(image via ClutchPoints)

The game of basketball was created on December 1st of 1891 by a man by the name of James Naismith. That was over 13 decades ago, seems like a long time ago huh? The evolution of basketball has been an amazing one, and continues to transcend. When the NBA was created back in 1946 it introduced the world to some of the most talented athletes to play the game. Now I'm not going to get into the topic of could these era of players play in the old school era because I'll be typing for days arguing with myself. What I have done is created a list, ranking the top 10 NBA players to ever play this game we love. 

10. Allen Iverson

Career Stats: 26 pts, 4 rebs, 6 ast

Known as the "The Answer" Allen Iverson was the rebel of the league. The former Georgetown guard and Virginia native was the 1st overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers where he stamped himself early as a rising star in the NBA. Iverson won rookie of the year highlighting that season with his famous crossover on Michael Jordan. That crossover became a staple for Iverson and many have fell victim to it. Iverson was electrifying, the 6ft guard was must see tv every time he stepped foot on the court. Iverson was an 11-time NBA All Star and a 2-time All-Star game MVP in 2001 and 2005. Iverson was one of the best scorers in NBA history, which wasn't common for a person at his size. He was a 4-time NBA scoring champion winning that award averaging around 30 points per game for those 4 seasons. If you look up the saying "heart over height" you'll see a picture of Iverson next to it. He never let his size stop him from accomplishing his goals and be successful in the sport of basketball. Iverson was never able to capture a title, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 finals. But his impact on the league was second to none. If you or your favorite athlete was ever wearing braids and baggy shorts he was the reason. Clocking him in at the 10 spot on this list. 

9. Tim Duncan 

Career Stats: 19 pts, 11 rebs, 3 ast 

The Big Fundamental stamped himself as possibly the greatest power forward to ever grace the game of basketball. The 6ft11 forward wasn't always the basketball phenom that he turned out to be. Growing up in the Virgin Islands Duncan's first passion was swimming. He didn't start getting into basketball seriously until he was a teen. To develop a skillset like his and to have a late start in doing it unlike his peers is truly amazing. The Wake Forest forward was the 1st overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Duncan is one of the rare group of players that spent their whole career on one franchise. Duncan spent 19 seasons with the Spurs accomplishing a numerous amount of things. Duncan was a 15-time NBA All-Star and was a 2-time NBA MVP. Hold on there's more. He was also a 5-time NBA champion, 3-time NBA finalist MVP, and the only player ever to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons. Can you say first ballot hall of fame. Duncan's game wasn't flashy, but it was a work of art. He mastered the basics hence the nickname. With a career like that it would be hard for anybody to leave him off any list. 

8. Larry Bird 

Career Stats: 24 pts, 10 rebs, 6 ast 

The legend, need I say more. That nickname just doesn't get tossed around to anybody, Larry Bird is that, and a lot more. Larry Bird is one of the most pivotal players to ever play in the NBA. From his storybook battles with Magic Johnson and the Lakers to his all time great performance in the 3pt contest. Larry Bird has created memories on the basketball court that will last forever. The forward from Indiana State is another one of those rare players that spent an entire career with one franchise. Bird was drafted 6th by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft. Larry Bird is one of the most purest shooters the game has seen. Standing at 6ft9 with a shot that starts over his head it's almost impossible to block. Larry Bird is mostly know for his battles with Magic Johnson which was one of the greatest rivals in NBA history. Larry is a 3-time NBA champion and out of those three he won finals MVP twice. Talk about consistency at such a high level. Bird also won league MVP three consecutive years making him the only forward in NBA history to do that. Bird was one of the pioneers that made the sport as famous as it is today. With that being said that still only locks him in at the 8th spot on this list. 

7. Shaquille O'Neal 

Career Stats: 24 pts, 11 rebs, 2 ast 

The most dominant player ever, you got that right. Shaq was a force to be reckoned with as soon as he stepped into the NBA. The 7ft1 powerhouse from LSU was a once in a lifetime talent. The agility mixed with power that he played with at the size showed the new evolution of athletes. Shaq was the first of his kind and he showed it. O'Neal was the 1st pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic. Could you imagine seeing him going any other number than 1st? Yeah, me either. Shaq was pretty successful his first few years in Orlando winning rookie of the year his first season. But it's when he ended up in Los Angeles when everything changed. He teamed up with another player we have yet to mention and created a dynasty in LA. Shaq is a 4-time NBA champion and of those championships he was awarded finals MVP three times. We all know that Shaq was a terrible free throw shooter, couldn't throw a rock in the ocean. But the way he dominated the game on both ends of the court was more than enough to put him in the debate of best center in NBA history. 

6. LeBron James 

Career Stats: 27 pts, 7 rebs, 7 ast 

Now I know LeBron not being in the top 5 of this list is going to give me some flack, but hear me out l still have some greats left. Even though LeBron's career isn't finished he has already put himself in the class as one of the greats. LeBron has been dominate ever since he stepped in the league. From a18 year old kid to a 18 year vet LeBron continues to show why he has been the best in league for the last decade. LeBron is a 4-time NBA champion, 4-time finals MVP, and a 4-time league MVP. It's scary to see that LeBron is only getting better and he's already 36yrs old. In a sport where when you go up in age your stats tend to go down your body isn't the same. They say father time is undefeated but I think he has lost one to LeBron. Right now LeBron has the chance to be the all time point scorer in NBA history. If he accomplishes that milestone it will be very hard to not look at him as the greatest ever. I think people take LeBron for granted and it shows. I need for people to sit back relax and continue to witness greatness because we will never see a player like him again. 

5. Magic Johnson 

Career Stats: 19 pts, 7 rebs, 11 ast 

The magic man, Mr. Showtime himself Magic Johnson is a true pioneer for the game of basketball. Magic was a rare player for his time he is the reason we have tall point guards in the game today. The 6ft9 point guard from Michigan State was a true magician with the basketball. His ability to pass the ball was a thing of beauty he could create something out of nothing. One thing about Magic he is a winner, he won in college and it carried over to the NBA. Magic Johnson is a 5-time NBA champion and a 3-time finals MVP. One of those finals ended with a hook shot against the Boson Celtics to win the game, creating one of the best moments in NBA history. Magic made being a basketball marketable. He can easily be placed on basketball's Mount Rushmore, how he has transcended the game is second to none. 

4. Wilt Chamberlin 

Career Stats: 30 pts, 23 rebs, 4 ast 

Wilt The Stilt, where do we even start there is so much that can be said. Wilt Chamberlin is apart of basketball royalty. You talk about changing the way the game of basketball is played. They literally made rules to stop this man from being so great. The things that Wilt did in his career would even be hard to do in a video game. Wilt had a season where he averaged 50 points which is unheard of. During the prime of Wilt's career he never averaged anything under 24 points. He even had the night that will go down as the greatest single scoring game ever, with scoring 100 points in a single game. On top of all of his amazing seasons he managed to get two NBA championships on that road. Now a lot of people tend to think its a myth because there is not real record of the game and their's nobody that can confirm it. To me that just adds to the greatness of this legend. Wilt is  basketball's Mt. Rushmore and nobody can tell me any different. Giving him the 4 spot on this list. 

3. Bill Russell 

Career Stats: 15 pts, 22 rebs, 4 ast 

When you talk about Bill Russell you can't say anything that doesn't involving winning. Bill Russell has the most championships by a single player in NBA history with 11. Now think to yourself how great you would have to be that successful for that long. The 6ft10 center from the University of San Francisco was ahead of his time. Bill Russell spent his whole career with the Boston Celtics and as I mentioned before it was pretty much a perfect one. On top of the 11 championships he also was a 5-time league MVP. Bill Russell is also apart of basketball's Mt. Rushmore. Bill Russell doesn't get the respect he deserves as a great. He is wildly overlooked in a lot of lists when it comes down to ranking these great players. What he was able to accomplish as a player speaks volumes. He won't be getting overlooked today, Bill Russell is top 3 in my book. 

2. Kobe Bryant 

Career Stats: 25 pts, 5 rebs, 5 ast 

What can i say about Kobe that hasn't already been said. Kobe is everybody's favorite player. When you were a kid playing in the backyard with the imaginary shot clock yelling "Kobe!" as you shoot the fadeaway it didn't get any better than that. We all know how great of a player Kobe was. His will to win was  unmatched. Kobe was crowned the greatest player to ever put on the purple and gold. Kobe not only impacted basketball culture, but he also impacted all of sports culture. I grew up watching Kobe so I know the impact he had on me and other kids like me that use to watch those Laker teams. Kobe was a 5-time NBA champion and a 2-time finals MVP. He finished 4th on the all time scoring list with over 33,000 points. Kobe was an inspiration to all athletes around the world. His untimely passing really shook us all in a bad way. His name and his career will forever live on. Memories he created on and off the court will never be forgotten. Mamba out!

1. Michael Jordan 

Career Stats: 30 pts, 6 rebs, 5 ast 

Michael Jordan is the greatest to ever pick up a ball. You really want to know what greatness is? Try winning three championships in a row leaving to go play another sport then come back and win another three. Michael Jordan never left a NBA finals series without leaving with the hardware, he is a perfect 6 for 6. In all of those six finals he was finals MVP each time. Jordan was equally dominate defensively as he was offensively, winning defensive player of the year along with 5 MVPs. Michael Jordan is number one on a lot lists and for good reason. Nobody from the guard position dominated the game the way he did. He finished fifth in all time scoring and what makes that so impressive is that he took two years off. His passion for winning was something of an obsession. His legacy will be stamped as the GOAT and will stay that way.