In 2003, Slam Magazine's Top 75 Greatest Players Of All Time: Michael Jordan No. 1, Wilt Chamberlain No. 2, Magic Johnson No. 5

• SLAM Magazine released an NBA all-time top 75 in 2003 

• Even though Michael Jordan was No. 1, the rest of the list is fascinating to see

• Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were surprisingly low

Any list that seeks to rank the greatest players in NBA history will always be fluid as more players rise up the all-time rankings with every passing season. Stephen Curry is now considered a top-10 player of all time, even though he may not have been in that mix after the end of the 2021 season.

Time changes how we perceive stars, even after they retire. This was evident with SLAM Magazine's 2003 compilation of the top 75 players in NBA history. Even though they had Michael Jordan as the No. 1 option, the rest of the list would look very different today. This was their top 10.

1. Michael Jordan

2. Wilt Chamberlain

3. Oscar Robertson

4. Bill Russell

5. Magic Johnson

6. Larry Bird

7. Kareem-Abdul Jabbar

8. Jerry West

9. Shaquille O'Neal 

10. Julius Erving

11. Elgin Baylor

12. Hakeem Olajuwon

13. Karl Malone

14. Bob Petitt

15. John Havlicek 

16. Moses Malone

17. Isiah Thomas

18. John Stockton

19. Charles Barkley

20. Walt Frazier

21. Rick Barry

22. Bob Cousy

23. Elvin Hayes

24. Dave Cowens

25. George Gervin

26. Kevin McHale

27. Dominique Wilkins

28. Patrick Ewing

29. Willis Reed

30. Wes Unseld 

31. George Mikan 

32. Earl Monroe 

33. Nate Thurmond

34. Dolph Schayes

35. Walt Bellamy

36. David Robinson

37. Billy Cunningham

38. Paul Arizin

39. Dave DeBusschere

40. Alex English

41. Scottie Pippen

42. Nate Archibald

43. Adrian Dantley

44. Clyde Drexler

45. Bernard King

46. Bob McAdoo

47. Gary Payton

48. Artis Gilmore

49. Jerry Lucas

50. Pete Maravich

51. Hal Greer

52. Reggie Miller

53. Allen Iverson

54. Dan Issel

55. Tim Duncan

56. Robert Parish

57. James Worthy

58. Sam Jones

59. Kobe Bryant

60. Lenny Wilkens

61. Jason Kidd

62. Bob Lanier

63. Dennis Johnson 

64. Chris Webber

65. Chris Mullin

66. Mark Aguirre

67. Connie Hawkins

68. Spencer Haywood

69. Dennis Rodman

70. Kevin Garnett

71. Dave Bing

72. Alonzo Mourning

73. Bill Walton

74. Grant Hill

75. Tracy McGrady

The list had many interesting selections, such as Allen Iverson at No. 53, Tim Duncan at No. 55, Kobe Bryant at No. 59, Kevin Garnett at No. 70, and even Tracy McGrady at No. 75. 

Many players have risen over time due to how their legacy has aged as time has passed. At least MJ was No. 1 then and is considered No. 1 in Fadeaway World's top 75 players of all-time list as well, though LeBron James is in the mix now.

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Why Are Retired Players Ranking Differently Now?

Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson were retired before 2003 but they are ranked differently nowadays. Kareem is usually considered the third-greatest of all time, with Chamberlain and Robertson usually finding a place somewhere in the top 10 or just outside of that. 

Kareem's 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game career average, six championships, six MVPs, and his status as the all-time leading scorer until very recently have aged well as accomplishments. It's ensured his place in the top five of virtually every all-time list, including Fadeaway World's all-time GOAT pyramid. 

The focus on championship success for all-time players is far greater now. Wilt averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game for his career, but his Finals record of 2-4 is held against him. The mythical nature of his stats are also being challenged more often now, but there will be a fair number of records that'll always be held by Wilt the Stilt.

Robertson had made NBA history by averaging a triple-double for a season, something he did multiple times. At the time, his all-around versatility was considered an incredible tool. Now, we have seen Russell Westbrook not only break his all-time triple-double record but average it over a full season four times as compared to Oscar's one. Robertson's lack of championships as compared to Kareem and other modern greats has docked him in all-time positions as time has passed. Robertson averaged an incredible 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for his career but won just one title. 

There are plenty of modern-era players that would be considered top 75 players, as even the NBA admitted with their 75th Anniversary List. LeBron, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and many more have earned their places on this list. 

A top 75 all-time list could look very different by the end of even 2025, let alone 2033. The likes of Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and many others are gunning for their place on the list in the future.

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