From Legends to Newcomers: Meet the Best NBA Players

Discover the best NBA players of all time, from court legends to rising stars.

Over the decades, we have witnessed the transformation of the sport through the hands of players who became cultural icons.

From Jordan to LeBron, from Shaq to Curry, each generation brought its own revolution to the game.

For true fans, knowing these athletes goes beyond statistics – it means understanding the essence of basketball.

In today’s article, we will explore the journeys of the greatest NBA players of all time, revealing their stories and achievements in the sport.

LeBron James

Among NBA players, LeBron James stands out as a phenomenon that every fan has followed since his debut in 2003 when he was drafted directly from high school by the Cleveland Cavaliers at 18 years old.

His impressive career includes four NBA titles won with three different franchises – Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers – a feat few players have achieved.

LeBron has accumulated four MVP awards, 19 All-Star Game selections, and is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2023.

Off the court, he expanded his impact as a billionaire entrepreneur, film producer, sports team owner, and philanthropist, creating the “I Promise” school for underprivileged children in his hometown of Akron.

You can admire how he balances being one of the greatest NBA players and a present father to his three children.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, whom you certainly know as “MJ,” began his journey among NBA players in 1984 when he was selected by the Chicago Bulls as the third overall pick in the draft.

During his legendary career, he won six NBA championships with the Bulls, forming one of the greatest dynasties in sports.

Jordan accumulated five MVP awards, ten scoring titles, and holds the highest scoring average in history (30.1 points per game) among all NBA players.

A fun fact you might not know is that Jordan was cut from his high school varsity team, which only made him more determined to start his career.

Off the court, MJ transformed into an extremely successful businessman, with his Air Jordan brand revolutionizing the sports shoe market.

Today, we can see him as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and an enthusiastic golfer who still maintains his competitive spirit in everything he does.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal redefined the concept of physical dominance among NBA players with his imposing presence of 2.16m and 147kg.

His impact in the paint was simply devastating, making him virtually unstoppable when he received the ball near the basket.

With four NBA titles to his name, O’Neal formed one of the most memorable duos alongside Kobe Bryant with the Lakers.

His charismatic personality and sharp sense of humor made him one of the most beloved NBA players off the court.

His stints with Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston left marks on each franchise.

After retiring, he remained relevant as an analyst and entrepreneur, continuing to influence new generations of basketball players.

Larry Bird

Larry Bird began his journey among the great NBA players in 1979 when you would see a young, ordinary-looking man transform the Boston Celtics into a dominant powerhouse.

During his 13-year career entirely dedicated to the Celtics, Bird won three consecutive NBA championships (1981, 1984, 1986) and three consecutive MVP awards.

Larry remained loyal to the Boston Celtics throughout his career, a loyalty rarely found in modern basketball.

After retiring, you can follow his successful transition as the coach of the Indiana Pacers, being named Coach of the Year in his debut season, and later as an executive for the same franchise.

Magic Johnson

Earvin “Magic” Johnson began his journey among the brightest NBA players in 1979 when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers after winning the NCAA championship with Michigan State.

An extraordinary feat even by today’s standards, Magic Johnson won the NBA Finals MVP as a rookie.

During his 13-year career, Magic won five championships with the Lakers, three MVP awards, 12 All-Star Game selections, and led the league in assists four times.

A fun fact is that his famous nickname “Magic” was given by journalist Fred Stabley Jr., impressed by his high school performances.

Off the court, Magic Johnson is an extremely successful businessman, with investments in theaters, Starbucks franchises, sports teams, and has become one of the most prominent NBA players in business and philanthropy.

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry joined the elite group of NBA players in 2009 when he was selected as the seventh overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.

His journey in the league includes four NBA championships with the Warriors, two consecutive MVP awards (the first unanimous in history in 2016), and the record for most three-pointers made in NBA history.

Curry has remained loyal to the Warriors throughout his career, building one of the most impressive dynasties we can witness in the 2010s.

Curry is known as a dedicated family man, an active philanthropist with his “Eat. Learn. Play.” foundation focused on underprivileged children, and a content producer through his Unanimous Media company.

Additionally, he balances his life as one of the most iconic current NBA players with interests in golf and technology.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant began his journey among the most talented NBA players in 2007 when he was selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics (which soon became the Oklahoma City Thunder).

During his impressive career, KD won two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors (2017 and 2018), being Finals MVP on both occasions, and a regular-season MVP award in 2014 with the Thunder.

Durant has been an exceptional player who left his mark on four franchises: Seattle/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-2016), Golden State Warriors (2016-2019), Brooklyn Nets (2019-2023), and now Phoenix Suns.

An interesting and surprising fact about Durant is that he grew an incredible 7.5 cm after being drafted, which transformed his game and contributed to his unique style among NBA players.

KD is also a successful entrepreneur with his company “Thirty Five Ventures.” He is known as an active philanthropist with his Kevin Durant Foundation, which builds basketball courts in communities.

Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić joined the select group of NBA players in 2018 when he was selected as the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Even before arriving in the NBA, you might have heard about his success as a professional in Europe, where he was the EuroLeague MVP at just 19 years old with Real Madrid.

In his young career with the Mavericks, Dončić has already accumulated four All-Star Game selections, four All-NBA First Team selections, and the Rookie of the Year award in 2019.

A fascinating fact about him is that Luka began his professional career with Real Madrid at 16 years old, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history.

He is fluent in four languages (Slovenian, Spanish, English, and Serbian), has a passion for horses on his property in Slovenia, and dedicates time to his foundation, which supports children and youth basketball development.

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokić quietly emerged among NBA players in 2015 when he was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the 41st overall pick in the draft.

His evolution led to three consecutive MVP awards (2021-2023) and an NBA title in 2023, being crowned Finals MVP after leading the Nuggets to the franchise’s first championship.

A fun fact that demonstrates his unique personality: Jokić is so passionate about horse racing that he owns his own racehorses in Serbia.

During his vacations, he is rarely seen in glamorous destinations, as Jokić usually returns to Serbia to be with family and friends, showing a lifestyle contrasting with many other NBA players.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum began his journey among the most promising NBA players in 2017 when he was selected as the third overall pick by the Boston Celtics after a standout season at Duke.

In his young career, it is already possible to witness his impressive achievements: five consecutive All-Star Game selections, four All-NBA Team selections, and most recently, the NBA championship in 2024.

A fun fact about Tatum is that he has a tattoo with the phrase “I just didn’t quit” in honor of the advice his father constantly gave him during his childhood.

In his personal life, Tatum is dedicated to his son Deuce and has a foundation called “The Jayson Tatum Foundation” focused on supporting his hometown community of St. Louis and Boston.

Conclusion

The history of NBA players is a continuous testament to the evolution of basketball and the human potential for excellence.

While we celebrate established legends, we also witness the emergence of new talents promising to elevate the game even further.

The beauty of basketball lies in this constant reinvention through the hands of extraordinary players over the decades.

The narrative of these great players continues to be written each season, with new chapters waiting to be revealed on the courts.