The 50 greatest players in NBA history, ranked by win shares

More than any other North American sport, the conversation surrounding the NBA relating to the greatest players of all time is the most intense. Everyone seemingly has a hot take when it comes to ranking the best players ever.

With everyone having an opinion about who belongs in the conversation about the greatest players in NBA history, finding an unbiased take is difficult. Enter win shares. Win shares is a complex formula that attempts to take factors such as scoring, rebounding, passing, blocks, efficiency, and overall team success and quantify them into one easy-to-understand stat: wins.

For instance, each player on a 60-win team will receive a share of credit under win shares, while the best player obviously receives the most. That rewards players who drive winning and not so much for the ones that don’t.

It also rewards longevity, as we’ll soon see. Now, without further delay, take a look at the 50 greatest players in NBA history based on win shares, beginning with this under-the-radar Hall of Famer.