Top 10 Greatest NBA Players of All Time According to AI

Jordan coming in at No. 1 on the rankings is no surprise. He’s done it all. The University of North Carolina product was a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals and had all the individual accolades to go along with it. He averaged 30.1 PPG in his career, won Finals MVP during every championship run, captured five league MVP awards, and even had 10 scoring titles. That’s just a drop in the bucket. 

In the rankings with the four LLMs, MJ was in first across the board. He scored a perfect 40 out of 40 in our points system. They all considered the different categories. Jordan grew the game across the globe, dominated a defensive era, and was a natural-born winner and competitor. 

ChatGPT: “Jordan combined flawless Finals dominance with unmatched individual accolades and global influence. A cultural and competitive apex.”

DeepSeek: The perfect blend of peak dominance, accolades, and cultural impact. His 6-0 Finals record (with 6 FMVPs) is untouchable.  

Gemini: “Michael Jordan’s case for being the greatest of all time rests on a perfect synthesis of dominance, winning, and cultural magnetism.”

Grok: “Jordan tops the list for his unmatched peak dominance, perfect Finals record, and cultural transcendence. His 6 titles as the unequivocal leader, combined with 10 scoring titles and defensive prowess, set a standard few can touch. His era was competitive, though less global than today’s, but his ability to elevate weaker Bulls rosters early in his career adds to his case.”

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The greatest of all-time debate will always include LeBron. But he has won two fewer titles than MJ. That being said, there’s a legitimate argument to be had given his longevity and consistency, as we previously discussed. Each model made it very clear that James carried weaker teams to the Finals at times, most notably the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The consensus with AI was that The King could very well be considered the GOAT if he did win one more title before retirement. He has all the accolades to go along with it, and he’s the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. James’ production also hasn’t wavered. He’s widely respected as arguably the most complete player ever, too, as all four models mentioned. The veteran scored 36 out of 40, finishing in second with all four models. 

ChatGPT: “LeBron’s blend of all-time production, durability, versatility, and era-adaptability puts him second only to Jordan — and the debate is valid.”

DeepSeek: “Greatest longevity ever, unmatched all-around game. Could pass Jordan if he wins another title.” 

Gemini: “LeBron James presents the most compelling challenge to Jordan’s throne, primarily through his unprecedented blend of statistical production and longevity.”

Grok: “LeBron’s longevity and all-around excellence (top 10 in points, assists) make him a close second. His 4 rings are fewer than Jordan’s, but he carried weaker teams (e.g., 2007 Cavs) to Finals and faced tougher competition in a deeper league. His influence on and off the court is immense, though some argue his Finals losses (6) slightly dent his case.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The consensus when it comes to Kareem is that if he had more Finals dominance, he would be in the GOAT conversation. But, the resume is still ridiculously impressive. Six titles between two teams (Milwaukee and LA), scoring longevity, and a skyhook that absolutely nobody could stop. 

Abdul-Jabbar may have played in a different era, but he was brilliant. The big man landed in third place with every AI model and ultimately scored a 32 out of 40. He stayed consistent across two decades and also won a league-record six MVPs. As we know, he held the all-time scoring lead as well until LeBron surpassed him in 2023. 

ChatGPT: “Kareem’s sustained brilliance over two decades, combined with his individual dominance, makes him a top-3 lock.”

DeepSeek: “Most decorated resume ever (MVPs + rings), but slightly less "clutch" aura than MJ/LeBron.”

Gemini: “Kareem’s greatness is defined by sustained, decade-spanning dominance.”

Grok: Kareem’s 6 MVPs and scoring longevity are unmatched, with 6 titles split between key roles (Milwaukee) and supporting Magic’s Lakers. His skyhook was unguardable, and his stats hold up even adjusted for era. Slightly below Jordan/LeBron due to less Finals dominance and a less globalized era.

Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Terry Porter (Photo by: Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Magic was the first great floor general we saw in the Association and perhaps the best ever. His name said it best– Johnson was truly magic with the rock in his hands. The legend led the Lakers to five titles in the Showtime era, but he comes in as fourth, partially due to his shorter career and subpar defense. Magic had to stop playing because of his HIV diagnosis, suddenly retiring in 1991 before returning for the 1992 All-Star Game. Protests from fellow players forced him to watch until 1996, playing 32 games that season before hanging up the sneakers for good. 

He’s the first player on the list who wasn’t unanimously fourth across the board. ChatGPT and DeepSeek thought so, but Gemini and Grok placed Magic at fifth, right below the next player in the rankings – the late Bill Russell. 

ChatGPT: “Magic’s unprecedented playmaking at 6’9” changed the game and helped define the golden age of NBA competition.”

DeepSeek: “Best floor general ever, but shorter career and weaker defense than others.”

Gemini: “Magic Johnson revolutionized the point guard position and, alongside Larry Bird, revitalized the entire NBA.”

Grok: Magic’s playmaking and charisma transformed the game, with 5 titles as the Lakers’ leader. His shorter career (due to health) and less defensive impact keep him below Russell, but his peak dominance and influence are elite.

The late Bill Russell (Photo by Mansoor Ahmed/Getty Images)

We’ll never see a winner in pro sports like Russell again. He was a staple of the greatest dynasty ever, winning 11 championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics. Sure, the competition wasn’t as good at the time, and the league wasn’t as competitive, but it’s still an insane accomplishment. He was a defensive superstar who also put up impressive offensive numbers. 

Gemini and Grok put Russell at fourth on the list, while ChatGPT had him at No. 5. DeepSeek, however, placed Russell at No. 8. Overall, the legend collected a 25 out of 40 score. The common talking point with all the models was his team's accomplishments and personal defense. 

ChatGPT: “Russell redefined winning and anchored the most successful dynasty in pro sports. His greatness goes far beyond box scores.”

DeepSeek: “Defense and rings are unmatched, but weaker offensive stats.”  

Gemini: “Bill Russell is, unequivocally, the greatest winner in the history of team sports.” 

Grok: “Russell’s 11 rings in 13 years are unparalleled, but he played in a smaller, less competitive league. His defensive impact (no block stats recorded) and leadership as the Celtics’ anchor are legendary, though lower scoring and era context place him just below the top three.”

Larry Bird at Basketball Hall of Fame (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Bird helped revitalize the Association in the 80s and played in one of the toughest eras ever. Regardless, he still dominated, winning three titles with the Celtics and three MVPs. Injuries cut his prime short, and that was a talking point with all four models. But his ability to step up in big moments and deliver was second to none. His MVP awards came in consecutive seasons as well, and he captured a pair of Finals MVPs. Bird was a phenomenal two-way player. 

While Bird finished No.  6 overall, that wasn’t the case with every model. In fact, Gemini was the only one to put him in sixth. DeepSeek ranked the Hall of Famer at fifth, while ChatGPT and Grok had Bird in seventh. He secured a final score of 19 out of 40. 

ChatGPT: “Bird’s skill, leadership, and dominance in one of the league’s toughest eras solidify his place among the all-time greats.”

DeepSeek: “Peak rivaled Magic/Jordan, but injuries hurt longevity.”  

Gemini: “Larry Bird was the perfect foil to Magic Johnson and a basketball savant whose fierce competitiveness and all-around skill defined an era. He won three championships, two Finals MVPs, and, most impressively, three consecutive regular-season MVP awards (1984-1986), a feat only matched by Russell and Chamberlain.”

Grok: “Bird’s 3 MVPs and 3 titles in a tough era, plus his two-way play, make him a lock for top 10. His shorter prime (injury-related) and slightly fewer accolades than Magic place him here, but his shooting and clutch play were game-changing.”

Spurs legend Tim Duncan (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)

When you think of Tim Duncan, the first thoughts that come to mind are greatness and longevity. He’s the only player in NBA history to win titles in three separate decades. Duncan spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs and was a pillar in their dynasty days. He was a force on both ends of the court, winning five titles and two league MVPs. Duncan is one of the most underrated superstars ever. 

The big man landed in seventh on the list with a 15 out of 40 score. ChatGPT put Duncan in sixth, while DeepSeek had the HOFer in seventh. Gemini and Grok ranked Duncan eighth in their top 10s. The accolades and overall success were discussed with all four models and his winning culture. 

ChatGPT: “Duncan may be the least flashy of the top 10, but no one paired consistency and two-way impact over two decades better.”

DeepSeek: “Most underrated superstar—consistent greatness, but less flashy.”

Gemini: “Tim Duncan is the model of quiet, sustained, and fundamental excellence. His **accolades** are unimpeachable: five NBA championships, two regular-season MVPs, and three Finals MVPs. He is the only player in NBA history to win titles in three different decades.”

Grok: “Duncan’s 5 titles, defensive dominance, and longevity make him a quiet GOAT candidate. Less flashy than others, his two-way consistency and leadership in a competitive era shine. Slightly lower peak stats keep him below Bird.”

Wilt Chamberlain addresses media - Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

If the GOAT were simply based on statistics, Wilt Chamberlain would blow everyone out of the water. He was easily the most electrifying force the league has ever seen. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 PPG in 1962, and there wasn’t even a three-point line yet. He even scored 100 points in a game once. Wilt’s longevity was impressive too, playing 14 seasons. But, his numbers did decline in his twilight years. 

He’s eighth ,however, due to the lack of team success compared to others on this list. Chamberlain only won two NBA titles. He scored an 11 out of 40 overall, ChatGPT excluded Wilt altogether, while DeepSeek ranked him ninth. Gemini put him seventh in their rankings. Grok put Chamberlain in sixth. 

ChatGPT: Didn’t include Chamberlain. 

DeepSeek: “Wilt Chamberlain was a mythological figure whose statistical feats defy belief. He is the most dominant individual force the league has ever seen from a numbers perspective.”

Gemini: “Stats are video-game-like, but playoff success lags behind peers.”  

Grok: “Wilt’s statistical dominance (e.g., 50.4 PPG in 1962) is unmatched, but his 2 titles and reputation for less team success (often outplayed by Russell) rank him below Magic. His numbers, adjusted for pace, remain jaw-dropping, and his athleticism was revolutionary.”

Shaquille O'Neal (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)

Shaquille O'Neal was the most physically dominant center we’ve ever seen in the Association. He was a nightmare for opponents on the interior and ended up winning four titles – three with the Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. O’Neal averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds in his 14-year career, and in his prime, helped lead LA to their championships alongside Kobe. 

ChatGPT and DeepSeek were the only ones to rank Shaq in the top-10. The aforementioned had him at eighth, while the latter ranked the big man at sixth overall. He scored an 8 out of 40 in our points system. The main storyline when it came to O’Neal was how unstoppable he was, both offensively and defensively. He lacked longevity, though, which hurt his ranking. 

ChatGPT: “Shaq was the league’s most unguardable force at his peak. His sheer presence warped defenses and changed playoff series.”

DeepSeek: “Peak Shaq (2000-02) was unguardable, but lacked longevity as a top-3 player. “

Gemini: Didn’t include O’Neal. 

Grok: Didn’t include O’Neal. 

Kobe Bryant celebrating (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“Mamba Mentality” became a worldwide phenomenon among athletes thanks to Kobe. His relentless work ethic and dedication to the sport of basketball showed on the court. Bryant is fourth all-time in most points and always delivered in big moments. Kobe won five titles with the Lakers and spent his entire career with them, even scoring 81 points in a game. His influence on peers and players, past and current, is evident. Kobe’s legacy will live on forever. 

ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok all ranked Bryant ninth, crediting his defensive abilities, clutch scoring, winning culture, and influence, as we previously mentioned. DeepSeek included Kobe on their honorable mention but said he missed the cut due to a lack of efficiency compared to the others on their list. Bryant collected a 6 out of 40 score. 

ChatGPT: “Kobe’s relentless competitiveness, elite scoring, and big-game heroics shaped a generation and forged one of the deepest legacies in NBA history.”

DeepSeek: Didn’t include Bryant. 

Gemini: “Kobe Bryant was the heir to Michael Jordan, a player whose obsessive work ethic ("Mamba Mentality") and indomitable will to win became a cultural phenomenon.”

Grok: “Kobe’s 5 titles, clutch scoring, and defensive tenacity make him a legend, but lower efficiency and 1 MVP keep him below Duncan. His cultural impact and Jordan-esque style elevate him among peers, though some argue he benefited from Shaq early.”