Landon Buford
The 2021-22 season marks the 75th anniversary of the NBA. In 1996 at the All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, the league revealed the top 50 greatest players’ list and added 25 more players to the top 25 list. That list included the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Clyde Drexler, and David Robinson, to name a few.
A couple of names left off the top 50 greatest players’ list were Dominique Wilkins, Reggie Miller, and Bob McAdoo. With the 75th anniversary, many assumed that the league would add another 25 to the top 50 list this season.
Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen; according to NBC Sports, the NBA will be reselecting the top 75 list.
“A blue-ribbon panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives will select a new 75th Anniversary Team, featuring the 75 greatest players of all time. The team will be announced in October.”
A crop new players such as LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Garnett, and Dirk Nowitzki have played in the league since the last list. Other players that have come through the league are Chris Paul, James Harden, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With players of that caliber could Pacers great Reggie Miller make it in over any of those players and Hawks great Dominique Wilkins?
During his career, Miller scored 25,279 points, 4182 rebounds, and 4141 assists. He also was a five-time All-Star and made three-time All-NBA teams, and Hall of Famer. Meanwhile, Dominique Wilkins scored 26,668 points, 4219 rebounds, and 7169 assists. He also made nine All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams, 1985-86 scoring champ, and was on the 1982-83 All-Rookie team, and Hall of Famer.
Ex-NBA veteran Jared Jeffries on Clubhouse in the 95 X 50 room and was asked does Reggie Miller make the top 75 greatest players’ list?
“I think it is going to be hard for Reggie on this one because you have so many guys with the scoring level that you have. There are so many guys scoring at a high level now,” said Jeffries.
We will see who makes the list next month from the voting media members, current players, former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives.
It was recently announced that Miller indeed would be a part of the top 75 list. He was notified on national tv.
“Whoa! Okay! Wow, I’m a little flustered right now because we all know this is subjective because I look at this list and say who didn’t make that list, said Miller.
“There are great players on this list and looking at the first 50 everyone deserved to be on that list. I wasn’t going to be upset if I wasn’t because I would be willing to up my resume against anyone. However, who is on that list I’m one now, and I wasn’t expecting to be on that list.”
