Michael Jordan – If you asked people who the greatest individual basketball player was that ever lived, you will hear Michael Jordan’s name more than any other. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and won the league MVP award five times in his career. Michael was a scoring machine throughout his career, and he led the NBA in scoring in 10 different seasons. He ended his career with a 30.1 scoring average. What made Michael truly unique from other gifted offensive players is that he also had the stamina to be a great defensive player. This was appreciated in 1988 as he was named NBA defensive player of the year. Other honors Michael Jordan received include winning the rookie of the year award in 1985, 14 all-star game appearances and two slam dunk championships.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson – Magic Johnson became a truly unique basketball player that NBA fans were not used to seeing. Unlike most basketball players, Earvin did not center his game on scoring. Instead, Earvin concentrated more on passing and making his teammates better. Magic did not do it in a dull way though. He often would be very flashy and show NBA fans passes that did not seem possible. Magic Johnson was the cause for the term “Showtime” that was linked to his Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s. He was a very special player from the beginning of his NBA career during the 1979-1980 season. Magic led the Lakers to NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He also won the MVP award in 1987, 1989 and 1990. He appeared in the all-star game 12 times and is believed by many to have revolutionized and saved the game of basketball.
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Larry Bird – Larry Bird was Magic Johnson’s rival during the 1980s. His Celtics would represent the East in the NBA Finals five times during the 1980s. He led the Celtics to NBA championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986. Larry Bird showed that a player did not have to be the faster runner or the highest jumper in order to be a dominant basketball player. He was an all-around great player posting career stats of 24.3 points per game, 10.00 rebounds and 6.3 assist. He was league MVP in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
The top three NBA players were pretty easy. There are many who can fill the shoes for the next two slots but we have decided who is the most deserving. Although a top five list is always arguable and debatable, that is what makes it fun. Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions. One thing for certain though that is not as arguable is the Billy Elliot at Victoria Palace Theatre show. This is a musical show that nobody will want to miss.
Wilt Chamberlain – Wilt was one of the greatest forces that the NBA had ever seen. Wilt is one of the very few guys to have ever blocked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s signature sky hook shot. He dominated the game during his days. He holds the record for the most points in a NBA game by scoring 100 points against the New York Knicks. He was not only a scoring machine but also a great rebounder. During the 1961-1962 season he averaged 50.4 points per game and 25.7 rebounds.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Kareem spent his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is the NBA all-time scoring leader with 38,387 points. He won one championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971 and won five more with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He was a 19 time all-star and was league MVP in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1980. Kareem perfected the sky hook shot and it became his signature shot.