All-Time NBA 1st & 2nd Teams

The NBA has been filled with superstars over the decades since its inception on June 6, 1946. Many players have won the hearts of franchises, fans, and front office executives with their passion for the game and elite skill levels. At a given time in the NBA, there are over 350 players in the League, and to be considered one of the best (i.e. top 10 players), a player must display an elite skillset, coupled with an ability to develop his team into a winning team.

While reviewing the history of the NBA and all the NBA "greats" from past and present, certain names stick out - names that have helped define the NBA and its recognition across the globe. As a result, the task of determining the top 50 players to have ever played in the NBA is a challenge, let alone the top 5-10 players. Faced with this challenge, I give you my "All-Time NBA 1st Team" and "All-Time NBA 2nd Team."

Note: Active players are not included on either of the "All-Time Teams." In order to compare players' careers in a comprehensive manner, only retired players are included on the teams.

Center 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-1989), 7-2 245 lbs.
Drafted: 1969 - #1 overall by Milwaukee Bucks
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, L.A. Lakers
NBA Titles: 6 
NBA Finals Appearances: 10 (6-4)
MVP Awards: 6
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 2
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 10
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 5
All-Defensive Team Selections: 11
Playoff Appearances: 18
All-Star Games: 19
Career Stats: 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.6 BPG, 55.9 FG%

Forward

Karl Malone (1985-2004), 6-9 256 lbs.
Drafted: 1985 - #13 overall by Utah Jazz
Teams: Utah Jazz, L.A. Lakers
NBA Titles: 0 
NBA Finals Appearances: 2 (0-2)
MVP Awards: 2
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 0
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 11
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 2
All-Defensive Team Selections: 4
Playoff Appearances: 19
All-Star Games: 14
Career Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 51.6 FG%

Forward

Larry Bird (1979-1992), 6-9 220 lbs.
Drafted: 1978 - #6 overall by Boston Celtics
Teams: Boston Celtics
NBA Titles: 3
NBA Finals Appearances: 5 (3-2)
MVP Awards: 3
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 2
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 9
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 1
All-Defensive Team Selections: 3
Playoff Appearances: 12
All-Star Games: 12
Career Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 49.6 FG%, 37.6 3P%

Guard

Michael Jordan (1984-2003), 6-6 210 lbs.
Drafted: 1984 - #3 overall by Chicago Bulls
Teams: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
NBA Titles: 6
NBA Finals Appearances: 6 (6-0)
MVP Awards: 5
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 6
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 10
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 1
All-Defensive Team Selections: 9
Playoff Appearances: 13
All-Star Games: 14
Career Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 49.7 FG%

Guard

Earvin "Magic" Johnson (1979-1996), 6-8 220 lbs.
Drafted: 1979 - #1 overall by L.A. Lakers
Teams: L.A. Lakers
NBA Titles: 5
NBA Finals Appearances: 9 (5-4)
MVP Awards: 3
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 3
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 9
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 1
All-Defensive Team Selections: 0
Playoff Appearances: 13
All-Star Games: 12
Career Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 52.0 FG%

All-Time NBA 2nd Team

Center 

Bill Russell (1956-1969), 6-10 220 lbs.

Drafted: 1956 - #2 overall by Boston Celtics

Teams: Boston

NBA Titles: 11
NBA Finals Appearances: 12 (11-1)
MVP Awards: 5

NBA Finals MVP Honors: 0

1^st Team All-NBA Selections: 3

2^nd Team All-NBA Selections: 8

All-Defensive Team Selections: 1
Playoff Appearances: 13

All-Star Games: 12

Career Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 44.0 FG%, 1.5 SPG, 3.5 BPG

Forward

Julius Erving (1976-1987), 6-6 200 lbs.
Drafted: 1972 - #12 overall by Philadelphia 76ers
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, ABA
NBA Titles: 1
NBA Finals Appearances: 4 (1-3)
MVP Awards: 1
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 0
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 5
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 2
All-Defensive Team Selections: 0
Playoff Appearances: 11
All-Star Games: 11
Career Stats: 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 50.7 FG%

Forward

Charles Barkley (1985-2000), 6-6 252 lbs.
Drafted: 1984 - #5 overall by Philadelphia 76ers
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets
NBA Titles: 0
NBA Finals Appearances: 1 (0-1)
MVP Awards: 1
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 0
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 5
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 5
3rd Team All-NBA Selections: 1
All-Defensive Team Selections: 0
Playoff Appearances: 13
All-Star Games: 11
Career Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 54.1 FG%

Guard

Oscar Robertson (1960-1974), 6-5 220 lbs.
Drafted: 1960 - #1 overall by Cincinnati Royals
Teams: Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Titles: 1
NBA Finals Appearances: 2 (1-1)
MVP Awards: 1
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 0
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 9
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 2
All-Defensive Team Selections: 0
Playoff Appearances: 10
All-Star Games: 12
Career Stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 48.5 FG%

Guard

Jerry West (1960-1974), 6-2 185 lbs.
Drafted: 1960 - #2 overall by L.A. Lakers
Teams: L.A. Lakers
NBA Titles: 1
NBA Finals Appearances: 9 (1-8)
MVP Awards: 0
NBA Finals MVP Awards: 1
1st Team All-NBA Selections: 10
2nd Team All-NBA Selections: 2
All-Defensive Team Selections: 5
Playoff Appearances: 13
All-Star Games: 14
Career Stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 47.4 FG%

Honorable Mention

Wilt Chamberlain (1960-1973), Center
Shaquille O'Neal (1993-2011), Center
Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2002), Center
David Robinson (1989-2003), Center
Patrick Ewing (1985-2002), Center
Elgin Baylor (1958-1972), Forward
Scottie Pippen (1987-2004), Forward
Moses Malone (1976-1995), Forward
George Gervin (1976-1986), Forward
John Stockton (1984-2003), Guard
Walt Frazier (1967-1980), Guard
Isiah Thomas (1981-1994), Guard
Clyde Drexler (1983-1998), Guard
Allen Iverson (1996-2010), Guard