5. Larry Bird (1979-92)
Was there ever a guy who “wanted it more” than Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird?
While many would never throw Bird ahead of Chamberlain, we do it here. Bird wasn’t blessed with the stature and athletic ability some of these other guys possessed. His unwavering will to win is what gets him in the Top 5.
Three NBA Championships, three NBA MVP awards, and a style of play that’ll strike fear into an opponent’s heart is why Bird is one of a kind.
Playing on possibly the best front-line the association has ever seen (Kevin McHale, Robert Parish), Bird not only showcased possibly the best pure shot in the history of the game, he raised the play of every man around him.
Career marks of 24.3 points, 6.3 assists, 10 rebounds per game to go along with a fantastic .496 mark from the floor are just stats that scream outrageous.
Bird is the most ultimate competitor this league has ever seen, doing it during a time of great riches for the NBA.
