×
Back left
Back right

NBA Names Top 50 Players (2009)

Jul 10, 2018

Trying to settle on the best player in the NBA isn't easy. Still a panel of 107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts managed to name the Top 50 NBA Players. Check out the official list, below.


Some Stats, For Starters


  1. Kobe Bryant received almost twice as many first-place votes as LeBron James: 62 to 34.

  2. Dwyane Wade was third on the list and received 11 first-place votes.

  3. Dwight Howard was fourth on the list.

  4. Tim Duncan scored fifth spot on the list.
  5. Rounding out the Top 10: Chris Paul (Hornets); Kevin Garnett (Celtics); Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks); Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets); and Paul Pierce (Celtics).

Top 50 By Team

  1. Bobcats, Kings, Knicks, Timberwolves, Warriors
  2. Bulls, Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Wizards
  3. Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Jazz, Magic, Mavericks, Pistons, Raptors, 76ers, Suns
  4. Hawks, Nuggets, Rockets
  5. Celtics, Spurs
  6. Lakers

Top 50 By Position

  • Point guard: 11
  • Shooting guard: 12
  • Small forward: 11
  • Power forward: 10
  • Center: 6


  • TOP 50 PLAYERS

    1. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers
    2. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers
    3. Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat
    4. Dwight Howard, C, Magic
    5. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs
    6. Chris Paul, PG, Hornets
    7. Kevin Garnett, PF, Celtics
    8. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks
    9. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Nuggets
    10. Paul Pierce, SF, Celtics
    11. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
    12. Deron Williams, PG, Jazz
    13. Tony Parker, PG, Spurs
    14. Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers
    15. Yao Ming, C, Rockets
    16. Shaquille O'Neal, C, Cavaliers
    17. Pau Gasol, PF, Lakers
    18. Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors
    19. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns
    20. Chauncey Billups, PG, Nuggets
    21. Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder
    22. Manu Ginobili, SG, Spurs
    23. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks
    24. Tracy McGrady, SG, Rockets
    25. Joe Johnson, SG, Hawks
    26. Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls
    27. Ray Allen, SG, Celtics
    28. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards
    29. Ron Artest, SF, Lakers
    30. Vince Carter, SG, Magic
    31. Danny Granger, SF, Pacers
    32. Baron Davis, PG, Clippers
    33. Devin Harris, PG, Nets
    34. Ben Gordon, SG, Pistons
    35. Al Horford, C, Hawks
    36. Carlos Boozer, PF, Jazz
    37. Nene, C, Nuggets
    38. Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics
    39. Andre Iguodala, SG, 76ers
    40. Josh Smith, PF, Hawks
    41. Rudy Gay, SF, Grizzlies
    42. Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Raptors
    43. Lamar Odom, SF, Lakers
    44. Shane Battier, SF, Rockets
    45. Elton Brand, PF, 76ers
    46. Richard Jefferson, SF, Spurs
    47. O.J. Mayo, SG, Grizzlies
    48. Charlie Villanueva, PF, Pistons
    49. Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
    50. Andrew Bynum, C, Lakers



    What Do You Think?

    Who's really better - Kobe Bryant or Lebron James? Tell us on the BOARDS!



    Related Stories:

  • Kobe Bryant Bio
  • Dwight Howard Bio
  • Tim Duncan Bio
  • Kevin Garnett Bio