Jayson Tatum Reveals His List of Top 10 Greatest NBA Players of All Time
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has never shied away from expressing his admiration for the game’s legends, and now he’s taken it a step further by naming his personal top 10 greatest NBA players of all time. The list has sparked lively debate among fans and analysts alike, as Tatum blends respect for the game’s history with a nod to some more recent greats.
While he didn’t rank them in any specific order, Tatum’s list includes icons like Michael Jordan and LeBron James—both considered by many as the two frontrunners in the greatest of all time conversation. He also included Kobe Bryant, who Tatum has repeatedly cited as one of his biggest inspirations and mentors during his early NBA years.
Other names reportedly on the list include Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. The inclusion of Curry and Durant reflects Tatum’s appreciation for his contemporaries and the evolving nature of the modern game, particularly their impact on scoring, pace, and versatility.
Tatum’s list strikes a balance between dominant big men, transcendent guards, and all-around superstars who changed the way basketball is played. By mixing old-school greatness with newer era legends, Tatum demonstrates both a deep respect for the game’s roots and an understanding of how the sport has evolved.
As one of the rising faces of the NBA, Tatum’s opinions carry weight among young players and fans. His list isn’t just a tribute—it’s a snapshot of the players who’ve shaped his view of greatness, and in many ways, it offers insight into the type of legacy he hopes to build for
himself.
