NBA Greats
The NBA is the name given to the professional basketball league in North America, and is generally regarded as the best men's professional basketball league in the world. It was founded in 1946 in New York, and was then known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). When the rival National Basketball League was absorbed by the BAA, however, the league switched to its current name.
NBA fans over the years have been lucky enough to witness some of the most talented sportsmen from around the world take their place on the North American courts.
LeBron James is currently the undisputed Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NBA and arguably the greatest player of all time.
LeBron James was the first draft pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. While at the Cleveland Cavaliers, James achieved individual success but could not lead his side to a championship win. In acrimonious circumstances, LeBron left the Cavaliers to join the star studded Miami Heat in 2010, and the move paid dividends for his career.
With the Heat he has captured two NBA Championships, while individually he has been named MVP four times in his career. His point average of 28.1 Points Per Game (PPG) is second only to Michael Jordan. Still only 28-years-old, James has a good ten years left in basketball and it would be foolhardy to think that he won't add to his already impressive list of accolades.
Magic Johnson and his LA Lakers were the Kings of the court in the 1980s. Alongside the free scoring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson was pivotal in the Lakers' five NBA Championship titles. With a point average of 19.5 PPG he wasn't the most industrious scorer but his average of 12.3 assists PPG is the greatest in NBA history. Along with his five NBA titles, Magic Johnson has three MVP rings.
Usually it is offensive players who get the billing as great NBA stars, but when you defend as well as Bill Russell it's nigh on impossible to be overlooked. The hulking Boston Celtic defender helped his side win a record 11 NBA Championships. There is no player who can compare to Russell's shot-blocking ability or man-to-man defence, whilst scoring-wise he was also handy. The 6-foot-9 star proved to be a dab hand at rebound shots and is just one of two NBA players to have grabbed more than 50 rebounds in a game.
His career reads 11 NBA Championships and five NBA rings.
If LeBron James is to be the greatest player ever, he will have to overcome Michael Jordan. MJ and his Chicago Bulls were the dominant force during the 1990s, but his greatest ever season came before any of his six NBA Championships. In 1988 MJ won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and the NBA scoring title! With a 33.4 PPG it isn't hard to see why Chicago dominated the NBA. Alongside his six NBA Championships, Jordan amassed five MVP Rings and currently goes down in history as the greatest NBA player of all time.
For all the latest NBA Betting Tips then please visit betting.betfair