Top 100 All Time Basketball Players - Who you got?

settling on my list

I have a hard time seeing Shaq above Dream. The Dream eviscerated Shaq in their one NBA finals matchup, and the Dream was elite on BOTH ends of the floor.

pete23nba said:

I have a hard time seeing Shaq above Dream. The Dream eviscerated Shaq in their one NBA finals matchup, and the Dream was elite on BOTH ends of the floor.

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that's why this list is so hard!!!!!


Hakeem v Shaq

https://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/hakeem_olajuwon_vs_shaquille_oneal.htm

do a list up!

GarnettFan4Life said:

that's why this list is so hard!!!!!


Hakeem v Shaq

https://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/hakeem_olajuwon_vs_shaquille_oneal.htm

do a list up!

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Think you need to do a Delly vs Scalabrine comparison!

Or a Penny vs Hill would be interesting!

1. Michael Jordan
2. LeBron James
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. Magic Johnson
5. Bill Russell
6. Wilt Chamberlain
7. Tim Duncan
8. Larry Bird
9. Shaquille O'Neal
10. Hakeem Olajuwon

Up

@jimboiitmac - here's my irrational and rational top player lists haha - i think people who have followed players for a long time are bound and entitled to have them higher than most on the top lists lol

Bump so I can update or people can add theirs - I’m thinking top 10 is too hard - we might have to do 25

This Redick comment about plumbers and firemen has stirred up some debate too - very interesting topic

1. Jordan

2. Shaq
3. Curry
4. Pippen
5. Rodman
6. Magic
7. Lebron
8. Robinson
9. Hakeem
10. Kareem

Top 3 are solid maybe the bottom 7 will change around over the years.

MJ / bird / wilt - pick your order.

magic
hakeem
kareem
dirk
shaq
duncan
lebron

but it really depends on what we're talking about when we say 'top 10'. does that mean careers? overall player skills? stats?
my above list is based mainly on the players who i think have the best overall skill sets, not so much who the best stats/career accomplishments...altho for a lot of the list, arguments could be made either way. especially those top 3.

1. Michael Jordan
2. Bill Russell
3. Lebron James
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. Stephen Curry
6. Shaquille O'Neal
7. Tim Duncan
8. Magic Johnson
9. Larry Bird
10. Hakeem Olajuwon

That was tough!

sgt_pepper said:

MJ / bird / wilt - pick your order.

magic
hakeem
kareem
dirk
shaq
duncan
lebron

but it really depends on what we're talking about when we say 'top 10'. does that mean careers? overall player skills? stats?
my above list is based mainly on the players who i think have the best overall skill sets, not so much who the best stats/career accomplishments...altho for a lot of the list, arguments could be made either way. especially those top 3.

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it's hard to quantify isn't it! impossible given the different eras. Like the Hall of Fame - no set criteria to enter.

Mine was a mix of skills and stats I guess. And I don't think anyone else would have KG as the #10 all time but it's MY list so I'll put who I damn well want!!! haha

TheCardExperience said:

Click to expand...

Nick Wright getting ready to go on tv

Updating my list -


Given the fact the NBA just called it the NBA 75th Anniversary team with no other clarification that I'm aware of I'm going to do my in a pretty rough order as best as I can.

i'm just going to think about it as the greatest gamers. Unstoppable, amazing players, winners and teammates. Players who helped revolutionised the game. Trail Blazers.

You can't think of it as would Steph beat Wilt 1 v 1 or would Kareem beat Iverson in my opinion. You have to think of it as MJ made a lot of players in that era wee in there shorts a little bit. Shaq broke whole basketball ring systems. Oscar did everything you can do to put numbers in stat columns. Russell beat everyone that stood in his way. Durant could virtually not be blocked due to his height and skill set. Dirk destroyed the soft Euro tags. Iverson would simply not be stopped unless you killed him and Steph took the game out to a range where they legit had to consider making a 4 point line he made it look so easy.

A definitive order is literally impossible. Different times and different eras. Players got injured and didn't end their careers they way they wanted. New players took bits and pieces from players before them, added it to the mix of better resources and technology and the money flowing into the game, made possible by the greats before them, and so, continue to show off new skills that blind people to the fact that they wouldn't be where they are without the greats before them. The players who rode the buses state to state and sat on literal wood benches. The guys who couldn't stay in the same hotel as their white team mates and had the pressures of racism on them as they stepped on the court and averaged a triple double or scored 100 points but then couldn't go and get a meal in that restaurant across the road after the game. It's really unthinkable to most of us today and I'm only 40 years old.

The numbering below is just to give these guys a place in the 75 best of the 75 years the NBA is celebrating. I'm not going to make it 76 though like they did.

People are going to be left off and feel disrespected! It's going to happen when something like 5000 players have come through the NBA - we have to stop somewhere and just do our best when most games aren't able to be watched on tape or dvd or YouTube. A lot of people are gone that sat courtside and took stats and got to watch the actual games. People get old. Their memory gets fuzzy and they might get biased or grumpy in old age. I write this all now because I'm shocked and disappointed at the comments by JJ Redick about "plumbers and firemen". He's a smart guy. Did he say it for click bait or had a couple of wines? Maybe. I haven't heard any clarification or response as yet. But the disrespect........ from a retired player who got to make $100 million dollars and some great players before him died broke! I can't understand it. I was a fan. Not any more.

Having said the above, I think it was disingenuous of the NBA to just leave the 50 on and add another 25. They clearly made an error leaving Dominique Wilkins off the 50 team

I'm curious and looking forward to making this list at the 100 mark.

Thank you for reading and I hope we can get some good discussion on this!

#GarnettFan4Life #NBA75 #BasketballFan4Life





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GarnettFan4Life's



1. Michael Jordan - 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG
2. Bill Russell - 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
3. Shaquille O'Neal - 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG
4. Wilt Chamberlain - 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG
5. LeBron James - 27.1 PPG, 7.4 APG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
7. Magic Johnson - 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG
8. Kobe Bryant - 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG
9. Larry Bird -24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG
10. Tim Duncan - 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.2 BPG
11. Hakeem Olajuwon - 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG
12. Stephen Curry - 24.3 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG
13. Oscar Robertson - 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG
14. David Robinson - 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 BPG
15. Kevin Durant - 27.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 BPG
16. Julius Erving - 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG
17. Moses Malone - 20.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
18. Kevin Garnett - 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 BPG
19. Charles Barkley - 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG
20. Karl Malone - 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG
21. Jerry West - 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG
22. Dirk Nowitzki - 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.3 3PG
23. John Havlicek - 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.2 SPG
24. Isiah Thomas - 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG
25. John Stockton - 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG
26. Chris Paul - 18.2 PPG, 9.5 APG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 SPG
27. Dwyane Wade - 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG
28. Scottie Pippen - 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG
29. Bob Cousy - 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG
30. Allen Iverson - 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG
31. Elgin Baylor - 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
32. Bob Pettit - 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
33. Dominique Wilkins - 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG
34. Sam Jones - 17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG
35. Steve Nash - 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG
36. Patrick Ewing - 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG
37. Dennis Rodman - 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG
38. Kevin McHale - 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG
39. Rick Barry - 23.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.1 APG
40. Ray Allen - 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG
41. Walt Frazier - 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG
42. George Gervin - 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG
43. Jason Kidd - 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG
44. Artis Gilmore - 18.8 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.5 BLK (ON)
45. Gary Payton - 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.8 SPG
46. Bob McAdoo - 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
47. Jerry Lucas - 17.0 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 3.3 APG
48. Nate Thurmond -15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 BPG
49. Wes Unseld - 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG
50. Giannis Antetokounmpo - 21.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.3 BPG
51. Dave Cowens - 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG
52. James Harden - 25.0 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.6 RPG
53. Elvin Hayes - 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 0.9 APG
54. Reggie Miller - 18.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG
55. Clyde Drexler - 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG
56. Robert Parrish - 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG
57. Russell Westbrook - 22.9 PPG, 8.5 APG, 7.4 RPG
58. Paul Pierce - 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG
59. Earl Monroe - 18.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.9 APG
60. Carmelo Anthony - 22.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.7 APG
61. George Mikan - 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG
62. Dennis Johnson - 14.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.0 APG (ON)
63. James Worthy - 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG
64. Willis Reed - 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
65. Bernard King - 22.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG (ON)
66. Nate Archibald - 18.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 2.3 RPG
67. Dwight Howard - 15.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG (ON)
68. Hal Greer - 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG
69. Paul Arizin - 22.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 APG
70. Manu Ginobili - 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APG (ON)
71. Dolph Schayes - 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG
72. Alonzo Mourning - 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 2.8 BPG (ON)
73. Dikembe Mutombo - 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 2.8 BPG (ON)
74. Alex English - 21.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG
75. Vince Carter - 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG


Possible snubs for official NBA 75 list: Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Alex English, Ben Wallace, Klay Thompson.

Recommended removals: Bill Walton, Earl Monroe, Bill Sharman, Billy Cunningham, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo.


Eleven active players have been named to the 75th Anniversary Team: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.




Taken off the 75 list and/or should/will be on the 100 list :

Anthony Davis - 23.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 BPG (OFF)
Damian Lillard - 24.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.2 RPG (OFF)
Kawhi Leonard - 19.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG (OFF)
Bill Sharman - 17.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.0 APG (OFF)
Dave DeBusschere - 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG (OFF)
Billy Cunningham - 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG (OFF)
Lenny Wilkens - 16.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.7 RPG (OFF)
Pete Maravich - 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG (OFF)
Dave Bing - 20.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.8 RPG (OFF)
Bill Walton - 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.2 BPG (OFF)
Yao Ming - 19.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.6 APG
Pau Gasol - 17.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.2 APG
Anfernee Hardaway - 15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG
Grant Hill - 16.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.1 APG
Vince Carter - 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG
Shawn Kemp - 14.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.6 APG
Chris Bosh - 19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
Draymond Green - 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 BLK
Klay Thompson - 19.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG
Tracy McGrady - 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG
Ben Wallace - 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.0 BLK
Paul George - 20.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.6 APG
Kyrie Irving - 23.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.7 APG
Luka Doncic - 26.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8.0 APG
Marques Johnson - 20.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.6 APG
Nikola Jokic - 19.7 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 6.2 APG
Tony Parker - 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG



References:


https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-the-original-50-greatest-players-of-all-time

https://www.basketball-reference.com/

Official NBA 50 list

1. Michael Jordan - 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG
2. Bill Russell - 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
3. Shaquille O'Neal - 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG
4. Wilt Chamberlain - 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG
5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
6. Magic Johnson - 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG
7. Larry Bird -24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG
8. Hakeem Olajuwon - 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG
9. Oscar Robertson - 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG
10. David Robinson - 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 BPG
11. Elgin Baylor - 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
12. Julius Erving - 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG
13. Moses Malone - 20.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
14. Charles Barkley - 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG
15. Karl Malone - 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG
16. Jerry West - 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG
17. John Havlicek - 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.2 SPG
18. Isiah Thomas - 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG
19. John Stockton - 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG
20. Scottie Pippen - 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG
21. Bob Cousy - 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG
22. Bob Pettit - 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
23. Sam Jones - 17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG
24. Patrick Ewing - 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG
25. Kevin McHale - 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG
26. Rick Barry - 23.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.1 APG
27. Walt Frazier - 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG
28. Bill Walton - 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.2 BPG
29. Jerry Lucas - 17.0 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 3.3 APG
30. Nate Thurmond -15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 BPG
31. Wes Unseld - 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG
32. Dave Cowens - 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG
33. George Gervin - 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG
34. Robert Parrish - 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG
35. Elvin Hayes - 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 0.9 APG
36. Clyde Drexler - 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG
37. Earl Monroe - 18.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.9 APG
38. James Worthy - 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG
39. Willis Reed - 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
40. Nate Archibald - 18.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 2.3 RPG
41. Hal Greer - 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG
42. Paul Arizin - 22.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 APG
43. Dolph Schayes - 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG
44. George Mikan - 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG
45. Bill Sharman - 17.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.0 APG
46. Lenny Wilkens - 16.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.7 RPG
47. Dave Bing - 20.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.8 RPG
48. Billy Cunningham - 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG
49. Dave DeBusschere - 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG
50. Pete Maravich - 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG





................................

Possible snubs for 50 list: Dominique Wilkins, Artis Gilmore, Adrian Dantley, Bob McAdoo, Bob Lanier, Alex English
Recommended removals: Earl Monroe, Bill Sharman, Billy Cunningham



Active Players

• Named in October 1996, 11 of the top 50 were active during the 1996-97 NBA season: Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton.
• Among active players, Parish (43) was the oldest while O'Neal (24) was by far the youngest.

Voters for the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (player), Marv Albert (media), Al Attles (team), Red Auerbach (team), Elgin Baylor (team), Dave Bing (player), Larry Bird (team), Marty Blake (team), Fran Blinebury (media), Bill Bradley (player), Hubie Brown (team), Wilt Chamberlain (player), Mitch Chortkoff (media), Bob Cousy (player), Billy Cunningham (team), Chuck Daly (team), David DuPree (media), Wayne Embry (team), Julius Erving (player), Joe Gilmartin (media), Sam Goldaper (media), Alex Hannum (team), Lester Harrison (team), John Havlicek (player), Chick Hearn (media), Red Holzman (team), Phil Jasner (media), Earvin Johnson (player), John Kerr (player), Leonard Koppet (media), Bob Lanier (player), Frank Layden (team), Leonard Lewin (media), Jack McCallum (media), Dick McGuire (team), George Mikan (player), Bob Pettit (player), Harvey Pollack (team), Jack Ramsay (team), Willis Reed (team), Oscar Robertson (player), Bill Russell (player), Bob Ryan (media), Dolph Schayes (player), Bill Sharman (player), Gene Shue (team), Isiah Thomas (team), Wes Unseld (team), Peter Vecsey (media), Jerry West (team)

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 veterans (Bill Bradley, Johnny Kerr, and Bob Lanier) were not selected to the team.


https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players

GarnettFan4Life said:

Having said the above, I think it was disingenuous of the NBA to just leave the 50 on and add another 25.

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I don't think this was the case, there were enough votes for the original 50 for them to make the 75 list. They weren't automatic inclusions.

Lippo said:

I don't think this was the case, there were enough votes for the original 50 for them to make the 75 list. They weren't automatic inclusions.

Click to expand...

The NBA 75th Anniversary Team was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of current and former NBA players, coaches, general managers and team and league executives, WNBA legends and sportswriters and broadcasters. Voters were asked to select the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History without regard to position. Panelists did not rank their selections. Current and former players were not allowed to vote for themselves.

All 50 members of the NBA 50th Anniversary Team, which was named in 1996, have been selected to the 75th Anniversary Team.





I don't know how voting worked , they're not saying- hence we can't say how people could make it on to the 75 that didn't last time. Oh well.




https://pr.nba.com/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced/


https://pr.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2021/10/NBA-75th-Anniversary-Team-FINAL.pdf

One of the voters wrote what they did though:


We were instructed to fill out our ballots however we saw fit. We could start from scratch and identify the best 75 players as each of us defined them. We could stick with the 50 Greatest from 1996 and add 25 more. We could do anything in between, as long as we submitted 75 names by the league’s deadline.

To do that, it meant that list – and this new list – had to be more than snapshots from the month and year in which they were voted. Dropping players from the first one would mean that, 25 or 50 years from now, great players who made this group of 75 could get jettisoned, too.

For the prestige and honor to endure, that one and this one had to last. That’s when I decided I had to keep the first 50 intact and add 25.


https://www.nba.com/news/steve-aschburner-explains-vote-for-nba-75