Teams: New York Knicks (1987-92, 2001-02), Los Angeles Clippers (1992-94), Indiana Pacers (1994-96, 1997-2000), Denver Nuggets (1996-97), Toronto Raptors (2000-01), Utah Jazz (2002-03), Houston Rockets (2003-04), Key stats: 1,296 G, 9.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 8.0 APG, 44.7 FG%. This season, he's averaging 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 26.5 DraftKings points per game. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA. Key stats: 963 G, 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 44.0 FG%, NBA titles: 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969). Stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG in 14 seasons with Boston Celtics (1950-51 to 1962-63) and Cincinnati Royals (1969-70). 100 Most Decorated NBA Players of All Time - Bleacher Report Did you really expect to see anyone but the best at the head of this list? Mournings play was the bottom line when it came to his toughness, but he also had a world-class scowl that went with it, and his glare became synonymous with the rough-and-tumble play of the 1990s. What makes these numbers even more amazing is that he underwent an astonishing eight knee surgeries over his career and was known to choke back several cigarettes in the locker room at halftime. The 5 most aggressive Chess Players of all time A lot of that comes from his upbringing. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG in 20 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97 to 2015-16). Parish might not get the love that he deserves for being intense, but theres no questioning his commitment. He won the 2016-17 Most Improved Player award and the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year award. Toughest NBA Players of All Time | Stadium Talk He was teased and bullied mercilessly as a child and through high school because he stuttered, and it got so bad he had to leave several schools. During halftime of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members of that team were honored in person. The most important thing to remember about Dumars as far as gauging his toughness is that Michael Jordan called him the best defender he ever faced and the "Jordan Rules" established by Pistons coach Chuck Daly in the 1990s centered around Dumars unique defensive ability. Bryants infamous stare is one that the opposition never wants to see, because it means hes about to enter Black Mamba mode. Aaron Rodgers and Packers are in the 'most passive aggressive NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Nuggets prediction, pick, how to watch Barkley was never shy about getting into a scrappy brawl if it was warranted, but he was far more than just an agitator. Double check. And even 40 years after one of the most infamous incidents in pro sports, his name still invokes a certain feeling of uneasiness. Bottom line: At just 5-foot-9, Isaiah Thomas is one of the most dominant, under 6-foot players in NBA history. Do I even need to elaborate? Key stats: 792 G, 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 43.6 FG%. Stats: 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG in 20 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (1969-70 to 1974-75) and Los Angeles Lakers (1975-76 to 1988-89); NBA's career leader in total points. Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 1999-2000 MVP, 1992-93 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star MVP, three-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champ, four-time NBA champion. Stocktons style of play was physical and attacking. Oakley squared up with a whos who of NBA tough guys and had an epic series of throwdowns with Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1996-2006, 2009-10), Denver Nuggets (2006-08), Detroit Pistons (2008-09), Memphis Grizzlies (2009), Key stats: 914 G, 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47.5 FG%. Bottom line: For the entirety of his career, Scott Skiles was listed at 6-foot-1. To create All-Time #NBArank, we put together a ballot with the 150 greatest players ever. Teammate of the Year. Lanier, at 6-foot-11, was one of the best all-around big men in NBA history and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds for his career. Honorary Enforcer Bill Laimbeer. Bogdanovic is another player who is playing better as of late and gets overlooked in NBA DFS. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, 1986-87 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, three-time NBA champion. Bottom line: Theres a long lineage of forwards rounding out championship trios in the NBA based on their ability to blend with generational talent and still cut their own swath. Stats: 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG in 11 seasons with Boston Celtics (1970-71 to 1979-80) and Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83). Some players have a signature that highlights exactly why they're on this list, while others bring a quiet approach to their complete and total dominance. Myself, I liked to get my fight over on Monday or Tuesday and not worry about it the rest of the week.". Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG in 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1981-82 to 1993-94). Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, 2011 NBA champion. In the NBA, some of the greatest players of all time have also been some of the toughest as well as some of the most beloved. The nine-time All-Star and 1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year credited learning the game on the streets of Oakland for creating his toughness. He has the most regular-season. There was no player like him during the era in which he played, and there isnt likely to be another one with his championship success. Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG in 16 seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1984-85 to 1991-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-93 to 1995-96) and Houston Rockets (1996-97 to 1999-00). Robertsons specialty was defense, making the All-NBA Defensive Team six times in his career and was NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986. NBA's 75 greatest players of all time - The complete list - ESPN.com Stats: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1984-85 to 2002-03); NBA's career leader in total assists and steals. He may have often looked out of place when he played, but thats because he was far ahead of his time. Two of the top teams in the Western Conference will go head-to-head in a rematch from last Saturday as an epic matchup . Bryant joined the Lakers in 1996 out of high school. I started that training with a 28 i. CP3s commitment to excellence is what makes him such an intense player, and he is visibly upset with every loss he endures throughout his career. Thats when America got to know his trademark goggles (and beard) on the way to NBA Finals losses to the Bulls and Pistons. That included a career-high 18.7 rebounds in 1991-92. Teams: St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks (1964-69), Phoenix Suns (1969-72), Boston Celtics (1972-76), Denver Nuggets (1976-77), Seattle Supersonics (1977-80), Key stats: 1,254 G, 9.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 43.2 FG%. Bottom line: Kevin Garnett is the highest-paid player in NBA history, with $326 million in career earnings. That makes the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 15-time All-NBA pick one of the toughest and most durable players of all time. 50 Most Complete NBA Players of All Time - Bleacher Report Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG in 14 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1986-87 to 1992-93), San Antonio Spurs (1993-94 to 1994-95), Chicago Bulls (1995-96 to 1997-98), Los Angeles Lakers (1998-99) and Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000). Iverson grew up in abject poverty and was sentenced to five years in prison as a senior in high school for a bowling alley assault, serving four months before he was granted clemency by the governor of Virginia. Bottom line: Patrick Beverley is truly a case study in determination. Just because Paul is not as outspoken as some of the other counterparts on this list doesnt mean that he doesnt belong. Most Improved Player. Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1969-75), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89), Key stats: 1,560 G, 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 55.9 FG%, NBA titles: 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). Unseld, known for bone-rattling picks, played for a decade before helping lead the Bullets to the NBA title in 1978, when he was named Finals MVP. NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. If you ever happened to catch a game that Skiles played in, you know thats spotting him at least 2-3 inches. He never backed down from anyone regardless of the situation, and his dunk over both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen will be one of the most iconic of all time. Teams: Boston Celtics (1997-98), Toronto Raptors (1998-99), Denver Nuggets (1999-2000, 2008-11), Minnesota Timberwolves (2000-02), Detroit Pistons (2002-08, 2013-14), New York Knicks (2011), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-13), Key stats: 1,043 G, 15.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 41.5 FG%. He shaved his head and eyebrows because he knew what a disconcerting effect the look would have on opponents. Anyone who has never seen some of Birds closest encounters on the hardwood should hit the YouTube channel immediately. He was unstoppable back when he played, and hed probably be unstoppable now if he was in his prime. And thats fair, because he almost killed Houstons Rudy Tomjanovich with one punch during a game in December 1977. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 3.3 APG in 11 seasons with Cincinnati Royals (1963-64 to 1969-70), San Francisco Warriors (1969-70 to 1970-71) and New York Knicks (1971-72 to 1973-74). Top 10 best NBA players of all time - Sportskeeda His obvious passion for the game was clear, and he went hard no matter what the scoreboard read. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, 1990 Finals MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. Stats: 18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG in 18 seasons with Indiana Pacers (1987-88 to 2004-05). Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. There was never a call that went unquestioned with Wallace, and he had no trouble illustrating exactly how he felt about everything. Perkins wasnt just hired muscle, though. Stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG in 13 seasons with Cincinnati Royals/KC-Omaha/Kansas City Kings (1970-71 to 1975-76), New York Nets (1976-77), Boston Celtics (1978-79 to 1982-83) and Milwaukee Bucks (1983-84). The 11-time NBA All Star . Toughness ran in Stocktons family. Johnson went to work as a forklift driver after he graduated, while he grew to 6-foot-3 over the next year, and was spotted during a pickup game by a junior college coach because of the intense way he played defense. A four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, O'Neal averaged a double-double during a career that spanned almost two decades.