The NBA 75th Anniversary Team, also referred to as the NBA 75,[1][2] was chosen in 2021 to honor the 75th anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was the fourth and most recent anniversary team in the league.[3] Similar to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History named in 1996, a panel of reporters, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives selected the greatest players in league history.[4] Tasked with compiling a list of 75 players, the committee named an additional 76th member due to a tie in voting.[5][6] It was built as part of the league's anniversary celebration during the 2021–22 NBA season.[4] Forty-five of the seventy-six players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 2022 All-Star Game.[note 1]
Players selected
List
At the time of selection, the players selected combined for 158 NBA championships, 62 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, 48 Finals MVP awards, and 730 All-Star selections. Of the 76 players, all 50 members of the 50th anniversary team were selected.[7] The other 26 included players from the 1970s to the current era.[8] Two notable omissions from the earlier top 50 selections, Bob McAdoo and Dominique Wilkins, were named to the 75th anniversary list.[9][10] When the previous 50 players were chosen in 1996–97, Wilkins was the only nine-time All-Star to be excluded, as well as the only six-time All-NBA selection to miss the cut. A two-time NBA champion, McAdoo was the only former league MVP omitted.[10][11] Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, George Mikan and Bob Pettit are the only players who have been named to all four NBA anniversary teams.[note 2][12] Derrick Rose (2011) was the only former league MVP (as of 2020) to not be included on the team.[13]
Eleven players (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook) were active in the 2021–22 season, when the list was announced.[7] Four of them (Anthony, Davis, James, and Westbrook) were playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on their 2021–22 squad. The Brooklyn Nets, with Durant and Harden on their roster, were the only other team with multiple active players.[14] The Boston Celtics had the most overall players, past and present, on the list with 20. The Lakers were next with 15.[15]
Italics | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | |||||
Bold | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team | |||||
All-Star | Denotes number of All-Star appearances | |||||
All-NBA | Denotes number of All-NBA selections | |||||
HoF Year | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction | |||||
G | Guard | F | Forward | C | Center | |
Pos | Position | Pts | Points | Reb | Rebounds | |
Ast | Assists | MVP | Most Valuable Player |
Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2020–21 season, the season last completed before the list was announced.
Selection process
The list was made through voting compiled by a panel of 88 media, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives.[91][92] The NBA stated the players were "selected for being pioneers that have helped shape, define, and redefine the game."[93] The NBA revealed 25 members of the list the first two days, and 26 the last day from October 19 through October 21, 2021.[4]
Criticisms
Former NBA coach and television commentator Stan Van Gundy said that it was "absolutely ridiculous" that Dwight Howard was not included on the team.[94] Howard later said, "I knew I wasn't going to be on it".[95][96] In an Instagram post, Klay Thompson said, "Maybe I’m just naive in my ability to play basketball, but in my head, I’m top 75 all-time."[97] NBA coach and former commentator Steve Kerr said that he had hoped Thompson and Draymond Green "would be on there".[98]
15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History
Alongside the selection of the NBA's 75th anniversary team was the selection of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by a panel of 43 current and former NBA coaches in collaboration with the National Basketball Coaches Association. Of the 15 coaches, eight members of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History in 1996 were selected; original Top 10 coaches Bill Fitch and John Kundla were excluded from the updated list. Nine of the 15 coaches named were alive at the time of the list's announcement, and four of them—Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, and Erik Spoelstra—were active.[note 4] Six have died: Red Holzman in 1998,[99] Red Auerbach in 2006,[100] Chuck Daly in 2009,[101] Jack Ramsay in 2014,[102] and K. C. Jones and Jerry Sloan in 2020.[103][104] Nelson and Sloan were the only members to have never won a championship as a coach; Nelson won five as a player. Wilkens was the only member of the coaches list to have been selected as a member of the players list. Ten of the 15 coaches are also members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with Nelson the most recent inductee in 2012.[105]
Italics | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | |||||
Bold | Denotes coach who was not previously selected among the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History |
Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2020–21 season, the season last completed before the list was announced.
See also
Notes
- ↑ The following players were honored posthumously: Paul Arizin (died 2006), Elgin Baylor (died 2021), Kobe Bryant (died 2020), Wilt Chamberlain (died 1999), Dave DeBusschere (died 2003), Hal Greer (died 2018), John Havlicek (died 2019), Sam Jones (died 2021), Moses Malone (died 2015), Pete Maravich (died 1988), George Mikan (died 2005), Dolph Schayes (died 2015), Bill Sharman (died 2013), Nate Thurmond (died 2016), and Wes Unseld (died 2020).
The following players were honored virtually: Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Tim Duncan, Walt Frazier, Karl Malone, Earl Monroe, Steve Nash, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Bill Russell, Russell Westbrook, and Lenny Wilkens.
Nate Archibald, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant did not attend nor appear virtually in the ceremony for various reasons. - ↑ The 25th anniversary team was the only one of the four teams that did not allow for the inclusion of active players at the time
- ↑ American Basketball Association (ABA) teams other than those admitted into the NBA in 1976 are not included; each year is linked to an article about that particular NBA season.
- ↑ Italicized record and winning percentage reflect all games played through the 2021–22 season; the preceding record is that of the coach at the time of his selection.
References
- ↑ Dubose, Ben (October 19, 2021). "Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes among initial NBA 75 list". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ Irving, Kyle (August 26, 2021). "NBA 75: Which active players could join the list of all-time greats?". Sporting News. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ Jackson, James (October 22, 2021). "James Harden, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony among greats celebrating place on NBA's Top 75 list". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Everything you need to know about the NBA's 75th Anniversary Season". NBA.com. October 5, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021.
- 1 2 Golliver, Ben (October 20, 2021). "NBA unveils 75th anniversary all-time team". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ↑ Friedell, Nick (October 23, 2021). "Golden State Warriors rib Klay Thompson over snub from NBA's 75th anniversary team". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- 1 2 "NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced" (Press release). NBA. October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ↑ Coles, Joe (October 21, 2021). "The players that weren't on the NBA's 50th anniversary team that made the 75th anniversary team". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ↑ Reynolds, Tim (October 22, 2021). "The top 75 — plus 1 — players in NBA history are revealed". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- 1 2 Kalbrosky, Bryan (October 21, 2021). "The NBA finally gave Dominique Wilkins, Bob McAdoo the respect they deserve". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ↑ Rohrbach, Ben (October 19, 2021). "The Bill Russell Scale: A quest for the perfect list of the NBA's 75 Greatest Players". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ↑ "NBA Official Release | NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced". www.nba.com. October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ↑ "NBA MVP Award Winners". www.nba.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ↑ "LeBron James among 18 Lakers on NBA's 75th anniversary team". The Orange County Register. October 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ↑ Ryan, Bob (October 23, 2021). "A closer look at the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, from one of the 88 voters". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ↑ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
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- ↑ "Anthony Davis Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Dave DeBusschere Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
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- ↑ "James Harden Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "John Havlicek Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ↑ "Elvin Hayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ↑ "Allen Iverson Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "LeBron James Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Magic Johnson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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- ↑ "Jason Kidd Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Kawhi Leonard Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Damian Lillard Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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- ↑ "Karl Malone Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Moses Malone Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Pete Maravich Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Bob McAdoo Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Kevin McHale Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "George Mikan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Reggie Miller Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Earl Monroe Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Steve Nash Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Dirk Nowitzki Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Hakeem Olajuwon Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Robert Parish Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Chris Paul Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Gary Payton Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Bob Pettit Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Paul Pierce Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Scottie Pippen Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Willis Reed Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Oscar Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "David Robinson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Dennis Rodman Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Bill Russell Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Dolph Schayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Bill Sharman Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "John Stockton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
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- ↑ "Nate Thurmond Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Wes Unseld Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Dwyane Wade Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Bill Walton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Jerry West Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- 1 2 "Russell Westbrook Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Lenny Wilkens Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "James Worthy Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ↑ "NBA to name 75 greatest players during 75th anniversary season celebration". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ↑ "The NBA 75: Biggest Snubs, Surprises and Ranking Best Players Ever". Sports Illustrated. October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ↑ "NBA's 75 Anniversary Team Players | NBA.com | NBA.com". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ↑ Botkin, Brad (2023), Stan Van Gunday called it 'ridiculous' that Dwight Howard didn't make NBA's Top-75 team, and he's right, CBS Sports, retrieved August 22, 2023
- ↑ Rivas, Christian (2021), Dwight Howard says ‘politics’ kept him off NBA Top 75 list, Silver Screen and Roll, retrieved August 22, 2023
- ↑ Katz, Fred (2021), NBA 75: At No. 56, Dwight Howard has the stats, accolades … and the haters, The Athletic, retrieved August 22, 2023
- ↑ Shifferaw, Abel (2021), Klay Thompson Reacts to Not Being Included on NBA 75th Anniversary Team (UPDATE), Complex, retrieved August 22, 2023
- ↑ Ward-Henninger, Colin (2021), NBA 75th Anniversary Team: Warriors' Steve Kerr on why Klay Thompson, Draymond Green should have made list, CBS Sports, retrieved August 22, 2023
- ↑ Berkow, Ira (November 15, 1998). "Red Holzman, Hall of Fame Coach, Dies at 78". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ Goldstein, Richard (October 29, 2006). "Red Auerbach, Who Built Basketball Dynasty, Dies at 89". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ Goldstein, Richard (May 9, 2009). "Chuck Daly, Pistons Coach, Dies at 78". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ "Jack K. Ramsey Obituary (2020) The Oregonian". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ "Legendary Celtics player, coach K.C. Jones dies". ESPN.com. December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ "Jerry Sloan". www.larkinmortuary.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ↑ "NBA 75: Top 15 coaches in league history revealed". NBA.com. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ↑ "Red Auerbach Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Larry Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ↑ "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Red Holzman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Phil Jackson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "K. C. Jones Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Steve Kerr Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ↑ "Don Nelson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2012" (Press release). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. April 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Gregg Popovich Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Jack Ramsay Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Pat Riley Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Doc Rivers Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ↑ "Jerry Sloan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ↑ "Erik Spoesltra Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
External links
- NBA's 75th Anniversary Team Players at NBA.com
- The Full NBA 75 Team Announced at 2022 All-Star Game at the NBA official YouTube channel