark that Allen Iverson has left on the game, both on and off the court. Allen Iverson was an NBA MVP, 4x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 11-time NBA All-Star, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 3x All-NBA 1st Team, 3x All-NBA 2nd Team, and 1x All-NBA 3rd Team. Allen Iverson is a bonafide Hall of Famer and Legend as his legacy has become more cherished by today's NBA.

31.Rick Barry- Rick Barry is one of the most prolific pure scorers of all-time. His shooting ability was deadly from anywhere on the floor. Barry was a force when he came in the league. Rick Barry won the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1965-66, with 25.7 ppg, with a rebounding peak of 10.6 RPG. The following season (1966-67), Barry led the league in scoring with 35.6 ppg, while leading the Warriors to the Finals where they fell short to Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers. After his first two years in the NBA, Rick Barry was one of the first leading superstars to jump from the NBA to the ABA in 1968. He went on to spend 4 years there. In his first year, Barry did not miss a beat. In 1968-69, he averaged 34.0 ppg and shot a career high 51% FG. He also led the ABA in FT shooting (88%). That same season, he won an ABA championship. When Barry made his return to the NBA, he had a bit of a drop-off, but he picked up his pace soon after. In 1974-75, Barry averaged 30.6 ppg. His passing peaked at 6.2 APG, and steals peaked at 2.9 SPG while leading the league in FT shooting (90%). That season, Barry also led the 8th place Warriors to an NBA Championship, sweeping the 1st place Bullets in the Finals. Barry was named Finals MVP (29.5/4.0/5.0). Rick Barry's production was mind-boggling. He has had 4 seasons of 30+ ppg and led the league in free throw percentage 7 times. He was also a great passer, with numerous seasons of at least 6 APG. The seasons after that, Barry had a nose dive statistically. He also destroyed team chemistry. With all of that said, there is no denying how great he was when he was at his best. When you include his ABA numbers, Rick Barry scored over 25,000 points (25,279). Rick Barry won the NBA Finals MVP, All-Star Game MVP, 8 time NBA All-Star, 5-time All-NBA 1st Team Selection, and All-NBA 2nd Team 1 time. He was also named to 4 All-ABA 1st Teams. Rick Barry is a Basketball Hall of Famer and legend.

NBA 75 Greatest Players ( pt. 3, 50-41)

50. Wes Unseld
49. Willis Reed
48. Gary Payton
47. Russell Westbrook
46. Dominique Wilkins
45. Clyde Drexler
44. Elvin Hayes
43. Kevin McHale
42. Walt Frazier
41. George Gervin

50. Wes Unseld- The ultimate undersized Center. Despite being 6'7", Wes Unseld made up for his lack of traditional size at Center with a defensive presence that made him as immovable as a DC monument. Coming out of Kentucky as the 2nd Overall pick in 1968 behind future teammate Elvin Hayes, Wes made an immediate impact. As a rookie (1968-69), Unseld joined Wilt Chamberlain (1959-60) as being only one of two Rookies to win both Rookie of the Year & MVP in the same season. Wes went on to average 13.8 ppg while his rebounding peaked with a career-high 18.2 rpg as he also earned his first of five All-Star selections. In 1969-70, Unseld's scoring peaked with a career-high 16.2 ppg. However, he missed out on the All-Star team. In 1970-71, Wes would lead the Baltimore Bullets (later Washington) to their first NBA Finals appearance. However, the Bullets would get swept 4-0 to the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and Oscar Robertson. Unseld proved to be one of the toughest defenders of his era as he led the league in rebounding in 1974-75 (14.8 rpg). Along with "The Big E", Wes would lead the Bullets to a 60-22 record as they would tie the Celtics for first in the Eastern Conference. However, history would repeat itself but this time the Bullets would fall in a sweep to Rick Barry's 8th seeded Golden State Warriors. The Bullets would finally bring a championship to DC as they defeated the Seattle Supersonics in 1978, as Unseld was the Finals MVP. After retiring in 1981, Unseld would be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. The legacy of Wes Unseld is that he was the greatest star for the Wizards in the franchise's greatest era as he would continue to be a staple for the organization even in the front office. On June 2, 2020, Unseld passed away after lengthy health battles, including pneumonia. However, his mark in DC and NBA history still lives.

49. Willis Reed- The shining season of Willis Reed's career came in 1970. That season, he became the first player in NBA history to win All-Star Game MVP, Regular Season MVP, and Finals MVP in one year. He also made the All-NBA 1st Team, and All-Defensive 1st Team. The most heroic moment of his career came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, where he limped to the court and inspired his team to victory. Willis Reed was a very fearlessly, tenacious player, on offense and defense. His career high scoring average was 21.7 ppg. He also averaged a career-high 14.6 RPG. Reed would go on to win another Finals MVP in 1973, but injuries would diminish his effectiveness. The year 1970 will forever be the defining year for Willis Reed's legacy. Reed was also the "Sporting News MVP", in a year with strong competition at his position. Willis Reed was a 2-time NBA Finals MVP, 1-time NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, 7-time All-Star, 1-time All-NBA 1st Team selection, 1-time All-Defensive 1st Team selection, and a 4-time All-NBA 2nd Team selection. Willis Reed is a Basketball Hall of Famer.

48. Gary Payton- Gary Payton was one of the most intense, hands-on, lockdown defenders of all-time. "The Glove" was a perfect nickname for his defensive style because he was constantly ready to pick an opposing player's pocket for a steal. Payton was one of the most dangerous perimeter defenders of all-time, along with the likes of Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen. Not only was he a supreme defender, but he was a good offensive player. Gary Payton was the face of the Seattle Supersonics franchise, as the team's all-time leader in points, assists, and steals. Even though he never won an MVP Award, Gary Payton's greatness cannot be denied. Unfortunately, Gary was in the gigantic shadow of the "Michael Jordan Era", which crippled the legacies of many great players. Not only was Payton overshadowed by Air Jordan himself, but also by other players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone, David Robinson and others. Still, GP found a way to stand out. Gary Payton was one of, if not the best two-way Point Guard in NBA history as it pertains to offense and defense. During his prime, Payton was a 20 ppg, 8 APG, guy. In 1996, The Glove enjoyed his defining season. That season, he won Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in steals with a career-high 2.9 SPG. Payton also led the Sonics to the NBA Finals, where they fell to Jordan's 72-win Bulls in a tough, hard-fought defensive series. In 1999-2000, GP's scoring peaked at 24.2 ppg, while his rebounding peaked at 6.5 RPG. In 2001-'02, his passing peaked at 9.0 APG. In 2006, Gary Payton finally enjoyed the championship success that he desired for years when he won as a member of the Miami Heat. Gary Payton is tied with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant for most All-Defensive 1st Team Selections in NBA history with 9. Payton and Jordan are the only players to win DPOY, with those 9 selections. GP was also named to 2 All-NBA 1st teams, All-NBA 2nd Team 5 times, All-NBA 3rd Team three times, and 9 All-Star selections. Gary Payton will soon be a Hall of Famer, and is already a legend.

47. Russell Westbrook- One of the more polarizing players of recent NBA History besides LeBron. An energetic point guard with the firepower of a shooting guard. Praised for his intensity and athleticism, but is famous for making critical errors because of his ball-dominant style of play. Russell Westbrook is definitely the prototype for a score first, ask questions later point guard. After being drafted 4th Overall by The Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, Russell would join forces as the sidekick to Kevin Durant as they would be seen as the Team of the future. Durant & Westbrook definitely had shades of Shaq & Penny Hardaway for the Orlando Magic during the mid 90s. After finishing fourth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting to Derrick Rose, Westbrook would improve the next season as he became a full-time starter. In 2009-2010, The Thunder made a significant turnaround where they more than doubled their wins as they finished with a 50-32 record. These were the first signs of promise as OKC legitimized themselves as contenders in the West. However, they would eventually fall to the back to back Champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. In 2010-11, Russell made his first All-Star selection as a reserve for the Western Conference. That season, he was the best second option for KD by contributing with 21.9 ppg, 8.2 apg, 4.6 rpg. OKC would prove once again that they were a vital threat in the West before falling in the Western Conference Finals to Dirk Nowitzki's Dallas Mavericks. As we know, the Mavs would eventually become the NBA Champions that year. Not only was Nowitzki driven, but Russ also had streaky shooting that hurt the team. In 2011-12, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally made their breakthrough by making their first Finals appearance in franchise history apart from the Seattle Supersonics. Unfortunately, the Thunder would fall to the Miami Heat (4-2), led by LeBron James and his other Big 3 teammates, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. That Thunder team would never return to the Finals. Russell would have another All-Star campaign in 2012-13 before having a second surgery on his right knee prior to the 2013-14 season. The surgery would drastically hinder his performance that season including arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that would keep him out through the All-Star Break. As a result, OKC remained competitive because they relied heavily on the performance of franchise star Kevin Durant, who would go on to win MVP. I believe this is what turned their competitiveness into a deeper sense of jealousy. After finishing 59-23, the Thunder finished 2nd in the Western Conference behind the San Antonio Spurs. OKC would lose to the eventual Champion Spurs in the WCF, as Westbrook would average 26.7 ppg, 8.1 apg, 7.3 rpg in the postseason. He would also become the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1964 to average at least 26 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in the playoffs. Clearly, this was only a sign of bigger things. The tables would soon turn as Kevin Durant would be sidelined for most of the 2014-15 season after being diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his foot. KD would only be available for 27 games, which left room for Westbrook to shine, as he led the NBA in scoring for the first time in his career (28.1 ppg). In his return to the All-Star Game, Russ won ASG MVP with 41 points. Westbrook set a record for most All-Star points in a half (27), as he finished one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain's 1962 total of 42. He also became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to record four consecutive triple-doubles. However, Westbrook's individual brilliance was not enough as the Thunder missed the playoffs with a 45-37 record, placing them ninth in the West. The 2015-16 Season is when things finally began to truly implode. On October 30, Russ and KD both scored 40 points against the Orlando Magic. That is fitting because this season would be 20 years since Shaq & Penny's last season in Orlando. KD was Shaq and Russ was Penny and the parallels became even more obvious as their egos grew larger. There was not enough Basketball for either of them. Westbrook would earn his second All-Star MVP Award in 2016. This season, he would go on another triple-double run which led to averaging 10.4 apg for the first time in his career. However, the Thunder would implode after notoriously blowing a 3-1 lead to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. This would lead to one of the biggest break ups in NBA History next to Shaq's breakups with Penny & Kobe as Durant would leave and join the rival Warriors. The chemistry was already deteriorating, and this confirmed what was going to inevtiably happen. As a result, Russell would have his signature season in 2016-17 as he would become the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to accomplish this feat. Russ would go on to have three consecutive triple-double seasons. This was Westbrook at his best as his scoring also peaked with a career-high 31.6 ppg, making him the league's scoring champion. He also enjoyed career-highs in 3-point percentage (34.3%) and free-throw percentage (84.5%). As a result of this historic season, Russell won NBA MVP (31.6 ppg/10.7 rpg/10.4 apg). I believe this was his vengeance season since KD went to Golden State. He also became the first player to win MVP with less than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982. However, the Thunder would suffer an embarrassing first round playoff exit thanks to James Harden's Houston Rockets, 4-1. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant would have the last laugh winning his first two straight NBA Championships as the Warriors conquer the Cavs, 4-1. Russell would have two more triple-double seasons but they would both end in first round failures like his MVP campaign. The biggest embarrassment came at the hands of Damian Lillard & the Portland Trailblazers, which would culminate in Westbrook getting traded to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul. Westbrook would enjoy a brief reunion with former OKC Thunder teammate James Harden. However, the fun would be short lived as the Rockets would fall to the eventual NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. After that experiment blew up, the Rockets would trade Russ to the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, the Wizards missed the postseason. As he continues to write out his story, there is no doubt that Russell Westbrook has already made history for this game.

46. Dominique Wilkins- Dominique Wilkins was one of the NBA's most dynamic scorers and high-flyers in his prime. Dominique was truly a Human Highlight Film, as he captured the imagination of fans everywhere with his powerful windmills, alley-oops, and tomahawk dunks. In 1986, Dominique won the NBA scoring title, as he led the league with 30.3 ppg. That season, he also made his first All-Star Game, as well as his only All-NBA 1st Team appearance. From that point, Michael Jordan would soon take force as the scoring champ. Unfortunately, Dominique's legacy was overshadowed and swallowed up by the era of Magic/Bird/Jordan. Many fans simply remember the battles with Michael Jordan in the dunk contest but don't go to further educate themselves. People rarely mention Dominique's classic game 7 battle against Larry Bird in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals in 1988. That season, Dominique's scoring average peaked at 30.7 ppg. Wilkins carried above-average to good Atlanta Hawks teams. None of those teams were great & elite. As a result, his legacy was further squashed, because the Hawks had to fight the Juggernauts of the East (Mid-'80s Celtics, Late-'80s Pistons, Early-'90s Bulls). Nique was amazing in the open court for the fast break. He also had a pretty decent post game, and soon became a better shooter. His rebounding also peaked at 9.0 RPG. Wilkins also had 10 straight seasons with 25 ppg. However, one of the most surprising things that I have found about Dominique was that he was a volume scorer. His career average was 46%. This is pretty ironic, considering much of his game involved attacking the basket. For me, that hole is not quite as large as the hole of not having the right supporting cast. I believe that if Dominique Wilkins and James Worthy switched places, Nique would be the one with multiple championships with Magic, Kareem & co. (no offense Worthy) Dominique's career numbers prove that he is another great case study of someone's legacy being hindered because of the team, not the player themselves. Dominique Wilkins was a 9-time NBA All-Star, 1-time All-NBA 1st Team selection, a member of 4 All-NBA 2nd Teams, and 2 All-NBA 3rd teams. Dominique Wilkins is a Basketball Hall of Famer and a very overlooked legend.<

45. Clyde Drexler- Amazing high-flyer, Incredible all-around player. Clyde "The Glide" Drexler was truly a fantastic athlete, great ballhandler, thinking man's player, excellent defender and progressed into a better shooter. Here is one of the many forgotten perimeter players from the Magic/Bird/Jordan era, who held his own, but was greatly overshadowed. Drexler was terrific on the fast break finishing plays with incredible dunks & layups during an incredibly physical era. Today's new-school fanboys don't understand, and many refuse to. He was the definition of a player with incredible grace, style, and class much like others such as Julius Erving, David Robinson, and Hakeem to name a few. Clyde Drexler is the greatest player in Portland Trailblazers history. During the '80s/early '90s, Clyde Drexler was the closest matchup to Michael Jordan, along with Dominique. Even Drexler & Jordan's nicknames were identical. "Clyde The Glide" vs. "Air Jordan". Clyde-6'7", MJ-6'6". Drexler-210, Jordan-200. Their head to head matchups was absolute classics. Even against The Greatest, Clyde was able to handle himself very well. Drexler's first true breakout season was in 1987-88, where he averaged 27.0 ppg/6.6 rpg/5.8 APG. One of Clyde's greatest individual season came in '88-'89, where his scoring peaked at 27.2 ppg, and his rebounding peaked out at 7.9 RPG along with 5.8 APG. Drexler also averaged a career-high 2.7 SPG that season. Those look very close to LeBron-type numbers. In '89-'90, Clyde Drexler led the Blazers to the first of 2 Finals appearances ('90, '92). Very interesting to note that Clyde led the Blazers to the Finals the year before MJ. Another similarity in their legacy is that they were dynamic high-flying guards that battled the physically brutal "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons Defense. In '91-'92, Drexler and Jordan finally met each other in the NBA Finals. That season, Drexler averaged 25.0 ppg/6.6 rpg/6.7 APG and finished 2nd place in MVP Voting behind Michael Jordan himself. That season, he also made his first and only All-NBA 1st Team Selection. The comparisons & buildup from the media were very strong, much like a heavyweight fight. The media desperately needed a new rivalry & story for the '90s, since Magic & Bird were out of the picture. The stage was set, as everything finally culminated during that Finals. Jordan certainly came out victorious, but Drexler's supporting cast failed, as his sidekick Terry Porter fell flat. After two straight drop-off seasons, Clyde Drexler realized that he was on the decline and Portland needed to rebuild. That rebuilding process involved him going to a better team, where he could finally win a ring. Midway through the '94-'95 season, Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets for Otis Thorpe, so that he could reunite with former college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. During the playoffs, Drexler was fantastic as Olajuwon's sidekick during that 1995 Rockets Championship run. Drexler was also a 10-time NBA All-Star, All-NBA 1st Team Selection 1 time, All-NBA 2nd Team 2 times, and All-NBA 3rd Team 2 times. Mr. Clyde Drexler is indeed a Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA legend.

44. Elvin Hayes- "The Big E" Elvin Hayes was certainly a force on the basketball court. After an outstanding college career at the University of Houston, Hayes was drafted 1st overall in the 1968 NBA draft. Expectations were strong, and he did not disappoint. Elvin Hayes put the NBA on notice ('68-'69), as he led in scoring (28.4 ppg) and rebounding (17.1 RPG). Hayes was the second, and the last player to do so since Wilt Chamberlain (1959-60). To this day, I am still mind-boggled as to why the Big E did not win Rookie of the Year & MVP (both awards went to future teammate Wes Unseld). In '70-'71, Elvin's scoring peaked at 28.7 ppg. After that season, the San Diego Rockets would move to Houston. This is the same place where Hayes first made his mark in college at UH. However, the reunion only lasted one season, as Hayes was traded to the Baltimore Bullets in 1972. Elvin Hayes' run from '68-'72 was unbelievable. Every year, he averaged over 25 ppg, and 3 years over 16 RPG. As a Bullet, Elvin sacrificed his numbers, because he was surrounded by a better overall team. In 1973-'74, Elvin Hayes led the league in rebounding again, as he averaged a career-high (18.1 RPG). The front-court combo of Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld was deadly for other teams. Together, they led the Bullets to 3 Finals appearances (1975, '78, '79). The Bullets won in 1978, over the Seattle Supersonics. Elvin Hayes had 13 seasons where he averaged a double-double. The others to do that include Wilt, Russell, Moses Malone and Shaq. He would have had 16, had his streak not ended in '81-'82. However, Hayes did average a double-double every season in the playoffs. Elvin Hayes was a model of durability, as he has played over 80 games every season. He also has exactly 50,000 minutes. However, the biggest knock that I have for Elvin Hayes would be his field goal percentage. As a big man, he was surprisingly inaccurate as he only shot 45% for his career. He was also often known as a player that came up short under pressure in the playoffs & big games. Hayes also had a reputation for not being a great team player. Elvin Hayes was a 12-time NBA All-Star, 3-time All-NBA 1st Team selection, 3-time All-NBA 2nd Team selection, 2-time All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, Scoring Champion, NBA champion (1978 Bullets), 1968 Sporting News & Associated Press Player of the Year. Elvin Hayes is a true Basketball Hall of Famer & legend.

43. Kevin McHale- From quintessential 6th Man to being on the front line with Larry Bird and Robert Parish for the Celtics Big 3, Kevin McHale was also a pioneer for low-post moves. Thanks to his long arm reach, McHale was able to destroy defenders in the post offensively as well as be a nightmare on defense. His wingspan is listed as 8'0", which is even longer than Kevin Durant's wingspan (7'5"). Kevin's defensive prowess earned him 6 All-NBA Defensive Team selections along with his 7 All-Star selections. McHale's presence proved critical for Boston's championship success in the 80s as the Powerhouse of the East to counter the Showtime Lakers dominance in the West. Charles Barkley has gone on record to say that Kevin McHale was the toughest player that he ever guarded, which is all you need to know as a testament to his skill. He also won back to back 6th Man of the Year Awards (1984, 1985). Both of those seasons, the Celtics faced off against the Lakers in the Finals. Boston would win in 1984 (4-3), where the signature play of the series was McHale knocking Kurt Rambis' head off with a clothesline mid air. The next season, the Lakers would get their revenge. In 1985-86, Kevin McHale would become a full-time starter for the Celtics as the impact would become immediate. That season, he would join Bird, Parish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge to establish a green machine that would steamroll the NBA with a league best 67-15 record. When it comes to single seasons, this could very well be considered not only the best Celtics team of all-time, but arguably the best team in NBA History. A case could be made for this team with the likes of the 1996 Chicago Bulls, 2017 Golden State Warriors and many others. In 1986-87, his scoring peaked at 26.1 ppg along with his rebounding at 9.9 rpg, along with leading the league in Field Goal % (60.4). This season was a flagship in other ways as McHale would become the first player in NBA History to shoot 60% from the field or better while shooting 80% or better from the free throw line (83.6%). This season would reward him with his only All-NBA 1st Team Selection. However, McHale's foot injury would come back to bite him as the Lakers would vanquish the Celtics (4-2). Kevin would lead the league in FG% once again in 1987-88 with the same percentage. Injuries would later derail him, but Kevin already proved to be the premiere Power Forward of the 80s as he was part of one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA History. Much like James Worthy with the Lakers and Scottie Pippen with the Bulls, Kevin McHale played an integral sidekick role that proved to be a strong backbone for his team's success.