Random Mode Keyboard shortcut: Command/Ctrl + Shift + R
thumbnail

NBA's 50 Greatest Players From 1996

For its 50th anniversary in 1996, the NBA released a list of the 50 greatest players in its history. How many can you name?
The list is not ranked
Team = team for which the player played the most games
Also see this quiz for the Top 100 Players from a 2016 ESPN poll
Quiz by jakek99
Rate:
Last updated: October 9, 2019
You have not attempted this quiz yet.
First submittedNovember 19, 2012
Times taken62,812
Average score42.0%
Rating4.24
7:00
Enter player here:
0
 / 50 guessed
The quiz is paused. You have remaining.
Scoring
You scored / = %
This beats or equals % of test takers also scored 100%
The average score is
Your high score is
Your fastest time is
Keep scrolling down for answers and more stats ...
Retired
Team
Answer
2011
Lakers
Shaquille O'Neal
2004
Jazz
Karl Malone
2003
Bulls
Michael Jordan
2003
Bulls
Scottie Pippen
2003
Jazz
John Stockton
2002
Knicks
Patrick Ewing
2002
Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon
2002
Spurs
David Robinson
2000
76ers
Charles Barkley
1998
Trail Blazers
Clyde Drexler
1997
Celtics
Robert Parish
1996
Lakers
Magic Johnson
1995
Rockets
Moses Malone
1994
Pistons
Isiah Thomas
1994
Lakers
James Worthy
1993
Celtics
Kevin McHale
1992
Celtics
Larry Bird
1989
Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1987
76ers
Julius Erving
1987
Trail Blazers
Bill Walton
1986
Spurs
George Gervin
1984
Kings
Nate Archibald
1983
Celtics
Dave Cowens
1981
Bullets
Elvin Hayes
1981
Bullets
Wes Unseld
Retired
Team
Answer
1980
Warriors
Rick Barry
1980
Knicks
Walt Frazier
1980
Jazz
Pete Maravich
1980
Knicks
Earl Monroe
1978
Pistons
Dave Bing
1978
Celtics
John Havlicek
1977
Warriors
Nate Thurmond
1976
76ers
Billy Cunningham
1975
Hawks
Lenny Wilkens
1974
Pistons
Dave DeBusschere
1974
Royals
Jerry Lucas
1974
Knicks
Willis Reed
1974
Royals
Oscar Robertson
1974
Lakers
Jerry West
1973
Warriors
Wilt Chamberlain
1973
76ers
Hal Greer
1971
Lakers
Elgin Baylor
1970
Celtics
Bob Cousy
1969
Celtics
Bill Russell
1969
Celtics
Sam Jones
1965
Hawks
Bob Pettit
1964
Nationals
Dolph Schayes
1962
Warriors
Paul Arizin
1961
Celtics
Bill Sharman
1956
Lakers
George Mikan
+1
Level 10
May 17, 2013
Lebron will always be better the michael
+5
Level 20
May 18, 2013
lol good one
+2
Level 5
Jan 27, 2014
but Lebron will be better in 2023.
+1
Level 18
May 26, 2023
come back and look what you have said
+1
Level 95
Oct 9, 2019
Totally, just look at how many rings he has!
+1
Level 46
Dec 8, 2020
He has 10 appearances 4 of which were against unimaginable odds and he has 4 wins.
+1
Level 20
Jan 27, 2023
LeBron didn't deserve the rings with Miami
+1
Level 2
Oct 16, 2013
where is Kobe?
+22
Level 56
Jan 22, 2014
in high school
+1
Level 70
Oct 16, 2017
lol
+1
Level 44
May 15, 2014
Got 27 by 3:30...knew I wasn't going to get anymore.
+1
Level 48
Sep 13, 2014
I would have put them in numerical order instead of year they retired
+2
Level 61
Jun 26, 2015
I don't think a numerical order was given when the players were chosen.
+1
Level 23
Feb 11, 2017
No Iverson

You Serious

+2
Level 42
Feb 24, 2017
Well, he was a rookie in '96, so...
+4
Level 35
Nov 27, 2019
Read the quiz description before making stupid comments.
+1
Level 47
Jul 8, 2017
Got all of them from 1986 on except for Robert Parrish.
+4
Level 46
Jul 15, 2019
45/50 not bad for me.

Missed Bob Pettit, Nate Thurmond,Earl Monroe,Paul Arizin,Bill Sharman.

I knew all of them it sucks I can't remember them all within the time limit.

+1
Level 35
Feb 19, 2021
Who cares?
+3
Level 64
Sep 28, 2022
I care. It's encouraging to see people do well on quizzes.
+2
Level 59
Oct 26, 2019
Elvin Hayes retired in 84 not 81!
+1
Level 73
Nov 27, 2019
I got Bill Sharman and couldn't remember Lenny Wilkens. I'm ashamed.
+2
Level 67
Nov 27, 2019
When I was in college, my friends convinced my dad to play a game of beer pong with us, and every time he shot underhand (which was often) he would yell "Rick Barry!" because apparently Barry shot all his free throws underhand. And that is the only reason I know who Rick Barry is and also why I guess him on every basketball quiz.
+1
Level 43
Dec 3, 2019
I still dont understand how Rodman wasnt in that 50. NBA should be ashamed of themselves for leaving him out
+1
Level 21
Feb 12, 2021
For sure. One of the best hustlers, defenders, rebounders, of all time. Was a big part of the Bulls dynasty and big for those Pistons championships.
+1
Level 20
Aug 26, 2021
He isn’t even a top 75 player in nba history
+1
Level 64
Sep 28, 2022
Well well well wouldn't you be surprised at 2022's top 75 list
+1
Level 78
Feb 17, 2023
Missed a whole lot but got Mayor Dave Bing