About This Quiz
"Basketball is my favorite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court!"ÂÂ
If you're checking out this quiz, that means you're ready to take the shot. While you might think you're a pro when it comes to the NBA, let's find out if you're more professional than these NBA legends!
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed over 70 years ago. Since then, the sport has seen some of the most iconic athletes in the world come out of their league. From scoring the most points in a game to the most triple-doubles in one season, this quiz is filled with current and future hall-of-famers.ÂÂ
You can't have a conversation of the NBA greats without mentioning their leading scorers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. As many times as the ball bounced off the backboard or rim, there was a good chance it was rebounded by Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell. No one's assisted their teams more than John Stockton and Jason Kidd, and if you're not careful, they'll steal the ball and the answers to this quiz from you.
Watching the NBA of today, you'll hear the names of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Klay Thompson, young athletes who already hold many records. Although you've been talking about them hearing their names, can you recognize them from their picture? Can you step up to the foul line and sink the questions to this quiz? We'll see you at the final buzzer!
When you are considered by most to be the greatest shooter in NBA history, you're going to put up some big numbers. For a small sample, in the 2012-13 season, Curry broke the NBA three-pointer record with 272. He followed that up the following season by breaking his three-pointer record with 286. Oh, and by the way, in 2016 he had 402. Yep, you read that right.
Since high-school and his McDonalds All-American award, Chris Paul hasn't let up. From the NBA's rookie of the year to two Olympic gold medals, and nine NBA All-Star appearances, he has had incredible success that doesn't seem to let up.
Larry Bird played for the Celtics from 1979 to 1992 and was an All-Star all but one year. As impressive as any of his lengthy career achievements, are his three consecutive years as the league's MVP (1984-1986).
Advertisement
Michael Jordan was one of the most marketable athletes in all of sports. He is arguably the best basketball player to have ever played the game. Whether on defense or offense, he was unstoppable. And of his six NBA championships, he was MVP of, well, you guessed it, all six of them.
Durant was one of the most recruited high school basketball players of all time. He did play one year for the University of Texas, which was plenty. His accolades include, four-time scoring champion, eight-time all-star and five-time All-NBA First Team.
Allen Iverson's off-court antics may be as well-known as his on-court strengths. This 11-time All-Star played 14 seasons, scoring over 24,000 points, 3,394 rebounds, and 5,624 assists.
Advertisement
LeBron James four-year departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers was one of the most memorable stories in the NBA at the time. However, his time away wasn't fruitless. He spent each of those four years with the Miami Heat, playing in four NBA Championships, winning two of them.
Dwayne Wade is considered one of the most popular players in the game. From several years with the highest selling jersey sales, to four consecutive NBA Finals, leading the Miami Heat to championships in 2012 and 2013, it's easy to see why he is a legend!
Also known as Sir Charles, Barkley was a rebounding machine and 11-time All-Star. He still holds records for most rebounds in a quarter and at halftime.
Advertisement
Magic Johnson has a huge list of achievements, including five championships, three MVP awards, nine NBA finals, and 12 All-Star games. He retired in 1991, after finding out he'd contracted HIV, but returned two more times for a total of three retirements.
Jabbar is best known for his hook shot. Yet, in his 20-year career, he holds two records that may never be broken. He was a six-time MVP and a 19-time All-Star.
Kobe Bryant had a lengthy 20-year career, more impressive since it was all with the Lakers. In fact, that's a record. During that time he was an 18-time All-Star, and won five championships. In 2006, he scored a career high 81 points against the Raptors.
Advertisement
Nowitzki has too many credits to name, but his greatest might be his 50-40-90 club - 50% or higher field goal average, 40% or higher three-point percentage, and 90% or higher free throw percentage.
Jason Kidd retired with 107 triple-doubles, third all-time. He also retired as second in career assists and steals. He is the only player in NBA history with 15,000 points, 10,000 assists, and 7,000 rebounds.
Known by his nickname, Shaq, O'Neal appeared in 15 All-Star games during his 19-year career. He played on six different teams during this time. Considering he is one of the heaviest players to have played the game, he has some of the greatest honors, including four championship rings.
Advertisement
Jerry Lucas was a seven-time All-Star in his 11 seasons. However, his collegiate career was just as amazing. He is still the only three-time Bid Ten player of the year, as well as a two-time NCAA player of the year.
Despite being cut from his high school's basketball team in his freshman and sophomore years, Petitit is a good example of why you should keeping plugging away. He had a solid career which was highlighted by becoming the NBA's first MVP.
Robinson is the only Naval Academy player to play in the NBA, which also has relevance to his nickname, "The Admiral." He is a 10-time All-Star, NBA MVP, and has two National Championships. Not bad for a midshipman.
Advertisement
Jerry West played 14 years for the LA Lakers, and was an All-Star each of those years. Despite winning only one championship in his career, he competed in nine championship series. He is the only player in history to have been awarded the NBA Finals MVP, even though his team lost.
It's hard to say which of the Stockton/Malone duo were the most impactful. In fact, it might be a fruitless effort. Stockton is considered one of the greatest point guards ever as a 10-time All-Star. He still holds career assist and steals records, which are unlikely to be broken in the foreseeable future.
Hayes' basketball career didn't start in glory. He was an introverted and clumsy eighth grader when a teacher suggested he play basketball. However, his first few seasons were led with laughter. But by the time he was a senior, he was averaging 35 points per game. During his career, he played 1,303 games, scoring 27,313 points and 16,279 rebounds.
Advertisement
Kevin Garnett had one of the longest playing careers at 21 years. He played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets before retiring where he started in Minnesota. He is one of a handful of high school players to step straight into the NBA, making an immediate impact, followed by a long career.
McHale played for the Celtics for his entire career. Charles Barkley once said of McHale, "Kevin McHale's the best player I played against because he was unstoppable offensively, and he gave me nightmares on defense."
Moses Malone played with nine teams during his 21-year career, This is a significantly high number for a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA MVP.
Advertisement
Dr. J is the player who brought the high-flying, above rim style of play into basketball, showing off dunks on the court and free-throw line dunks in contests. He is the only person to have been voted Most Valuable Player in both the ABA and NBA.
Scottie "Pip" Pippen may have been the greatest second player of all-time. He won six NBA Championships alongside teammate Michael Jordan. Most agree Pippen would have been the best player on nearly any other team.
Despite Walton's collegiate and NBA achievements, people will always ask, "What if?" During his 13-year career, he was plagued with foot problems. Still, when healthy, he was incredible.
Advertisement
Imagine this. Olajuwon was drafted first in the 1984 draft. The same draft that included Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. So, yes, he's one of the greatest centers of all time.
There is just not enough time to talk about Chamberlain's career. He only played 13 years, but he sure made the best of them. How about a 100-point game? Averaging 40 and 50 points per game during a season? Or, consider that he averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds per game in a season - seven times. No other player has done it even once.
In 14 seasons, Robertson was a 12-time All-Star. He was the first of only two players to average a triple-double for a season. The other is Russel Westbrook.
Advertisement
It's not often that a person is considered too small for a position when they stand 6 feet 9 inches tall. But that is exactly what Cowens' critics thought of him before he was drafted in 1970. However, he quickly shut naysayers up by co-winning the NBA Rookie of the Year. Three years later, he won NBA player of the Year honors.
There is one achievement among many achievements that stands out for Russell. As the leader of the Celtics from 1956 to 1969, he won 11 championships. 'Nuff said.
Everyone knows Ewing for his NBA career, but he was also a phenom in college, leading the Georgetown Hoyas to three NCAA championships. He is considered one of the best both in college and NBA basketball and was named Georgetown's Head Coach in April of 2017.
Advertisement
Even at 6 feet 9 inches tall, Willis was considered relatively small for a center going up against players like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Nonetheless, he was a physical and hard-working threat on the court. Reed retired with over 8,400 rebounds and continued on as a college and NBA coach after retirement.
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler is known for his speed and athleticism. He still holds the record for offensive rebounds by a guard with 2,615.
Hal Greer was Marshall's first black schlolarship athlete and owned the school's field goal percentage record when he went pro. He played more games for the 76ers than any other player.
Advertisement
John Havlicek played all 16 of his seasons with the Boston Celtics. Of those 16 he won eight NBA Championships - an 8-0 record in series outcomes. He was also a 13-time All-Star.
Arizin played all twelve of his years with the Philadelphia Warriors. His 16,266 points were the third highest when he retired.
Walt Frazier learned to play basketball on a rutty dirt playground. Despite being a standout football player with several scholarship offers, he opted for basketball at Southern Illinois University. It seems he made the right choice, winning two NBA championships, scoring over 15,000 points and having his number retired by the New York Knicks.
Advertisement
Gervin played 18 years between the ABA and NBA. Considered one of the best shooting guards to have played the game, he averaged 26.2 points per game.
The Malone/Stockton duo is one of the most successful and prolific in NBA history. With outstanding scoring (36,928), free throws attempted and made, and NBA All-Star appearances, he made the most of his 19-year career.
If you want to know why basketball players are synonymous with height, look no further than George Mikan. At 6 feet 10 inches, Mikan was one of basketball's first big men who made his career with rebounding, shot-blocking, and shooting over defenders.
Advertisement
Rick Barry has the distinction of being the only player to have led the NCAA, ABA and NBA in scoring in at least one season at each level. For a big guy, he also had an exceptional career free-throw percentage of .900, most of which were shot underhand.
Cousy can be considered the assist King, leading the league eight straight seasons. He is also on a very short list of players who were All-Stars in every full season they played. If you're counting, that would be 13.
Baylor appeared in eight championships during his 13-year career. Athletically he had it all as a prolific shooter, rebounder, and passer. After retiring, he spent the next 22 years as the General Manager of the LA Clippers.
Advertisement
Bing had a distinguished 12-year NBA career with seven All-Star appearances. He went on to start a multi-million dollar steel processing company and was elected mayor of Detroit.
Bill Sharman joined with Bob Cousy to form what many consider the greatest backcourt in NBA history. While having a successful playing career, Sharman may best be known as the first North American athlete to win a championship as a player, coach and team executive.
In Schayes' 16 years as a pro, he was a 12-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA selection. He also led his team into the playoffs 15 of his 16 years.
Advertisement