The 5 Most Influential NBA Players of All-Time

Photo by Edgar Chapparo

Of all the greats who have made their marks on the game of basketball, here's my take on
the Top 5 MOST INFLUENTIAL of them all.

5. LEBRON JAMES) The "King" Lebron James starts off our list as the 5th most influential player of all time. The past decade has been, without a doubt, the Lebron James era in the basketball world. James has been the most dominant player for quite some time now. However, his overall influence isn't as much about his actual game as it is about the business decisions he's made on and off of the court. After all, how many aspiring young hoopers are blessed to be 6'8 athletic freaks built like a tank with Lamborghini speed? Not many, if any, can even attempt to emulate Lebron's style to the game. When Lebron James decided to take his talents to South Beach, he sparked the beginning of a prevalent trend in the league today that has caused mixed emotions for players and fans alike. Good players teaming up on the same squad to form a solid contending unit has always been a part of the league...but never before had the best player on the planet left his team to join other allstars and birth a "superteam". Many called this "weak", and criticized Lebron for not being able to get it done with the team that drafted him like MJ and Kobe did. I called it revolutionary. It broke the narrative that one should be absolutely loyal to the team that drafts them. Many of Lebron's league-mates have follow suit, and left behind their former teams to join new ones. James's actions ultimately woke players up to the fact that the league is a business, first and foremost. He empowered them to, therefore, be unapologetic in the business decisions they make for themselves. He's shown them that--just like the teams they play for--the players' loyalty should be to their own best interests and direction they choose for themselves in their careers. In this, he's completely changed the league.

4. ALLEN IVERSON) You cannot dissect the culture of today's game without paying dues to Allen Iverson. AI is the only player on this list without a ring, which speaks volumes of the caliber of player he was to be able to leave a lasting effect on the game in his own unique way. The style and profile of today's game would not be what it is without AI. The way players look, the gear they wear, the freedom they enjoy now not having to wear suits to and from games. Allen Iverson was the physical embodiment of basketball merged with the urban Hip-Hop culture prevalent in inner-cities throughout the country. Iverson wasn't the only player in the league to have cornrows, but he sure did popularize them. Prior to him, the league's famous image of the tattooed player was Dennis Rodman and not many considered the look to be hip or cool at all. I mean c'mon, it was Dennis Rodman. Iverson, however, was able to dawn the look in a way that made it extremely fashionable for the basketball world. The force behind his trendsetting came from his ability to produce consistently at a high level while entertaining fans with his athleticism, flare, and unique style of play. His competitive fire, and open rebellion against the then NBA status quo, made him a household name and favorite for many of the players that followed him. The cornrows with the headband, the arm and leg sleeves, the tattoos. Who do you think made those "cool"? As old heads usually say "these kids today don't not know nothin about all that".

3. STEPHEN CURRY) In a game that has long been dominated by the most physically imposing and athletically gifted players, this man right here showed the world that the game could be dominated in another way. Indeed, he found a way to make his immense impact even while seeming to be the least of his peers physically and athletically. Stephen Curry's from-the-hip quick release has made him the deadliest player of all-time from long range. Prior to this man's entrance into the NBA, it was common knowledge that the only way to make it in the league as a small guard was through being a great distributor and facilitator. Traditionally, the notion of a small or regular-sized point guard being able to control the game with his scoring was not common. The elite scorers were the shooting guards who were at least 6'5 200 lbs of athleticism and strength. Steph Curry turned that narrative upside down. Of course, having a former NBA player (who knows what it takes to make it) as your father helped a lot. Dell Curry--seeing that his son was going to be at a disadvantage in comparison to his more atheltically gifted and physically imposing counterparts--helped him to find his niche in the game, and master his meal ticket: the 3-point shot. And boy what a weapon it has become at his disposal. Who knew that it was possible to shoot and nail 3-pointers like they were free-throws? Who'd of thought it'd be possible to pull shots regularly, and nail them consistently, from ranges just a few feet from the half-court line? Who knew that you could dominate a game offensively without even stepping foot in the paint? NO ONE...until Curry came along. He's been extremely marketable because he looks like the average joe. Players at all levels, from professional to even your local gym runs, now emulate Curry with long-range shot attempts becoming ever prevalent. In fact, many consider Curry's popular 3-point intensive style to be a chief factor in the recent decline of low-post and mid-range emphasis seen in today's game. 

2. TIE-MAGIC JOHNSON & LARRY BIRD) In sports, the term "duo" usually refers to 2 teammates who facilitate the success of their team. The case of Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird, however, is unique. With a history rich with dynamic-duos that have facilitated the success of their respective franchises, perhaps the NBA's most dynamic-duo in history are these 2 Hall-Of-Famers who played against and not alongside each other. This legendary sports rivalry, which began at the collegiate level, carried into the NBA and lifted the league's popularity to a new level. Many say that this is the duo that saved the NBA, and set it on a marketing course for success that continues to this day. The flash and flare of Magic Johnson--who btw revolutionized the game in showing the world that a big man could run the point--fit in perfectly with the Hollywood identity, and became the core of a fast-paced culture of basketball that was the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the fundamentally sound and gritty style of Larry Bird embodied the blue-collar tradition of Beantown and set the tone for the well-oiled machine that was the Boston Celtics...2 Captains...2 Coasts...2 different styles...2 of the most storied franchises in NBA History...2 Rivals inseparable in the archives of NBA folklore. You simply cannot list or appreciate one without the other. Name a more iconic duo in basketball history.

1. MICHAEL JORDAN) Number one on this list is a given. The most influential player in NBA History is also regarded by many as the Greatest Player of All-Time, and for obvious reasons. Prior to this man's arrival in the league, it was virtually basketball law that a championship caliber team could only be built around the big men in the front court. The shooting guard position was not nearly as highly regarded or valued as it is today. Michael Jordan took the league by storm displaying a style and approach to basketball that was unprecedented. Along with his eventual sidekick Scottie Pippen, he showed the world in convincing fashion that championship teams could be founded on "small-ball" in the backcourt as well--which is a philosophy that is universally prevalent in the game to this day. Jordan took the marketing aspect of basketball to new heights, and set the standard for the game's top players. He was the catalyst that drove the then small and upcoming brands of Nike and Gatorade into eventually becoming the powerhouses that they are today. The pulled up wristband, the longer shorts, the tongue out, the acrobatic finishes and posterizing dunks, the customized shoes--this man was an absolute sports icon who made the game famous globally as fans all over the world wanted to "be like Mike". His final retirement from the Bulls promulgated the outlawing of defensive hand-checking (still in effect today) in order to promote offensive highlights to boost league ratings which dropped significantly following Jordan's exit. Finishing his career as the most individually accomplished player in NBA history, MJ to this day is still the standard that all great players are measured against. Name your favorite player today and realize that they were influenced in one way or another by him. The league as we know it today, with the superstars who dazzle fans with their styles of play, simply does not exist if it were not for Michael Jordan. 

Do you agree with my list? If not, who did I miss? Leave your comments below. Let's talk.

-Samoan A. Smith 
twitter: @Samoan_A_Smith

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