The NBA 75th Anniversary Team: Evaluating the Greatest Basketball Players in History

The National Basketball Association (NBA) officially commemorated its 75th anniversary by selecting the 75 greatest players in league history, a list that famously expanded to 76 members due to an unbreakable tie in the voting process. This selection, announced during the 2021-22 season, serves as the definitive, league-sanctioned benchmark for evaluating the greatest basketball players to ever compete at the professional level.

How the NBA 75th Anniversary Team Was Selected

Unlike previous commemorative lists, the NBA 75th Anniversary Team was not chosen by a single committee. Instead, the league commissioned a blue-ribbon panel consisting of 88 media members, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives. According to official NBA records, the panel was tasked with voting for the 75 players who best defined the league’s history through on-court excellence, impact on the game, and championship success.

The resulting list contained 76 names because of a dead heat in the final balloting, forcing the league to include an additional player rather than omit a deserving candidate. This process differs significantly from the 50th Anniversary Team selected in 1996, which was limited strictly to 50 players. The inclusion of 76 players reflects the evolution of the sport and the difficulty of comparing athletes across different eras of basketball development.

The Evolution of Elite Basketball Rankings

Comparing players across generations remains the most contentious aspect of sports journalism. In my 15 years covering the league, from courtside at the NBA Finals to the quiet corridors of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, I have observed that the primary challenge is the change in the game’s tactical landscape. The 76 players chosen by the NBA panel represent a spectrum of styles—from the physical, interior-focused era of the 1960s and 70s to the perimeter-oriented, high-pace style that dominates the modern game.

The list includes legends such as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, whose dominance in the league’s infancy set the standard for professional play, alongside modern icons like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. According to the statistical archives maintained by Basketball Reference, the selected players represent a wide range of accolades, including multiple MVP awards, scoring titles, and defensive player of the year honors. The diversity of the list acknowledges that “greatness” is measured not just by raw points per game, but by a player’s ability to elevate their teammates and dictate the outcome of a championship series.

Why Historical Lists Matter for Modern Fans

For the casual fan or the data-driven analyst, the 75th Anniversary Team provides a bridge between eras. It serves as a necessary educational tool that places modern performance in a historical context. When a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic achieves a new milestone, the 75th Anniversary list provides the framework for assessing where that performance sits in the pantheon of the sport.

The selection also highlights the league’s commitment to preserving its heritage. By formalizing this list, the NBA effectively creates a “Hall of Game”—a living record that captures the essence of the players who have shaped the league’s global growth. It is a reminder that the current product, as seen in today’s high-scoring, three-point-heavy environment, is built directly upon the foundations laid by the pioneers of the 1950s and the expansion stars of the 1980s.

Frequently Asked Questions About the List

Why were there 76 players instead of 75?

The NBA confirmed that a tie in the final voting tally among the 88-person panel resulted in 76 players being honored. Rather than breaking the tie through a secondary process, the league elected to include all 76 players to ensure the integrity of the voting results.

Are current active players eligible?

Yes. The criteria for selection included both retired legends and active players who had demonstrated sustained excellence throughout their careers. Players like LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Kevin Durant were active at the time of the announcement and were included on the list.

How often does the NBA release such lists?

The league has historically released anniversary teams at 25-year intervals. The 25th Anniversary Team was released in 1971, the 35th in 1980, the 50th in 1996, and the 75th in 2021. This suggests the next major update to this specific list is unlikely to occur until the league’s 100th anniversary in 2046.

Looking Ahead

While the 75th Anniversary Team is a static record of a specific moment in time, the debate over the “greatest of all time” is perpetual. As the league moves toward its future seasons, analysts and fans will continue to use these 76 names as the baseline for all future comparisons. The next official checkpoint for league history will be the conclusion of the current season and the subsequent induction cycles for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, where the next generation of potential all-time greats continues to build their resumes.

As always, the conversation regarding these rankings remains open. Feel free to share your thoughts on the most significant omissions or inclusions from this list in the comments section below.