50 Greatest Players in NBA History

Template:Short description Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was the third anniversary team in the league.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former players and coaches, and current and former general managers. In addition, the top ten head coaches and top ten single-season teams in NBA history were selected by media members as part of the celebration.<ref name="fifty_greatest">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The 50 players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position played.

The list was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern on October 29, 1996, at the hotel Grand Hyatt New York, the site of the Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed in 1946. The announcement marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the league's anniversary.<ref name="fifty_greatest"/> Forty-seven of the fifty players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game.<ref name="fifty_greatest"/>Template:Refn At the time of the announcement, 11 players were active; all have subsequently retired.

Players selected

List

Eleven players (Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton) were active in the Template:Nbay, during which the list was announced.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> All have since retired. O'Neal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the Template:Nbay. All of the selected players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. At the time of the list, only Pete Maravich was deceased.<ref name=aschburner_10232021>Template:Cite news</ref>

All 11 members from the 35th anniversary team were selected.<ref name=aschburner_10232021/> Eight of the 10 players from the 25th anniversary team were chosen, with Bob Davies and Joe Fulks—who both last played in the 1950s—being omitted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Key

Italics		Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction
All Star		Denotes number of All-Star appearances
HOF Year		Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction
G	Guard		F	Forward	C	Center
Pos	Position		Pts	Points	Reb	Rebounds
Ast		Assists		MVP	Most Valuable Player

Name	Team(s) played for (years)Template:Ref label	Pos	Pts	Reb	Ast	Championships wonTemplate:Ref label	MVP won	Finals MVP won	All Star	HOF Year	Ref.
Template:Sortname	Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	38,387	17,440	5,660	Template:Ntsh 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)	Template:Ntsh 6 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1971, 1985)	19	1995	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City Kings (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Nets (Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay)	G	16,481	2,046	6,476	Template:Ntsh 1 (1981)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	6	1991	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	16,266	6,129	1,665	Template:Ntsh 1 (1956)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	10	1978	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Phoenix Suns (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	23,757	12,546	4,215	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	11	2006	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	18,395	5,168	4,017	Template:Ntsh 1 (1975)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (1975)	8	1987	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	23,149	11,463	3,650	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	11	1977	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Detroit Pistons (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Washington Bullets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay)	G	18,327	3,420	5,397	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	1990	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	21,791	8,974	5,695	Template:Ntsh 3 (1981, 1984, 1986)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1984, 1986)	12	1998	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	31,419	23,924	4,643	Template:Ntsh 2 (1967, 1972)	Template:Ntsh 4 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1972)	13	1979	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cincinnati Royals (Template:Nbay)	G	16,960	4,786	6,955	Template:Ntsh 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	13	1971	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay)	C	13,516	10,444	2,910	Template:Ntsh 2 (1974, 1976)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	7	1991	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	13,626	6,638	2,625	Template:Ntsh 1 (1967)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	4	1986	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Detroit Pistons (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	14,053	9,618	2,497	Template:Ntsh 2 (1970, 1973)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	8	1983	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	22,195	6,677	6,125	Template:Ntsh 1 (1995)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	10	2004	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	18,364	5,601	3,224	Template:Ntsh 1 (1983)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	11	1993	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Seattle SuperSonics (Template:Nbay) Orlando Magic (Template:Nbay)	C	24,815	11,607	2,215	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	11	2008	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	15,581	4,830	5,040	Template:Ntsh 2 (1970, 1973)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	1987	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	San Antonio Spurs (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay)	G	20,708	3,607	2,214	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	9	1996	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	21,586	5,665	4,540	Template:Ntsh 1 (1967)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	10	1982	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F/G	26,395	8,007	6,114	Template:Ntsh 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (1974)	13	1984	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	San Diego / Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F/C	27,313	16,279	2,398	Template:Ntsh 1 (1978)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	12	1990	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	G	17,707	6,559	10,141	Template:Ntsh 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 3 (1980, 1982, 1987)	12	2002	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	15,411	4,305	2,209	Template:Ntsh 10 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	5	1984	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Washington Wizards (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	32,292	6,672	5,633	Template:Ntsh 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)	Template:Ntsh 5 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)	14	2009	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Cincinnati Royals (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) San Francisco Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	14,053	12,942	2,732	Template:Ntsh 1 (1973)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	1980	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Utah Jazz (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay)	F	36,928	14,968	5,248	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 2 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	14	2010	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Buffalo Braves (Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay) Washington Bullets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Atlanta Hawks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) San Antonio Spurs (Template:Nbay)	C	27,409	16,212	1,796	Template:Ntsh 1 (1983)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1983)	12	2001	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Atlanta Hawks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New Orleans / Utah Jazz (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay)	G	15,948	2,747	3,563	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	5	1987	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	17,335	7,122	1,670	Template:Ntsh 3 (1981, 1984, 1986)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	1999	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Minneapolis Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	C	10,156	4,167	1,245	Template:Ntsh 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	4	1959	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Baltimore Bullets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	17,454	2,796	3,594	Template:Ntsh 1 (1973)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	4	1990	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Toronto Raptors (Template:Nbay)	C	26,946	13,748	3,058	Template:Ntsh 2 (1994, 1995)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1994, 1995)	12	2008	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Orlando Magic (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Miami Heat (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Phoenix Suns (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay)	C	28,596	13,099	3,026	Template:Ntsh 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)	Template:Ntsh 1 (2000)	Template:Ntsh 3 (2000, 2001, 2002)	15	2016	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Golden State Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Charlotte Hornets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay)	C	23,334	14,715	2,180	Template:Ntsh 4 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	9	2003	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	20,880	12,849	2,369	Template:Ntsh 1 (1958)	Template:Ntsh 2 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	11	1971	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay) Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	18,940	7,494	6,135	Template:Ntsh 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	2010	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C/F	12,183	8,414	1,186	Template:Ntsh 2 (1970, 1973)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1970, 1973)	7	1982	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Cincinnati Royals (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	26,710	7,804	9,887	Template:Ntsh 1 (1971)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	12	1980	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	San Antonio Spurs (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	20,790	10,497	2,441	Template:Ntsh 2 (1999, 2003)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	10	2009	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	14,522	21,620	4,100	Template:Ntsh 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)	Template:Ntsh 5 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh None	12	1975	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	18,438	11,256	3,072	Template:Ntsh 1 (1955)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	12	1973	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Washington Capitols (Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	12,665	2,779	2,101	Template:Ntsh 4 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	8	1976	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Utah Jazz (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	19,711	4,051	15,806	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	10	2009	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Detroit Pistons (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	18,822	3,478	9,061	Template:Ntsh 2 (1989, 1990)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (1990)	12	2000	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	14,437	14,464	2,575	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	7	1985	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	10,624	13,769	3,822	Template:Ntsh 1 (1978)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1978)	5	1988	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	C	6,215	4,923	1,590	Template:Ntsh 2 (1977, 1986)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1977)	2	1993	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	G	25,192	5,366	6,238	Template:Ntsh 1 (1972)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (1969)	14	1980	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	St. Louis Hawks (Template:Nbay−Template:Nbay) Seattle SuperSonics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay)	G	17,772	5,030	7,211	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh None	9	1989	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>
Template:Sortname	Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	F	16,320	4,708	2,791	Template:Ntsh 3 (1985, 1987, 1988)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 1 (1988)	7	2003	<ref>Template:Cite basketball-reference</ref>

Selection process

The list was made through unranked voting completed by 50 selected panelists. Sixteen of the panelists were former players voting in their roles as players, 13 were members of the print and broadcast news media, and 21 were team representatives: contemporary and former general managers, head coaches, and executives. Of the last group, 13 were former NBA players. Players were prohibited from voting for themselves. Only three voting former players (Bill Bradley, Johnny Kerr, and Bob Lanier) were not selected to the team.

Voters

*	Denotes voter who was selected to the 50 Greatest Players list
Voter category	As categorized by the NBA

Name	Voter category
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Player
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Player
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname*	Player
Template:Sortname	Team
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname*	Team
Template:Sortname	Media member
Template:Sortname*	Team

Template:Anchor Top 10 Coaches in NBA History

Template:Multiple image Alongside the selection of the 50 greatest players was the selection of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. All 10 coaches named were alive at the time of the list's announcement, and five of them—Bill Fitch, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, and Lenny Wilkens—were then active. Seven have since died: Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly in 2009, Jack Ramsay in 2014, John Kundla in 2017, Bill Fitch in 2022, and Wilkins in 2025. Jackson was the last of the ten to coach in the NBA; he announced his retirement after the 2010–11 season. Nelson was the only member to have never won a championship as a coach, even though he won five as a player. Wilkens was the only member of the coaches list to have been selected as a member of the players list. All ten coaches are also members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with Fitch the last member inducted in 2019.

Key

Italics

Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction

Coach	Team(s) coached (years)Template:Ref label	Coaching record	Championships won as coachTemplate:Ref label	Coach of the Year award(s) won	Year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction	Ref.
Template:Sortname	Washington Capitols (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 938–479 (.662)	Template:Ntsh 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	1969	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay) Detroit Pistons (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New Jersey Nets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Orlando Magic (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 638–437 (.593)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1989, 1990)	Template:Ntsh None	1994	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Boston Celtics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Houston Rockets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New Jersey Nets (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Clippers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 944–1106 (.460)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1981)	Template:Ntsh 2 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	2019	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 696–604 (.535)	Template:Ntsh 2 (1970, 1973)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	1986	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Chicago Bulls (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1155–485 (.704)	Template:Ntsh 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	2007	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Minneapolis Lakers (1948–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 423–302 (.583)	Template:Ntsh 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)	Template:Ntsh None	1995	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Milwaukee Bucks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Golden State Warriors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (1995–1996) Dallas Mavericks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1335–1063 (.557)	Template:Ntsh None	Template:Ntsh 3 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	2012	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Nelson HOF">Template:Cite press release</ref>
Template:Sortname	Philadelphia 76ers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Buffalo Braves (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Indiana Pacers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 864–783 (.525)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1977)	Template:Ntsh None	1992	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Los Angeles Lakers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Miami Heat (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1210–694 (.636)	Template:Ntsh 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay)	2008	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Sortname	Seattle SuperSonics (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay, Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Portland Trail Blazers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Cleveland Cavaliers (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Atlanta Hawks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) Toronto Raptors (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay) New York Knicks (Template:Nbay–Template:Nbay)	Template:Ntsh 1332–1155 (.536)	Template:Ntsh 1 (1979)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Template:Nbay)	1998	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Top 10 Teams in NBA History

Also included in the NBA's 50th-anniversary celebration was the selection of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print and broadcast media who regularly cover the NBA. Teams were chosen from among all single-season individual teams. Each team won the NBA championship, and they combined to average 66 wins per season. The 1995–96 Chicago Bulls had, at the moment, the best single-season record in NBA history with 72 wins.

Six out of the 30 NBA franchises (29 franchises at the time of announcement) had a team named to the list; the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers had two teams selected.

Six players were on the roster of two teams on the list—Wilt Chamberlain with the 1966–67 Sixers and 1971–72 Lakers; James Edwards, Dennis Rodman, and John Salley with the 1988–89 Pistons and 1995–96 Bulls; and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the Bulls in both 1991–92 and 1995–96. Three other individuals both played for and coached honored teams, all of whom completed this "double" with a single franchise—K. C. Jones with the Celtics as a player in 1964–65 and coach in 1985–86, Billy Cunningham with the Sixers as a player in 1966–67 and coach in 1982–83, and Pat Riley with the Lakers as a player in 1971–72 and coach in 1986–87. Phil Jackson, head coach of the Bulls from 1989 to 1998, was the only man to coach two teams that made the list. Although Jackson was under contract to the Knicks as a player in their 1969–70 championship season, he did not play that season as he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Hall of Famers listed for each individual team are solely those inducted as players, and do not include those inducted in other roles. Players whose names are italicized were inducted after the announcement of the ten best teams.

Season	Team	Record	Roster and head coach	Players in the Hall of Fame	Players on the 50 Greatest Players list	Ref.
1964–65	Boston Celtics	Template:Ntsh 62–18 (.775)	Ron Bonham, Mel Counts, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, Willie Naulls, Bevo Nordmann, Bill Russell, Tom Sanders, Larry Siegfried, John Thompson, Gerry Ward, coach Red AuerbachTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 5 (K. Jones, S. Jones, Heinsohn, Russell, Havlicek)Template:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 3 (S. Jones, Russell, Havlicek)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1966–67	Philadelphia 76ers	Template:Ntsh 68–13 (.840)	Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Costello, Billy Cunningham, Dave Gambee, Hal Greer, Matt Guokas, Luke Jackson, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Chet Walker, Bob Weiss, coach Alex HannumTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 4 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham, Walker)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1969–70	New York Knicks	Template:Ntsh 60–22 (.732)	Dick Barnett, Nate Bowman, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Bill Hosket, Don May, Willis Reed, Mike Riordan, Cazzie Russell, Dave Stallworth, John Warren, coach Red HolzmanTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 5 (Reed, Bradley, DeBusschere, Frazier, Barnett)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Frazier, DeBusschere, Reed)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1971–72	Los Angeles Lakers	Template:Ntsh 69–13 (.841)	Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Cleamons, LeRoy Ellis, Keith Erickson, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jim McMillian, Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, John Trapp, Jerry West, coach Bill SharmanTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 4 (Goodrich, West, Chamberlain, BaylorTemplate:Ref label)	Template:Ntsh 3 (West, Chamberlain, Baylor)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982–83	Philadelphia 76ers	Template:Ntsh 65–17 (.793)	J. J. Anderson, Maurice Cheeks, Earl Cureton, Franklin Edwards, Julius Erving, Marc Iavaroni, Clemon Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, Mark McNamara, Clint Richardson, Russ Schoene, Andrew Toney, coach Billy Cunningham	4 (Erving, Malone, Cheeks, Jones)	Template:Ntsh 2 (Erving, Malone)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1985–86	Boston Celtics	Template:Ntsh 67–15 (.817)	Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Rick Carlisle, Dennis Johnson, Greg Kite, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Jerry Sichting, David Thirdkill, Sam Vincent, Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Sly Williams, coach K. C. Jones	Template:Ntsh 5 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton, Johnson)	Template:Ntsh 4 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1986–87	Los Angeles Lakers	Template:Ntsh 65–17 (.793)	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Adrian Branch, Frank Brickowski, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Magic Johnson, Wes Matthews, Kurt Rambis, Mike Smrek, Byron Scott, Billy Thompson, Mychal Thompson, James Worthy, coach Pat RileyTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 4 (Cooper, Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar)	Template:Ntsh 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1988–89	Detroit Pistons	Template:Ntsh 63–19 (.768)	Mark Aguirre, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins, Fennis Dembo, Joe Dumars, James Edwards, Steve Harris, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, John Long, Rick Mahorn, Pace Mannion, Dennis Rodman, Jim Rowinski, John Salley, Isiah Thomas, Micheal Williams, coach Chuck DalyTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 4 (Thomas, Dumars, Dantley, Rodman)	Template:Ntsh 1 (Thomas)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1991–92	Chicago Bulls	Template:Ntsh 67–15 (.817)	B. J. Armstrong, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Bob Hansen, Craig Hodges, Dennis Hopson, Michael Jordan, Stacey King, Cliff Levingston, Chuck Nevitt, John Paxson, Will Perdue, Scottie Pippen, Mark Randall, Rory Sparrow, Scott Williams, coach Phil JacksonTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 2 (Jordan, Pippen)	Template:Ntsh 2 (Jordan, Pippen)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995–96	Chicago Bulls	Template:Ntsh 72–10 (.878)	Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, Jack Haley, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Toni Kukoč, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Wennington, coach Phil JacksonTemplate:Ref label	Template:Ntsh 4 (Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Kukoč)	Template:Ntsh 2 (Jordan, Pippen)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Notes

• Template:Note label American Basketball Association (ABA) teams other than those admitted into the NBA in 1976 are not included; each year is linked to an article about that particular NBA season.
• Template:Note label Each year is linked to an article about the NBA Finals in that year.
• Template:Note label Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coach; Bill Sharman was inducted as both a player and a coach
• Template:Note label A sixth player on this team, Sanders, was inducted into the Hall as a contributor in August 2011.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
• Template:Note label Having been injured in the second game, Baylor missed the remainder of the Template:Nbay. He retired at the beginning of the next season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Refend

See also

• ABA All-Time Team
• NBA anniversary teams

References

General

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External links

• NBA.com: The 50 Greatest Players page Template:Webarchive
• NBA.com: Top 10 Coaches page Template:Webarchive
• NBA.com: Top 10 Teams page Template:Webarchive