2015-16 NBA schedule: Top 50 games

SI.com's Ben Golliver picks his top 50 games to watch during the 2015–16 NBA season. (Spoiler alert: It's a lot of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis.)

Ben Golliver | Aug 12, 2015

2015-16 NBA schedule: Top 50 games /

Start making plans. The NBA officially unveiled its 2015–16 schedule on Wednesday.

Here's a full rundown of 50 games to circle on your calendar between opening night (Tuesday, Oct. 27) and the final day of the regular season (Wednesday, April 13) with a focus on rivalries, returns, marquee matchups, holiday games and more. All 30 teams are included. Spoiler alert: LeBron James’s Cavaliers and Stephen Curry’s Warriors are featured prominently.

1. Oct. 27: Cavaliers at Bulls on opening night

The 2015–16 season tips off with one of the league’s best rivalries: Cleveland vs. Chicago. After an entertaining second-round playoff series that saw Derrick Rose and LeBron James swap game-winners, these Central Division powers will waste no time reopening the blood feud. Is there really a better “Welcome to the NBA” moment for Chicago’s first-time head coach Fred Hoiberg than trying to stop James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving on opening night?

2. Oct. 27: Pelicans at Warriors on opening night

Golden State will tip off its title defense with a rematch of its entertaining, but ultimately one-sided, first-round playoff series with New Orleans. Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis will take center stage, but don’t overlook new Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who will square off against his former boss with the Suns, Steve Kerr.

• MORE NBA: Pelicans to pick up pace | Davis on SI.com's Dream Team

3. Oct. 27: Pistons at Hawks on opening night

The Tuesday night undercard game features Atlanta, which broke out of decades of mediocrity to claim the East’s top seed last year, and Detroit, who is looking to shake off six straight years of sub-mediocrity. While this isn’t necessarily the sexiest matchup, Stan Van Gundy’s renovated roster, led by Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, will get a high-profile opportunity to announce its playoff intentions.

4. Oct. 28: Thunder’s Kevin Durant welcomes rival Spurs for home opener

Thunder fans have been waiting since just after the All-Star break to see Kevin Durant, who underwent three foot surgeries last season and had to watch the playoffs from his couch. That patience will be rewarded with an excellent home opener against the Spurs, who eliminated them in the 2014 Western Conference finals, ending Durant’s MVP season. At USA Basketball this week, Durant looked and sounded refreshed at USA Basketball camp this week, and he is in for a nice reception from the Chesapeake Energy Arena crowd during this one.

5. Oct. 28: Lakers’ Kobe Bryant returns in battle of top two picks

The Lakers are stuck in a frustrating déjà vu: Kobe Bryant has suffered three straight season-ending injuries and the front office has largely struck out in free agency for two straight summers. In all likelihood, the volume losing will continue in 2015-16, as Bryant’s remade supporting cast is low on star power and high on inexperience. Still, L.A.’s season opener will be appointment viewing. Bryant, who hasn’t taken the court since late January, may be entering his final season and this game also features a showdown between the top two picks in the NBA draft, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and L.A.’s D'Angelo Russell.

• MORE NBA: Young Lakers find themselves in tricky spot with need to win

6. Oct. 29: Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony makes MSG return against Hawks

The tank worked! Sort of. An abysmal Knicks season that featured numerous trades and a mid-season shutdown of Carmelo Anthony landed Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 4 pick in the draft. While that’s not an immediate franchise-changing addition, it does represent a step in the right direction. Anthony, who hasn’t played since he jogged up and down in the All-Star Game, will usher the latest era of Knicks basketball into Madison Square Garden against Atlanta, as he looks to put his most recent knee surgery behind him.

7. Oct. 29: Pacers’ Paul George makes home debut versus Grizzlies

If you blinked, you might have missed Paul George’s end-of-season return for the Pacers. The two-time All-Star played just 91 minutes in six games as Indiana’s playoff push fell just short. With another six months to build his strength and confidence after a devastating leg injury suffered at USA Basketball camp last summer, George should be much closer to 100% when Indiana opens its home schedule against Memphis. Of course, George and Pacers fans will need some time to adjust to the departures of Roy Hibbert and David West and the arrival of Monta Ellis.

8. Oct. 29: Mavericks visit L.A. for showdown with DeAndre Jordan’s Clippers

Go ahead and start stretching your Twitter fingers and loading up your emoji weapons. The first matchup between DeAndre Jordan’s two free agency suitors—the Clippers and Mavericks—will take place in L.A. on TNT. Tougher days are on the horizon for Jordan, who will surely enjoy the benefit of a friendly and forgiving home crowd.

9.Oct. 30: Cavaliers’ LeBron James plays host to former team

A busy opening week for the Cavaliers continues in a nationally-televised game against the Heat, LeBron James’s former South Beach brethren. Miami’s step back into the lottery last season might remove a little bit of luster from this early-season game, but a win might help give life to the franchise’s goal of returning to the tier of East contenders.

10. Nov. 3: Rookie point guards share court when Lakers host Nuggets

No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell and No. 7 pick Emmanuel Mudiay headline this contest between two of the West’s weaker teams. Will this wind up being a study in contrasts? Mudiay was given the car keys by Nuggets management, who traded away Ty Lawson this summer. Russell, meanwhile, must fend off Jordan Clarkson for minutes while spreading the ball around a number of shoot-first veterans like Kobe Bryant, Nick Young and Lou Williams.

11. Nov. 6: Pistons’ Marcus Morris heads back to the desert

All NBA break-ups aren’t created equal: it obviously hurts more when stars leave. These days, though, most big names are savvy enough to handle themselves with the utmost dignity on the way out the door. That’s not exactly what’s happened in the case of Phoenix and Marcus Morris, who was understandably upset about being traded away from his twin brother, Markieff. Rather than toeing the line publicly, Marcus Morris has aired out his grievances repeatedly, including calling out Suns fans, while Markieff demanded a trade on Wednesday. We’ll see how they respond in early November.

12. Nov. 7: Clippers host Rockets in playoff rematch

Go ahead and call this Hell Week for the Clippers, which must exorcise the demons of their postseason choke job against James Harden’s Rockets before moving on to Jordan’s Texas soap opera four days later.

13. Nov. 11: Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan makes first trip to Dallas

After a regrettable off-season U-turn that saw him commit to the Mavericks and then de-commit days later, DeAndre Jordan knows he will have to grin and bear some abuse during the Clippers’ first trip to Dallas. The boos will rain down in the American Airlines Center with a frog-strangler’s force, and Mavericks fans should embrace the moment by breaking out the flip flops, waffle iron posters and John Kerry Fatheads.

14. Nov. 11: Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland

During a summer in which most of the biggest stars re-signed with their incumbent teams, LaMarcus Aldridge was the highest-profile player to change zip codes, going from Portland to San Antonio. During his nine years with the Blazers, Aldridge established himself as a dependable lead scoring option and a workhorse who assumed greater responsibilities when the likes of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden were lost to injury.

Despite the predictable acrimony that surrounded his departure, Aldridge deserves to be welcomed back to the Moda Center with a standing ovation. He ranks No. 2 in points and No. 1 in rebounds in team history and helped restore credibility and stability to a franchise that was wavering. This is San Antonio’s only visit to Portland during the 2015–16 season, so hopefully Gregg Popovich doesn’t rest Aldridge for strategic purposes.

lamarcus-aldridge-san-antonio-spurs-portland-blazers-nba-schedule.jpg — D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images

15. Nov. 12: Heat, Jazz show off breakout bigs

The 2014–15 season saw two off-the-radar big men break out big time: Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Heat center Hassan Whiteside. While Gobert emerged down the stretch as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Whiteside’s path wound up being a little rockier, as he mixed some prodigious rebounding efforts with immature behavior. The two players have yet to face off in the NBA, which will hopefully change come mid-November.

• MORE NBA: Commitment to player development at heart of Jazz's rise

16. Nov. 18: Thunder host Pelicans in first of three meetings

The race between Oklahoma City and New Orleans for the West’s No. 8 seed was a sight to behold last season, and the Pelicans didn’t claim their postseason berth until the last night of the season. If not for an Anthony Davis buzzer beater against Oklahoma City earlier in the season, the Thunder would have squeaked into playoffs. The stakes don’t get much higher than that and, really, any game with Davis, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook is must-see TV at this point. Circle every Thunder/Pelicans game in bright red marker just to be safe.

17. Nov. 21: Cavaliers host Hawks in East finals rematch

The first of three matchups between the 2015 Eastern Conference finalists, the Cavaliers and Hawks will meet just before Thanksgiving. Atlanta capped a bitter sweep complaining about Matthew Dellavedova’s tactics. Don’t think for a moment that Delly has forgotten about their accusations.

18. Nov. 23: Timberwolves, Sixers show off top draft picks

Although the Timberwolves will face the Lakers in an opening week game that pits the top two picks against each other, this one might be more meaningful and intriguing. For months, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor were viewed as the top two prospects in this year’s draft, before Okafor slipped to No. 3 on draft night. Minnesota will play host to the first professional showdown between the Kentucky and Duke products.

19. Dec. 4: Knicks host Nets in first game of Subway Series

So far, the Nets’ move to Brooklyn has been a bust when it comes to generating lasting animosity with the Knicks. Both teams have been dull or bad, or both, and that is unlikely to change this season. However, if you’re a fan of twins, or specifically of 7-foot tall Disney-obsessed twins, then you’re in luck, as Robin (New York) and Brook (Brooklyn) Lopez will go head-to-head at Madison Square Garden in early December.

20. Dec. 4: Pistons welcome back Bucks’ Greg Monroe

No need to stop the presses. This isn’t exactly DeAndre Jordan goes to Dallas or LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland, but this game will mark Greg Monroe’s first visit back to Auburn Hills after signing with Milwaukee as a free agent this summer. The man they call Moose spent five years with the Pistons and has zero playoff appearances, one cloudy contract situation and one DUI arrest/awkward urination situation to show for it. At least Milwaukee appears to be a greener pasture.

21. Dec. 4: LeBron James, Anthony Davis share the court

Let’s be honest: you’re not going to be watching Knicks/Nets or Pistons/Bucks when Anthony Davis’s Pelicans are hosting LeBron James’s Cavaliers. Will coach Alvin Gentry’s new high-octane offense be enough to keep pace with a Cleveland attack that should be even more refined and potent than last year?

• MORE NBA: LeBron attends USA minicamp, remains undecided about Rio

22. Dec. 13: Raptors, Sixers square off in Drake Bowl

In search of new and creative ways to intentionally put a losing product on the court, Sixers GM Sam Hinkie must sign rapper Meek Mill for Philadelphia’s first trip to Toronto, where Raptors global ambassador Drake will surely welcome him with open arms and harsh bars.

• MORE NBA: Raptors unveil four Drake-inspired uniforms for next season

23. Dec. 16: Restored Thunder welcome rebuilding Blazers

Portland snatched the Northwest Division title from Oklahoma City last season, thanks in large part to Kevin Durant’s ongoing foot problems. The tables appear to have turned back to normal this season, with Durant healthy and LaMarcus Aldridge now in San Antonio. In the chaos of last season, Russell Westbrook enjoyed a number of memorable performances against the Blazers, including two 40-point games and a triple double. This year, it will be Damian Lillard’s turn to attempt a one-man army approach.

24. Dec. 17: LeBron James and Kevin Durant go head-to-head

The Cavaliers will play host to the Thunder in mid-December, setting up a nice head-to-head match-up between two title contenders and (arguably) the top two players in the game—LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Although Durant did play in both of Oklahoma City’s games against Cleveland last season, neither performance was a signature effort. This would be a statement road win for the Thunder in a game that will be carried on TNT.

Next page: Games 25–50

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25. Dec. 21: Suns, Jazz open four-game season series

Utah and Phoenix missed out on the playoffs after making things somewhat interesting last season, and the teams have pursued very different roster-building strategies in hopes of getting over the hump. The Jazz have looked to build from within by letting youngsters Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert develop, while the Suns have executed a cycle of trades and signings that have landed Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight. Which method will prove more effective in 2015-16?

• MORE NBA: Suns stay flexible, keep options open during free agency

26. Dec. 23: Mavericks’ Deron Williams makes Brooklyn return

Deron Williams’s three-plus years with the Nets will go down as a colossal disappointment considering the expectations that accompanied his arrival, max contract signing and the borderline crazy financial investments made by owner Mikhail Prokhorov. Now, as Brooklyn officially enters the teardown, Williams will return to the Barclays Center on a slapped-together Mavericks team that looks like it is headed nowhere fast, in very Nets-like fashion. Will anyone bother to show up and boo him?

27. Dec. 25: Pelicans at Heat on Christmas Day

The NBA’s master plan to cram Anthony Davis down your throat continues in a Christmas Day opener against Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. The real intrigue here might come from how Hassan Whiteside, the Heat’s mercurial center, holds up against Davis on such a large stage.

28. Dec. 25: Bulls at Thunder

Two would-be title contenders. Two first-time NBA coaches called up from the college ranks (Fred Hoiberg and Billy Donovan). A long list of All-Star talent including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler. A hyped-up crowd. This isn’t a traditional rivalry, but it’s plenty enticing.

29. Dec. 25: Cavaliers at Warriors

Golden State and Cleveland played an entertaining Finals, even though Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving weren’t in the mix when the series was decided. Given that the Warriors and Cavaliers managed to retain their key pieces this summer (pending a resolution to the Tristan Thompson saga), it wouldn’t be shocking if these teams squared off in a Finals rematch come June. Before that can happen, they will take the Oracle Arnea court as the centerpiece of the NBA’s Christmas Day slate.

Dec. 25: Spurs at Rockets

Gregg Popovich probably let out a groan and immediately cracked open a wine bottle when he realized the Spurs were scheduled for a road game on Christmas against the Rockets, which are shaping up to be one of the West’s best teams after a conference finals trip last season. Texas’s top two squads will battle for bragging rights as newcomers LaMarcus Aldridge and Ty Lawson look to leave their marks on the intrastate rivalry.

31. Dec. 25: Clippers at Lakers

Last year, the Clippers swept the Lakers 4–0 and won by an average of 16.3 points. Expect another turkey roasting to cap off the Christmas Day quintuple-header. At least Kobe Bryant and company will be able to spend the morning at home with their families.

32. Dec. 30: Clippers’ Lance Stephenson returns to Charlotte

There’s a decent chance that everyone will have agreed by late-December that the Lance Stephenson Era in Charlotte never actually took place. Either way, the Clippers’ latest acquisition will make his only return to North Carolina after an extraordinarily disappointing and inefficient season. A 75-year-old Michael Jordan could post a higher PER and three-point percentage than Stephenson did in 2014–15. Hopefully this year will be a little better.

33. Jan. 2: Timberwolves, Bucks rumble in matchup of top sophomores

Unfortunately, 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota) and No. 2 pick Jabari Parker (Milwaukee) only shared the court once last season, before Parker went down with a season-ending knee injury. It’s not yet clear when exactly Parker will return to the court, but the Timberwolves and Bucks won’t square off until early-January, which should give him enough time to get healthy for this highly-anticipated sophomore showdown.

• MORE NBA: Parker among non-Summer League players set to breakout

34. Jan. 5: Kings’ Rajon Rondo returns to Dallas

The American Airlines Center crowd didn’t quite get its money’s worth with Rajon Rondo, as the enigmatic point guard was sent packing from a first-round playoff series against the Rockets before he got the chance to take the home court. Upset over God knows what, Rondo raced out of the locker room and never looked back. Rather than chasing down his point guard, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle responded by happily moving Raymond Felton into a larger role, which really says it all. After signing a one-year deal with the bottom-feeding Kings, Rondo could be headed for a lion’s den when he makes his Dallas return.

35. Jan. 14: Magic “host” Raptors in London

The NBA’s Global Games series hits London’s O2 Arena for this mid-January classic between the Raptors and the Magic. Or something. Londoners are forgiven if they are feeling a little short-changed on the star power. The good news is that Kyle “Hashtag NBA Ballot” Lowry should be gunning on all cylinders during the middle of another All-Star push.

36. Jan. 18: MLK Day slate opens with Pelicans at Grizzlies

The NBA has clearly made Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a priority this year, a quadruple-header on the holiday. The Pelicans and Grizzlies open the slate in Memphis, home of the National Civil Rights Museum. Yet another big stage for Anthony Davis.

37. Jan. 18: Hawks host Magic on MLK Day

It’s reasonable to believe that this could be the year that Orlando turns the corner in its long-term rebuilding effort, and a nationally-televised holiday matchup against Atlanta should make for a good measuring stick. New coach Scott Skiles will hope that a young, talented core consisting of Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon and rookie Mario Hezonja can jell into a competitive outfit.

• MORE NBA: Skiles Q&A on time away from NBA and Magic's young core

38. Jan. 18: Warriors visit Cavaliers on MLK Day

The NBA clearly sought to get maximum mileage out of its 2015 Finals matchup by slating both 2015–16 games between the Cavaliers and Warriors on holidays. Round 1 is set for Oakland on Christmas Day. Round 2 will take place on MLK Day, as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and friends will travel to Cleveland, where they closed out LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 6 last June.

• MORE NBA: Warriors' title package: Commemorative book | Curry has it all

39. Jan. 18: Clippers host Rockets rematch on MLK Day

The MLK Day quadruple-header closes with another playoff rematch. Just don’t remind the Clippers, which gagged away a 3–1 series lead over the Rockets to miss out on a trip to the Western Conference finals. As if the collective presence of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, James Harden and Dwight Howard wasn’t enough to get the juices flowing, Josh Smith added another layer to this matchup by leaving Houston to sign with L.A. this summer.

40. Jan 23: Cavaliers host Bulls to start ABC’s Saturday night slate

In a new twist this season, ABC is splitting its coverage between Saturdays and Sundays, with eight games on each weekend day spread out over the last few months of the regular season. The new Saturday slate opens with a guaranteed ratings darling, as the Cavaliers play host to the Bulls at 8:30 p.m. ET. Friendly note for Cavaliers coach David Blatt: the schedule change will not impact how many timeouts each team gets during the course of a game.

41. Jan. 25: Warriors host Spurs for first of four games

On paper, the Warriors and Spurs look like the West’s top two teams. On the court, they won’t get the chance to one-up each other until late-January. The other three contests between the teams are set for the final month of the season.

42. Jan. 30: Spurs visit Cavaliers on Saturday night

The second edition of ABC’s Saturday night programming features LeBron James and the Spurs, his old foes. This matchup isn’t only about reliving James’s three Finals appearances against San Antonio, as Kyrie Irving proved last March, when he scorched the nets for 57 points in a dramatic overtime win.

43. Feb. 6: Pelicans host Cavaliers

LeBron James. Anthony Davis. Round Two. Smoothie King Center.

44. Feb. 19: Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins faces old coach

Kings coach George Karl can breathe a sigh of relief: he won’t need to see his franchise center, DeMarcus Cousins, hugging Nuggets coach Michael Malone until after the All-Star break. Sacramento will host Denver in what will be Malone’s first game against his former club. Absence should make the heart grow fonder for Cousins, who made no secret of his affection for his former coach Malone during Las Vegas Summer League.

• MORE NBA: Malone Q&A on Nuggets' future, Mudiay and Kings' firing

45. Feb. 21: Thunder host Cavaliers on Sunday

Round 2 between LeBron James and Kevin Durant will take place during ABC’s prominent Sunday afternoon time slot shortly after the week-long All-Star break.

46. Feb. 22: Hawks and Warriors as reigning No. 1 seeds clash

Atlanta and Golden State played some incredibly futuristic basketball in a memorable showdown last February, with the Hawks claiming a nice home win in a high-scoring affair. This off-season saw the Hawks lose DeMarre Carroll and the Warriors dropDavid Lee, but both teams enter the season with high hopes. Let the scoring begin.

47. Mar. 4: Wizards complete season series with Cavaliers in Cleveland

It’s easy to forget just how close the Wizards were to upsetting the Hawks and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers. Yes, Paul Pierce is gone, but John Wall and Bradley Beal still form one of the league’s best young backcourts. Washington and Cleveland will square off four times in the regular season, and this Friday night ESPN game should make for a good playoff warmup.

• MORE NBA: Wizards' Otto Porter Jr. tops players with biggest shoes to fill

48. Mar. 25: Spurs host Grizzlies in Southwest showdown

The Spurs and Grizzlies have played more than their fair share of important games over the last few years, including a triple-overtime classic last December. The Southwest Division rivals square off twice in four days in late March, and that pair of head-to-head games could easily have major playoff implications.

49. April 1: Celtics visit Warriors on April Fool’s Day

Despite making the playoffs last season, Boston doesn’t get a ton of national television love this season. Their final ESPN appearance, an April 1 game against the defending champion Warriors, might be the juiciest, even if it comes in the middle of a rough late-season, five-game road trip against Western Conference teams. Not only does this game promise a matchup of two well-regarded young coaches in Steve Kerr and Brad Stevens, it represents Boston trade acquisition David Lee’s only trip back to Oracle Arena in 2015–16.

50. April 13: Jazz at Lakers in season finale

If Kobe Bryant can hold up for the duration of the season, something he wasn’t able to do in 2013–14 and 2014–15, this season-ender against the Jazz could mark the final game of his 20-year Lakers career. To be clear, Bryant hasn’t definitively said he plans to retire after the season, although he is in the final year of his contract and will turn 37 later this month.

GALLERY: Best players ever by jersey number

Best NBA Players by Jersey Number

00 — Robert Parish

Best known as the defensive anchor of the Larry Bird-led Celtics teams of the 80s, Parish was also outstanding on the offensive side of the ball, a smooth jump shooter who hit at a nearly 54% clip from the floor in his 21-year career and averaged 14.5 points. A four-time NBA champion and nine-time All-Star, Parish’s athletic ability and utility on both ends as a 7-foot center foreshadowed the direction in which his position would head decades later.

0 — Russell Westbrook

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

The best may still be to come for Westbrook, Oklahoma City’s dynamic point guard who continues to reshape his position and push the limits after a career season in 2014-15. At 26, Westbrook averaged 28.1 points, 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds, single-handedly carrying the Thunder when they needed it most. With Kevin Durant returning to the fold, Westbrook’s numbers may dip, but his efficiency could improve accordingly. His all-around game gives him the nod over Arenas. — Runner-up: Gilbert Arenas

1 — Oscar Robertson

Everyone knows the Big O is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. What’s lost is the specific stats from Robertson’s most incredible year, in which he posted nightly figures of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists at age 23, just his second season in the league. — Runner-up: Tracy McGrady

2 — Moses Malone

Malone was a statistical behemoth, averaging a double-double as a rookie and never looking back while making several stops around the NBA. A three-time MVP, Malone peaked as a Rocket with a 31.1 point, 14.7 rebound campaign in 1982, the year before signing with the Sixers and subsequently leading them to the ‘83 title as Finals MVP.

3 — Dwyane Wade

Before Wade annually sat out half of each season to rest and nurse injuries, “Flash” was one of the most electric players in the league. It takes a special player to lead an NBA franchise to its first championship in just his third season. Wade also played at an MVP level over the course of his 2008-09 campaign. — Runner-up: Allen Iverson

4 — Adrian Dantley

Dantley was one of the league’s most explosive scorers for a long time, making six All-Star games and stringing together four straight 30-plus point-per-game seasons in the early ‘80s, twice leading the league in scoring. Though he almost never shot three-pointers, Dantley finished his career with an average of 24.3 points per game on 54% shooting, working creatively to get buckets from the midrange and around the rim. — Runners-up: Joe Dumars, Dolph Schayes

5 — Kevin Garnett

Damian Strohmeyer for Sports Illustrated

Anything was possible for defenses anchored by Garnett in his prime. One of the greatest prep-to-pro cases of all time and a perennial All-Star and All-NBA selection, Garnett transcended the game with his intensity and antics. Whether getting on all fours to bark like a dog or banging his head against the stanchion, KG always made his presence felt. — Runner-up: Jason Kidd

6 — Bill Russell

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated

Though another No. 6 continues to make his case in Cleveland, Bill Russell’s 11 championship rings in 13 seasons are impossible for all but the most irrational to argue against. No athlete in the history of major team sports has ever sustained individual dominance and team success quite like Russell, who retired at age 34 before transitioning into coaching and leading Boston to two more titles––like clockwork. — Runner-up: LeBron James

7 — Pete Maravich

One of the NBA’s greatest scorers and the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, “Pistol Pete” put up points in style. Ever the showman, Maravich brought a streetball-style game to the NBA. His flashiness helped build basketball’s popularity in the city of New Orleans before the Jazz moved to Utah. — Runners-up: Kevin Johnson, Carmelo Anthony

8 — Kobe Bryant

Younger basketball fans may not remember Kobe Bean donning No. 8 early in his career, but the results were prolific, peaking in 2005-06 when he averaged 35.4 points per game. Before there was No. 24 Kobe, the older and wiser Mamba we now know, there was the dynamic slasher who won three titles alongside Shaquille O’Neal, demanded the ball just as much, and demolished defenses in the process.

9 — Bob Pettit

The St. Louis Hawks were the only team to defeat the Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics in an NBA Finals series, with Pettit leading St. Louis to the 1958 title. Pettit took home regular season MVP honors in 1955 and 1959 and led the Hawks to four Finals appearances. He was an All-Star in each of his 11 seasons. — Runner-up: Tony Parker

10 — Walt Frazier

Teaming with Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, “Clyde” helped bring the dazzle and New York style to the Knicks, one of the first truly effective dual-point guard combinations and one of the greatest backcourts ever. A two-time NBA champion, Frazier now sits as one of the greatest Knicks of all-time and one of the league’s most stylish men, even in retirement. — Runner-up: Tim Hardaway

11 — Isiah Thomas

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Before Thomas’ front office failures, the feisty Chicago product led the “Bad Boy” Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. The 12-time All-Star appeared in every mid-season classic during his career save for his final season in 1993-94. He also piloted Detroit to the playoffs in all but two of his seasons. — Runner-up: Elvin Hayes

12 — John Stockton

A 10-time All-Star and half of perhaps the most prolific guard-post tandem ever, John Stockton remains the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals. He dominated games at a slender 6’1”, with incredible know-how, a hard-nosed approach on both ends and unbelievable consistency all the way until his retirement at age 40. For the definition of a pure point guard, look no further.

13 — Wilt Chamberlain

The Big Dipper, of course, is the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in a single game. Few players have forced the league to change the rules in order to make games fairer for opponents. The NBA had to widen the lane, institute offensive goaltending and amend the inbounding and free throw regulations because of Chamberlain. Beast mode. — Runner-up: Steve Nash

14 — Bob Cousy

An All-Star in every single one of his seasons (save for a seven-game return to boost ticket sales for the Royals, the team he coached, in 1970), Cousy was a six-time NBA champion and the 1957 MVP. He was the man in Boston until the arrival of Bill Russell, with whom he teamed to build the NBA’s first dynasty.

15 — Vince Carter

The reputation of “Vinsanity” for acrobatic dunks doesn’t do his overall game enough justice. Carter currently ranks 30th all-time in career scoring and will likely pass Charles Barkley in 2015-16. His incredible play was key for an upstart Toronto Raptors franchise in the early 2000s. — Runner-up: Hal Greer

16 — Bob Lanier

A force in the middle for the Pistons and Bucks, Lanier retired in 1984 with career averages of 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. A well-rounded post man who was a strong free-throw shooter (76.7%) and in his prime, a shot-blocker, Lanier lived up to his selection as the No. 1 pick in the 1970 draft, playing for 15 strong years and finishing with five consecutive division titles as a Buck. —Runners-up: Pau Gasol, Jerry Lucas, Cliff Hagan

17 — John Havlicek

One of the most well-rounded players ever, Havlicek’s Celtics teams won eight championships in his 13 seasons. Hondo bridged the gap between the Bill Russell era and the Celtics’ successful run into the 1970s. In his prime, Havlicek posted numbers strikingly similar to LeBron James, averaging 28.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game in 1970-71. — Runner-up: Chris Mullin

18 — Dave Cowens

Best known for his all-out approach on every play, Cowens was a stalwart for the Celtics in the ‘70s, winning titles in ‘74 and ‘76 and MVP honors in ‘73, on the back of a 20.5 point, 16.2 rebound campaign. Also a strong passer, Cowens retired averaging 3.8 assists per game to go with 17.6 points and 13.6 boards. An eight-time All-Star, Cowens is one of only four players (including Scottie Pippen, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett) to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals for an entire season.

19 — Willis Reed

The Knicks haven’t won an NBA title since Reed helped clinch the 1973 championship. Reed will forever be remembered for his magical return to Game 7 of the 1970 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, delivering the Knicks’ first title in franchise history. He averaged 23.7 points and 13.8 rebounds per game during the 1970 playoffs. — Runner-up: Don Nelson

20 — Gary Payton

‘The Glove’ earned his nickname thanks to a reputation as the NBA’s toughest defensive point guard, bolstered by nine straight All-Defensive first team selections from 1994-2002. Payton, a nine-time All-Star, was no slouch on the offensive end, either, with a well-rounded game and the ability to create for others and get buckets when needed. One of the iconic players in the history of the Sonics, Payton would hit a huge shot as a member of the Heat in Game 5 of 2006 Finals to help Miami seize the title, his lone championship. —Runner-up: Manu Ginobili

21 — Tim Duncan

As he prepares for his 19th season, it’s hard to argue against Tim Duncan as the greatest player of his generation, bridging the gap between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The four titles and 15 All-Star appearances are incredible on their own. Factor in his unfathomably consistent numbers and Duncan’s resume is one of the greatest all-time. Period. — Runner-up: Dominique Wilkins

22 — Elgin Baylor

One of the NBA’s first high-flyers, Baylor was an unbelievable scorer in the pre three-point era, averaging 38.3 points per game in 1962. The 11-time All-Star appeared in eight NBA Finals but never won a title, retiring due to chronic knee problems in 1972 —a year in which Los Angeles finally won it all (he was given a ring at the end of the season anyway.) He holds the record for points scored in an NBA Finals game, with 61 in Game 5 in 1962. —Runner-up: Clyde Drexler

23 — Michael Jordan

Six championships. Five regular season MVPs. Countless All-NBA and All-NBA defensive selections. The most famous sneaker line in history. Gravity-defying dunk contest victories. The list goes on and on and on and on for the current majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T., friends. — Runner-up: LeBron James

24 — Rick Barry

Beyond pioneering the granny-style free throw, Barry was one of the league’s most dominant scorers of all-time, an eight-time All-Star and the 1975 Finals MVP. He spent four seasons from 1968-1972 playing in the ABA (over which he averaged 30.5 points), which places a hit on his all-time totals, but he retired with NBA averages of 23.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists (and 90% from the foul line). — Runners-up: Bobby Jones, Sam Jones

25 — Mark Price

One of the greatest free throw shooters in NBA history (a 90.4% career mark), Price doesn’t get enough credit for his overall game. A four-time All-Star, Price led the Cleveland Cavaliers for nearly a decade, running an efficient offense and posting a double-double, 16.9 points and 10.4 assists per game in the 1990-91 season. — Runners-up: Gail Goodrich, Doc Rivers

26 — Kyle Korver

One of the league’s top three-point snipers, Korver just completed an incredible All-Star campaign with Atlanta, shooting 49.2% from deep as a key cog in a diverse offense. His acumen from outside gives him the nod here at No. 26.

27 — Jack Twyman

A six-time All-Star, Twyman scorched opponents in the late 1950s and early 1960s, averaging 19.2 points per game during his 11-year career. He hung 31.2 points per game in the 1959-60 season. Twyman trails only Oscar Robertson for most career points in franchise history. The Royals are now the Sacramento Kings. — Runners-up: John Johnson, Joe Caldwell

28 — Arron Afflalo

Afflalo has been a steady, useful two-way player eight seasons into his career, peaking in 2013-14 with Orlando where he put up 18.2 points and shot 42.7% from three. The UCLA product and Compton native also famously inspired a song by rapper Kendrick Lamar. He begins next season as a Knick.

29 — Paul Silas

A two-time All-Star, Paul Silas played in three different decades and won three NBA championships (two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Seattle Supersonics). At just 6’7”, Silas was one of the best rebounders of his era, leading the NBA in offensive boards per game in the 1975-76 season. — Runner-up: Pervis Ellison

30 — Bernard King

A tremendous athlete and gifted scorer, King came into the league averaging 24.2 points per game as a rookie and went on to become one of the most dominant offensive forwards of the ‘80s. A torn ACL in 1985 sidelined him for more than a year, and he was never quite the same—although he put together a strong comeback at the end of his career, with an impressive 28.4 points at age 34 in his second-to-last season. — Runner-up: Stephen Curry

31 — Reggie Miller

For several years, Reggie Miller was the NBA’s all-time leader in career three-pointers drained. Miller still ranks second, only behind Ray Allen. A five-time All-Star, Miller brought it in the postseason as well, most notably his clutch eight points in nine seconds to beat the New York Knicks in 1995. He led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals as well. — Runner-up: Shawn Marion

32 — Magic Johnson

It’s hard to say enough about Magic, who changed perceptions of what a point guard could be, won multiple titles and became one of the NBA’s most engaging personalities all at once. A five-time NBA champ, three-time MVP, nine-time first-team All-NBA and 12-time All-Star, Johnson, with his playoff hardware and impact on the game, edges out Malone for this spot in a tight one. — Runners-up: Karl Malone, Kevin McHale

33 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Clearly one of the greatest players ever, Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer by a mile and played in the second-most games of any player in history behind only Robert Parish. Kareem was an All-Star in 19 of his 20 seasons and claimed six championships. His skyhook will, of course, forever be legendary. — Runners-up: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen

34 — Shaquille O’Neal

Prime Shaq has a case as the most singularly dominant individual player ever, with his blend of power and quickness, soft touch and ability to impose his will on the court. Four titles, three Finals MVPs and 15 All-Star appearances help Shaq’s résumé edge out the competition in one of the more difficult jersey number debates. — Runners-up: Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Ray Allen

35 — Kevin Durant

There’s a reason the entire NBA is holding its collective breath awaiting the 2016 offseason. Durant will be the biggest potential free agent since LeBron James in 2010. He’s a six-time All-Star, a four-time scoring leader and has an MVP to his name. Here’s to hoping he can return seamlessly after three foot surgeries. — Runner-up: Rudy LaRusso

36 — Rasheed Wallace

‘Sheed wore No. 30 for a large portion of his career, too, but he’s by far the most talented to don No. 36 (save for Shaq, briefly — and we aren’t repeating players here). Wallace led Detroit’s ensemble cast to the 2005 title and was a major player in the emergence of the modern stretch-four position. Often controversial, at times transcendent...well, ball don’t lie.

37 — Nick Van Exel

Nick Van Exel never quite found a home in the NBA, but he was far from a journeyman bouncing around from team to team. He played in one All-Star game, having always shown poise running the offense and performing in pick-and-roll sets. He ranks 22nd all-time in career three-pointers made. — Runner-up: Metta World Peace

38 — Viktor Khryapa

Khryapa struggled to find a home in the NBA and was done after four years, but has been a top player back in his native Russia before and after his American stint. He averaged 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds for Portland in his best season.

39 — Jerami Grant

In just one NBA season, Grant posted the best statistical year of any player to don a No. 39 jersey. Grant settled on No. 39 after the Sixers made him the 39th pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He showed tremendous strides in his first season, draining 31.4% of his three-pointers on 156 attempts after hoisting just 20 triples in his two years at Syracuse. — Runner-up: Greg Ostertag

40 — Shawn Kemp

Kemp quickly became one of the NBA’s most exciting players and finished a six-time All-Star, his one-two punch with Gary Payton remaining one of the league’s more iconic pairings. At his best, he was a double-double machine and effective shot-blocker, threat to dunk on his defender and anchor for the Sonics on the way to the ‘96 NBA Finals, where they’d fall to Jordan, Pippen and the Bulls. —Runner-up: Bill Laimbeer

41 — Dirk Nowitzki

Arguably the greatest shooting big man of all-time, Nowitzki cemented his legacy after leading the Mavericks to a come-from-behind championship against the Heat in 2011. Nowitzki claimed the 2006 regular season MVP and has appeared in 13 All-Star Games. — Runners-up: Wes Unseld, Glen Rice

42 — James Worthy

Worthy spent much of his career as the third banana on the Lakers alongside Kareem and Magic, but became an all-time great one in the process, getting his numbers and playing a critical role throughout. He averaged 17.6 points on 52.1% shooting in his 12 years as a Laker and came away a three-time NBA champion and seven-time All-Star. — Runners-up: Elton Brand, Kevin Love, Connie Hawkins

43 — Jack Sikma

At just 23 years old, Sikma helped the Seattle Supersonics claim their only championship in franchise history, averaging 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game in the 1979 postseason. A seven-time All-Star, Sikma ranks 30th all-time in NBA history in career total rebounds. — Runner-up: Brad Daugherty

44 — Jerry West

He’s on the NBA logo and forever etched into its history as a player and executive. Jerry West was a 14-time All-Star and 1972 NBA champion, and lost in the historic romanticism and his efforts in the Lakers’ front office is the fact that he straight up put the ball in the basket. With an average of 27 points per game over 14 seasons, all before the advent of the three point line, West’s transcendence as a player is tough to argue against. — Runner-up: George Gervin

45 — Rudy Tomjanovic

The No. 2 overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft, Rudy Tomjanovic is the third leading scorer in Rockets franchise history behind only Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon. A five-time All-Star, Tomjanovic’s last name was so long, the back of his jersey often read, “Rudy T.” — Runner-up: A.C. Green

46 — Bo Outlaw

A terrific athlete, tough defender and abysmal free-throw shooter, Outlaw carved out a long career for himself despite an uninspiring statistical profile. His game peaked in 1998, with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a win as a member of the Magic. A reporter asked him how he felt about his triple-double, which led to Outlaw’s famous reply: “What’s that? Some kind of hamburger?”

47 — Andrei Kirilenko

In 2001, Kirilenko joined the Jazz after Utah made him the first Russian player drafted in NBA history in 1999. Kirilenko was named an All-Star in 2004 and was a three-time first-team All-Defense selection. Kirilenko was instrumental in Utah’s transition from John Stockton and Karl Malone to the Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer era. — Runner-up: Scott Williams

48 — Nazr Mohammed

A career journeyman, Mohammed had serviceable years earlier in his career before seeing his playing time dwindle with age in Oklahoma City and now Chicago. He won a title in 2005 as a backup with the Spurs but peaked statistically as a Hawk in 2001-02, with 9.1 points and 7.9 boards per game.

49 — Shandon Anderson

Anderson far exceeded expectations throughout his career after being drafted with the 54th pick in the 1996 NBA draft. In his 10-year career, Anderson’s best season came in 1999-2000, when he averaged 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the Rockets. He was a reserve on the Heat’s 2006 championship team. — Runner-up: Mel McCants

50 — David Robinson

The Admiral was an incredible talent whose individual greatness occasionally gets lost because of the team-first nature of the Spurs’ dynasty and Tim Duncan’s sustained quality. Robinson was part of the Spurs’ first two championships (1999 and 2003), teaming with Tim Duncan to lay the groundwork for what was to come. But a young Robinson could carry a team, make no mistake about it: he averaged 29.8 points and 10.7 rebounds in 1994 and averaged 21.1 points for his career. — Runners-up: Steve Mix, Ralph Sampson, Zach Randolph

51 — Reggie King

The 18th overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft, King played four seasons for Kansas City before finishing his career for two years in Seattle. During his second year with the Kings, in 1980-81, King posted his best season, averaging 14.9 points and 9.7 rebounds and shot 54.% from the field. — Runner-up: Lawrence Funderburke

52 — Jamaal Wilkes

Overshadowed by star teammates but statistically impressive, Wilkes was a key player in the Lakers’ incredible run of success. He won Rookie of the Year as part of Golden State’s title team in 176, captured three titles with the “Showtime” Lakers and averaged 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds for his career. There may not be a better metaphor for his career than this: he scored 37 points and 10 rebounds in 1980’s Game 6 to clinch the Finals, which happened to be the same game Magic famously started for Kareem at center and finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.

53 — Artis Gilmore

Still the NCAA’s all-time leader in rebounds per game, Gilmore made five All-Star appearances in the ABA. The Chicago Bulls made Gilmore the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 dispersal draft as part of the NBA-ABA merger. Gilmore appeared in six NBA All-Star games. He is still the NBA’s career leader in field goal percentage at 59.9%. — Runner-up: Darryl Dawkins

54 — Horace Grant

The Bulls drafted Grant five picks after Scottie Pippen in 1987, two moves that would greatly add to the cast around Michael Jordan and lead to Chicago’s first three-peat. Grant left the Bulls after an All-Star season in 1994. He never quite hit that peak again, but Grant was an effective two-way player and would earn another ring with the Lakers in 2001.

55 — Dikembe Mutombo

His full name, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, is almost as long as his stellar 18-year career. Mutombo ranks second all-time in NBA history in career blocks, was an eight-time All-Star and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors four times. He reached the playoffs in 13 seasons. — Runner-up: Kiki Vandeweghe

56 — Francisco Elson

Hailing from the Netherlands, Elson was a second-round pick who would never make a major impact at the NBA level. He did start 54 games for Denver in 2006 and gain some fame for scuffling with Kevin Garnett in the playoffs that year. He won a title with San Antonio in 2007, starting 41 games that season.

57 — Hilton Armstrong

The UConn product and 12th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, Armstrong is the only player in NBA history to have worn #57. Armstrong donned the number in the 2013-14 season, in which he appeared in 15 games for the Golden State Warriors. Armstrong’s best year came in 2008-09, when he averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds for the New Orleans Hornets.

61 — Bevo Nordmann

After the Cincinnati Royals selected him with the second pick in the third round of the 1961 NBA draft, Nordmann played just four seasons in the NBA. He wore No. 61 in his rookie season in 1961-62. Nordmann averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds for the St. Louis Hawks and New York Knicks (pictured here wearing No. 22) in the 1962-63 season. — Runner-up: Dave Piontek

62 — Scot Pollard

Pollard was notorious for his tough defensive play and variety of wild hairstyles, and not necessarily in that order. Still, he appeared in the playoffs in nine of his 11 seasons and made his greatest impact backing up Vlade Divac with the Kings in the early 2000s, occasionally filling in at power forward when Chris Webber was hurt.

70 — Frank Selvy

Selvy holds the NCAA Division I record for points in a game with 100 (yes, you read that right). He was the first overall pick in the 1954 NBA draft and averaged 10.8 points per game in ten seasons. Selvy was a two-time NBA All-Star and a teammate to Elgin Baylor and Jerry West with the Lakers.

71 — Willie Naulls

A four-time All-Star, Willie Naulls starred for the New York Knicks during the late 1950s and early 1960s. From 1959 to 1962, Naulls averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds before game. He wore No. 71 for the Golden State Warriors for 47 games in the 1962-93 season after the Knicks traded him for Tom Gola. — Runners-up: McCoy McLemore, Bob Wiesenhahn

72 — Jason Kapono

Kapono was the second-to-last pick of the 2003 NBA draft and had a relatively nice nine-year career as a role player known for his shooting ability. He led the league in three-point percentage with a 51.4% clip in 2006-07 as a member of the Heat, the year following Miami’s title win. He also outshot Dirk Nowitzki and Gilbert Arenas to win the shootout at All-Star weekend that year and would successfully defend that title in ‘08.. Kapono holds the distinction of blocking the first shot in Bobcats history as a member of Charlotte’s expansion roster.

73 — Dennis Rodman

Rodman’s most famous for wearing No. 91, and is the only player to make this list twice, given he became the only player in NBA history to wear No. 73 when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1998-99 season. He’s a five-time NBA champion, winning two as a “Bad Boy” Piston and three with Jordan’s Bulls, and set an NBA record by leading the league in rebounding for seven straight seasons (1991-98).

76 — Shawn Bradley

Standing 7’6”, Bradley’s height made him an NBA commodity and he enjoyed a solid career functioning primarily as one of the league’s best shot-blockers. He averaged three or more blocks per game in each of his first six seasons while also rebounding effectively and scoring when needed. Bradley also took a memorable turn as a supporting character in Space Jam.

77 — Gheorghe Muresan

At 7’7”, Muresan is the tallest player in the NBA history, along with the late, great Manute Bol. Muresan earned the 1995-96 Most Improved Player award after averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game while making a league-leading 58.4% of his field goals. — Runners-up: Vladimir Radmanovic, Jake Voskuhl

83 — Craig Smith

The 36th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, Smith is the only player to wear No. 83 in league history. Smith wore the number when he appeared in 47 games for Portland in the 2011-12 season. His best season came in 2008-09, when he averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Minnesota.

84 — Chris Webber

C-Webb only donned No. 84 after his prime, in his lone part of a season with Detroit after being traded in 2007. But Chris Webber was a dominant force before a serious knee injury in the 2003 playoffs, one of the NBA’s best post passers and dynamic power forwards. He was a five-time All-Star, averaging 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 15 seasons. But the hopes of the entertaining Kings teams of the early 2000s went down when Webber did, and he would retire without a title to his name.

85 — Baron Davis

After the Hornets selected him third overall in the 1999 NBA draft, Davis became a two-time All-Star. He most notably led the eight-seeded Warriors to a 4-2 first round upset of the top-seeded Mavericks. He’s the only player in NBA history to wear No. 85, doing so for both the Cavaliers and Knicks.

86 — Semih Erden

Erden, a 7-foot Turkish center, played three NBA seasons and played in just 69 games. He started nine games for the Cavaliers in 2011-12 and headed back overseas the next season, playing in his native country ever since. — Runner-up: Chris Johnson

88 — Nicolas Batum

Batum, a late first-round pick, was traded to Portland from Houston for the rights to Darrell Arthur and Joey Dorsey on draft day 2008. His career’s been solid, with a well-rounded game and good size and ball skills. But 2012-13 was a highlight year for Batum, when he averaged 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Frenchman was traded to Charlotte in the off-season and will start fresh as a Hornet this fall. — Runner-up: Antoine Walker

89 — Clyde Lovellette

The ninth overall pick in the 1952 NBA draft, Lovellette wore No. 89 in his rookie season for the Minneapolis Lakers. A four-time All-Star, Lovellette averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during his 11-year career. Lovellette was part of three NBA championship teams. — Runner-up: Louis Amundson

90 — Drew Gooden

A number of NBA stops haven’t kept Gooden from posting decent production, though he has not quite justified his fourth overall selection in 2001. He came into a role with the Wizards last season and averaged double figures in scoring every season up until 2012.

91 — Dennis Rodman

Rodman, appearing for the second time on this list, retired with a reputation as one of the NBA’s greatest rebounders ever, not to mention a strong defender and enormous off-court presence with a penchant for dying his hair on the regular. He won five titles, was Defensive Player of the Year twice, made seven All-Defensive first teams and two All-Star teams, and became one of America’s most polarizing athletes in the process.

92 — DeShawn Stevenson

Stevenson never came close to his prep-star hype, but bounced around supplying average production much of his career. He had a moment for the Mavericks during their 2011 title run, famously proclaiming himself the “LeBron stopper.” And hey, Dallas topped Miami. For all we know, he still holds that title.

93 — Metta World Peace (Ron Artest)

Before changing his name to Metta World Peace, Ron Artest wore No. 93 from 2006-08 with the Sacramento Kings. Artest donned seven different numbers in his career, and his personality and antics both on and off the court have overshadowed just how good he was in his prime. An elite, versatile defender for many years, Artest was averaging 24.6 points per game in 2005 before being suspended for the “Malice at the Palace” incident and missing the entire season.

94 — Evan Fournier

Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The French guard took a step forward last year at age 22, averaging 12 points per game for the Magic. He’s become a member of the French national team as well. The best may still be to come.

96 — Metta World Peace (Ron Artest)

Not surpisingly, a player who donned seven different numbers in his career would appear twice on this list. Metta World Peace, then Ron Artest, wore No. 96 in the 2008-09 season with the Houston Rockets. He led the team in three-pointers and steals, finishing second in scoring behind Yao Ming. He won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers the following season.

98 — Jason Collins

Collins never lived up to his first-round selection, but carved out a niche as a defensive-minded reserve center and hung around for 13 seasons. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds for his career. Collins became the first openly gay NBA player in 2014 and chose number 98 to honor Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in a 1998 hate crime.

99 — George Mikan

One of the game’s original superstars, Mikan was quite literally a giant among men at 6’10” in the 1940s and 1950s. He led the Lakers to four NBA championships and one BAA title before becoming an NBA franchise. Mikan was a four-time All-Star and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996.

Published Aug 12, 2015

BEN GOLLIVER

Ben Golliver is a staff writer for SI.com and has covered the NBA for various outlets since 2007. The native Oregonian and Johns Hopkins University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles.