This is a requested topic for a future podcast episode. I do have a giant spreadsheet with a bunch of stats and stuff in it to help figure this out, but I'm doing this off the top of my head.
My Top 10
- Jordan: 6 titles, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 MVPs, 1 DPOY, and tops by my eye test
- Lebron: 4 titles, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 MVPs, 20 All-NBAs, holds virtually all the career playoff stats
- Kareem: 6 titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 6 MVPs, 15 All-NBAs, also the greatest HS and college player ever
- Wilt: 2 titles, 1 Finals MVP, 4 MVPs, 10 All-NBAs, holds virtually all single game and single season records
- Magic: 5 titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 3 MVPs, 10 All-NBAs, greatest passer of all time and played every position
- Bird: 3 titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 3 MVPs, 10 All-NBAs, most well-rounded player ever
- Russell: 11 titles, 5 MVPs, 11 All-NBAs, greatest winner in the history of professional sports
- Duncan: 5 titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 MVPs, 15 All-NBAs, most underrated player in NBA history
- Kobe: 5 titles, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 15 All-NBAs, 12 All-Defense teams, more All-Star MVPs than anyone
- Steph: 4 titles, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 10 All-NBA, greatest shooter ever
Honorable mentions: Shaq and Jokic
Shaq and Steph are a toss-up to me. I came down on the side of positional balance. You could think of this as an All-time 1st and 2nd team, rather than purely a top 10.
I expect Jokic to make it, but he's right in the middle of his prime and hasn't yet matched the career achievements of these guys.
Let the arguments begin!
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