# NBA 75th Anniversary Team

The NBA 75th Anniversary Team, also referred to as the NBA 75, 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. 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. Tasked with compiling a list of 75 players, the committee named an additional 76th member due to a tie in voting. It was billed as part of the league's anniversary celebration during the 2021–22 NBA season. Forty-five of the seventy-six players were later assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 2022 All-Star Game.

## 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. The other 26 included players from the 1970s to the current era. Two notable omissions from the earlier top 50 selections, Bob McAdoo and Dominique Wilkins, were named to the 75th anniversary list. 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. Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, George Mikan and Bob Pettit are the only players who have been named to all four NBA anniversary teams. Derrick Rose (2011) was the only former league MVP (as of 2020) to not be included on the team.
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. 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. The Boston Celtics had the most overall players, past and present, on the list with 20. The Lakers were next with 15.
Key :
| Italics | Italics | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes player who was active in the NBA at the time of induction |
| Bold | Bold | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team | Denotes player who was not previously on the 50th Anniversary Team |
| All-Star | All-Star | Denotes number of All-Star appearances | Denotes number of All-Star appearances | Denotes number of All-Star appearances | Denotes number of All-Star appearances | Denotes number of All-Star appearances |
| All-NBA | All-NBA | Denotes number of All-NBA selections | Denotes number of All-NBA selections | Denotes number of All-NBA selections | Denotes number of All-NBA selections | Denotes number of All-NBA selections |
| HoF Year | HoF Year | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as player | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as player | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as player | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as player | Denotes year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as player |
| G | Guard | Guard | F | Forward | C | Center |
| Pos | Position | Position | Pts | Points | Reb | Rebounds |
| Ast | Assists | Assists | MVP | Most Valuable Player | Most Valuable Player | Most Valuable Player |
Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2020–21 season, the season last completed before the list was announced.
(†) - Player deceased when selected for the team
NBA 75th Anniversary Team members :
| Name | Team(s) played for (years) | Pos | Pts | Reb | Ast | Championships won | MVP won | Finals MVP won | All Star | All-NBA | HoF Year |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975) Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989) | C | 38,387 | 17,440 | 5,660 | 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) | 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) | 2 (1971, 1985) | 19 | 15 | 1995 |
| Ray Allen | Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003) Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007) Boston Celtics (2007–2012) Miami Heat (2012–2014) | G | 24,505 | 5,272 | 4,361 | 2 (2008, 2013) | None | None | 10 | 2 | 2018 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2021) | F | 12,319 | 5,371 | 2,632 | 1 (2021) | 2 (2019, 2020) | 1 (2021) | 5 | 5 | TBD |
| Carmelo Anthony | Denver Nuggets (2003–2011) New York Knicks (2011–2017) Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2018) Houston Rockets (2018–2019) Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021) | F | 27,370 | 7,520 | 3,354 | None | None | None | 10 | 6 | TBD |
| Nate Archibald | Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City Kings (1970–1976) New York Nets (1976–1977) Boston Celtics (1978–1983) Milwaukee Bucks (1983–1984) | G | 16,481 | 2,046 | 6,476 | 1 (1981) | None | None | 6 | 5 | 1991 |
| Paul Arizin † | Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1952, 1954–1962) | F | 16,266 | 6,129 | 1,665 | 1 (1956) | None | None | 10 | 4 | 1978 |
| Charles Barkley | Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992) Phoenix Suns (1992–1996) Houston Rockets (1996–2000) | F | 23,757 | 12,546 | 4,215 | None | 1 (1993) | None | 11 | 11 | 2006 |
| Rick Barry | San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1965–1967, 1972–1978) Houston Rockets (1978–1980) | F | 18,395 | 5,168 | 4,017 | 1 (1975) | None | 1 (1975) | 8 | 6 | 1987 |
| Elgin Baylor † | Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (1958–1971) | F | 23,149 | 11,463 | 3,650 | None | None | None | 11 | 10 | 1977 |
| Dave Bing | Detroit Pistons (1966–1975) Washington Bullets (1975–1977) Boston Celtics (1977–1978) | G | 18,327 | 3,420 | 5,397 | None | None | None | 7 | 3 | 1990 |
| Larry Bird | Boston Celtics (1979–1992) | F | 21,791 | 8,974 | 5,695 | 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) | 3 (1984, 1985, 1986) | 2 (1984, 1986) | 12 | 10 | 1998 |
| Kobe Bryant † | Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) | G | 33,643 | 7,047 | 6,306 | 5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) | 1 (2008) | 2 (2009, 2010) | 18 | 15 | 2020 |
| Wilt Chamberlain † | Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965) Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968) Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973) | C | 31,419 | 23,924 | 4,643 | 2 (1967, 1972) | 4 (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) | 1 (1972) | 13 | 10 | 1979 |
| Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics (1950–1963) Cincinnati Royals (1969–1970) | G | 16,960 | 4,786 | 6,955 | 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) | 1 (1957) | None | 13 | 12 | 1971 |
| Dave Cowens | Boston Celtics (1970–1980) Milwaukee Bucks (1982–1983) | C | 13,516 | 10,444 | 2,910 | 2 (1974, 1976) | 1 (1973) | None | 7 | 3 | 1991 |
| Billy Cunningham | Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1972, 1974–1976) | F | 13,626 | 6,638 | 2,625 | 1 (1967) | None | None | 5 | 4 | 1986 |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors (2009–2024) | G | 23,668 | 4,509 | 6,119 | 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) | 2 (2015, 2016) | 1 (2022) | 10 | 10 | TBD |
| Anthony Davis | New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2012–2019) Los Angeles Lakers (2019–2021) | F/C | 16,988 | 7,420 | 1,732 | 1 (2020) | None | None | 9 | 4 | TBD |
| Dave DeBusschere † | Detroit Pistons (1962–1968) New York Knicks (1968–1974) | F | 14,053 | 9,618 | 2,497 | 2 (1970, 1973) | None | None | 8 | 1 | 1983 |
| Clyde Drexler | Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995) Houston Rockets (1995–1998) | G | 22,195 | 6,677 | 6,125 | 1 (1995) | None | None | 10 | 5 | 2004 |
| Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016) | F/C | 26,496 | 15,091 | 4,225 | 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) | 2 (2002, 2003) | 3 (1999, 2003, 2005) | 15 | 15 | 2020 |
| Kevin Durant | Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2016) Golden State Warriors (2016–2019) Brooklyn Nets (2019–2023) Phoenix Suns (2023–2024) | F | 28,924 | 7,454 | 4,645 | 2 (2017, 2018) | 1 (2014) | 2 (2017, 2018) | 14 | 11 | TBD |
| Julius Erving | Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987) | F | 18,364 | 5,601 | 3,224 | 1 (1983) | 1 (1981) | None | 11 | 7 | 1993 |
| Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks (1985–2000) Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001) Orlando Magic (2001–2002) | C | 24,815 | 11,607 | 2,215 | None | None | None | 11 | 7 | 2008 |
| Walt Frazier | New York Knicks (1967–1977) Cleveland Cavaliers (1977–1979) | G | 15,581 | 4,830 | 5,040 | 2 (1970, 1973) | None | None | 7 | 6 | 1987 |
| Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016) Boston Celtics (2007–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015) | F/C | 26,071 | 14,662 | 5,445 | 1 (2008) | 1 (2004) | None | 15 | 9 | 2020 |
| George Gervin | San Antonio Spurs (1976–1985) Chicago Bulls (1985–1986) | G | 20,708 | 3,607 | 2,214 | None | None | None | 9 | 7 | 1996 |
| Hal Greer † | Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973) | G | 21,586 | 5,665 | 4,540 | 1 (1967) | None | None | 10 | 7 | 1982 |
| James Harden | Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2012) Houston Rockets (2012–2021) Brooklyn Nets (2021)Los Angeles Clippers (2023) | G | 22,045 | 4,794 | 5,730 | None | 1 (2018) | None | 9 | 7 | TBD |
| John Havlicek † | Boston Celtics (1962–1978) | F/G | 26,395 | 8,007 | 6,114 | 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) | None | 1 (1974) | 13 | 11 | 1984 |
| Elvin Hayes | San Diego / Houston Rockets (1968–1972, 1981–1984) Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1972–1981) | F/C | 27,313 | 16,279 | 2,398 | 1 (1978) | None | None | 12 | 6 | 1990 |
| Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010) Denver Nuggets (2006–2008) Detroit Pistons (2008–2009) Memphis Grizzlies (2009) | G | 24,368 | 3,394 | 5,624 | None | 1 (2001) | None | 11 | 8 | 2016 |
| LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018) Miami Heat (2010–2014) Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2021) | F | 40,017 | 10,847 | 11,046 | 4 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) | 4 (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) | 4 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) | 21 | 20 | TBD |
| Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) | G | 17,707 | 6,559 | 10,141 | 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) | 3 (1987, 1989, 1990) | 3 (1980, 1982, 1987) | 12 | 10 | 2002 |
| Sam Jones | Boston Celtics (1957–1969) | G | 15,411 | 4,305 | 2,209 | 10 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) | None | None | 5 | 3 | 1984 |
| Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998) Washington Wizards (2001–2003) | G | 32,292 | 6,672 | 5,633 | 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) | 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) | 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) | 14 | 11 | 2009 |
| Jason Kidd | Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012) Phoenix Suns (1996–2001) New Jersey Nets (2001–2008) New York Knicks (2012–2013) | G | 17,529 | 8,725 | 12,091 | 1 (2011) | None | None | 10 | 6 | 2018 |
| Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs (2011–2018) Toronto Raptors (2018–2019) Los Angeles Clippers (2019–2021) | F | 11,085 | 3,689 | 1,672 | 2 (2014, 2019) | None | 2 (2014, 2019) | 5 | 5 | TBD |
| Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2021) | G | 16,815 | 2,856 | 4,514 | None | None | None | 6 | 6 | TBD |
| Jerry Lucas | Cincinnati Royals (1963–1969) San Francisco Warriors (1969–1971) New York Knicks (1971–1974) | F | 14,053 | 12,942 | 2,732 | 1 (1973) | None | None | 7 | 5 | 1980 |
| Karl Malone | Utah Jazz (1985–2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) | F | 36,928 | 14,968 | 5,248 | None | 2 (1997, 1999) | None | 14 | 14 | 2010 |
| Moses Malone † | Buffalo Braves (1976) Houston Rockets (1976–1982) Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994) Washington Bullets (1986–1988) Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991) Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993) San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995) | C | 27,409 | 16,212 | 1,796 | 1 (1983) | 3 (1979, 1982, 1983) | 1 (1983) | 12 | 8 | 2001 |
| Pete Maravich † | Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974) New Orleans / Utah Jazz (1974–1980) Boston Celtics (1980) | G | 15,948 | 2,747 | 3,563 | None | None | None | 5 | 4 | 1987 |
| Bob McAdoo | Buffalo Braves (1972–1976) New York Knicks (1976–1979) Boston Celtics (1979) Detroit Pistons (1979–1981) New Jersey Nets (1981) Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1985) Philadelphia 76ers (1986) | F/C | 18,787 | 8,048 | 1,951 | 2 (1982, 1985) | 1 (1975) | None | 5 | 2 | 2000 |
| Kevin McHale | Boston Celtics (1980–1993) | F | 17,335 | 7,122 | 1,670 | 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) | None | None | 7 | 1 | 1999 |
| George Mikan † | Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1954, 1956) | C | 10,156 | 4,167 | 1,245 | 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) | None | None | 4 | 6 | 1959 |
| Reggie Miller | Indiana Pacers (1987–2005) | G | 25,279 | 4,182 | 4,141 | None | None | None | 5 | 3 | 2012 |
| Earl Monroe | Baltimore Bullets (1967–1971) New York Knicks (1971–1980) | G | 17,454 | 2,796 | 3,594 | 1 (1973) | None | None | 4 | 1 | 1990 |
| Steve Nash | Phoenix Suns (1996–1998, 2004–2012) Dallas Mavericks (1998–2004) Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2015) | G | 17,387 | 3,642 | 10,335 | None | 2 (2005, 2006) | None | 8 | 7 | 2018 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019) | F | 31,560 | 11,489 | 3,651 | 1 (2011) | 1 (2007) | 1 (2011) | 14 | 12 | 2023 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets (1984–2001) Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) | C | 26,946 | 13,748 | 3,058 | 2 (1994, 1995) | 1 (1994) | 2 (1994, 1995) | 12 | 12 | 2008 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | Orlando Magic (1992–1996) Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004) Miami Heat (2004–2008) Phoenix Suns (2008–2009) Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010) Boston Celtics (2010–2011) | C | 28,596 | 13,099 | 3,026 | 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) | 1 (2000) | 3 (2000, 2001, 2002) | 15 | 14 | 2016 |
| Robert Parish | Golden State Warriors (1976–1980) Boston Celtics (1980–1994) Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996) Chicago Bulls (1996–1997) | C | 23,334 | 14,715 | 2,180 | 4 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997) | None | None | 9 | 2 | 2003 |
| Chris Paul | New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017) Houston Rockets (2017–2019) Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020) Phoenix Suns (2020–2021) | G | 19,978 | 4,923 | 10,275 | None | None | None | 11 | 10 | TBD |
| Gary Payton | Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003) Milwaukee Bucks (2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) Boston Celtics (2004–2005) Miami Heat (2005–2007) | G | 21,813 | 5,269 | 8,966 | 1 (2006) | None | None | 9 | 9 | 2013 |
| Bob Pettit | Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) | F | 20,880 | 12,849 | 2,369 | 1 (1958) | 2 (1956, 1959) | None | 11 | 11 | 1971 |
| Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics (1998–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) Washington Wizards (2014–2015) Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017) | F | 26,397 | 7,527 | 4,708 | 1 (2008) | None | 1 (2008) | 10 | 4 | 2021 |
| Scottie Pippen | Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004) Houston Rockets (1999) Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003) | F | 18,940 | 7,494 | 6,135 | 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) | None | None | 7 | 7 | 2010 |
| Willis Reed | New York Knicks (1964–1974) | C/F | 12,183 | 8,414 | 1,186 | 2 (1970, 1973) | 1 (1970) | 2 (1970, 1973) | 7 | 5 | 1982 |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970) Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974) | G | 26,710 | 7,804 | 9,887 | 1 (1971) | 1 (1964) | None | 12 | 11 | 1980 |
| David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003) | C | 20,790 | 10,497 | 2,441 | 2 (1999, 2003) | 1 (1995) | None | 10 | 10 | 2009 |
| Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons (1986–1993) San Antonio Spurs (1993–1995) Chicago Bulls (1995–1998) Los Angeles Lakers (1999) Dallas Mavericks (2000) | F | 6,683 | 11,954 | 1,600 | 5 (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998) | None | None | 2 | 2 | 2011 |
| Bill Russell | Boston Celtics (1956–1969) | C | 14,522 | 21,620 | 4,100 | 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) | 5 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) | None | 12 | 11 | 1975 |
| Dolph Schayes † | Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1949–1964) | F | 18,438 | 11,256 | 3,072 | 1 (1955) | None | None | 12 | 12 | 1973 |
| Bill Sharman † | Washington Capitols (1950–1951) Boston Celtics (1951–1961) | G | 12,665 | 2,779 | 2,101 | 4 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961) | None | None | 8 | 7 | 1976 |
| John Stockton | Utah Jazz (1984–2003) | G | 19,711 | 4,051 | 15,806 | None | None | None | 10 | 11 | 2009 |
| Isiah Thomas | Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) | G | 18,822 | 3,478 | 9,061 | 2 (1989, 1990) | None | 1 (1990) | 12 | 5 | 2000 |
| Nate Thurmond † | San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1963–1974) Chicago Bulls (1974–1975) Cleveland Cavaliers (1975–1977) | C | 14,437 | 14,464 | 2,575 | None | None | None | 7 | 0 | 1985 |
| Wes Unseld † | Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1968–1981) | C | 10,624 | 13,769 | 3,822 | 1 (1978) | 1 (1969) | 1 (1978) | 5 | 1 | 1988 |
| Dwyane Wade | Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019) Chicago Bulls (2016–2017) Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018) | G | 23,165 | 4,933 | 5,701 | 3 (2006, 2012, 2013) | None | 1 (2006) | 13 | 8 | 2023 |
| Bill Walton | Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979) San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1979–1985) Boston Celtics (1985–1988) | C | 6,215 | 4,923 | 1,590 | 2 (1977, 1986) | 1 (1978) | 1 (1977) | 2 | 2 | 1993 |
| Jerry West | Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974) | G | 25,192 | 5,366 | 6,238 | 1 (1972) | None | 1 (1969) | 14 | 12 | 1980 |
| Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019) Houston Rockets (2019–2020) Washington Wizards (2020–2021) | G | 21,857 | 6,961 | 8,061 | None | 1 (2017) | None | 9 | 9 | TBD |
| Lenny Wilkens | St. Louis Hawks (1960−1968) Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1972) Cleveland Cavaliers (1972–1974) Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975) | G | 17,772 | 5,030 | 7,211 | None | None | None | 9 | 0 | 1989 |
| Dominique Wilkins | Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994) Los Angeles Clippers (1994) Boston Celtics (1994–1995) San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997) Orlando Magic (1999) | F | 26,668 | 7,169 | 2,677 | None | None | None | 9 | 7 | 2006 |
| James Worthy | Los Angeles Lakers (1982–1994) | F | 16,320 | 4,708 | 2,791 | 3 (1985, 1987, 1988) | None | 1 (1988) | 7 | 2 | 2003 |

### 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. The NBA stated the players were "selected for being pioneers that have helped shape, define, and redefine the game." The NBA revealed 25 members of the list the first two days, and 26 the last day from October 19 through October 21, 2021.

### Criticisms

It was widely rumored that Kyrie Irving was originally on the list, as his then-team, the Brooklyn Nets, prematurely posted an announcement congratulating him on the achievement, but was later excluded allegedly due to controversy regarding his public image at the time. Former teammate LeBron James later said, "Damn shame he ain’t Top 75!", as did Andre Iguodola, "So y'all saying Kyrie Irving ain't top 75? I agree… he top 20 at least…" in Twitter posts criticizing the snub. Irving himself, sports commentators, and fans criticized the exclusion due to Irving's already illustrious career at the time of the list.
Former NBA coach and television commentator Stan Van Gundy said that it was "absolutely ridiculous" that Dwight Howard was not included on the team. Howard later said, "I knew I wasn't going to be on it". 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." NBA coach and former commentator Steve Kerr said that he had hoped Thompson and Draymond Green "would be on there".

## 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. Six have died: Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly in 2009, Jack Ramsay in 2014, and K. C. Jones and Jerry Sloan in 2020. 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. At the time of selection, 10 of the 15 coaches were also members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in that role, with Nelson the most recent inductee in 2012. Popovich would be inducted in 2023.
Key :
| Italics | Italics | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction | Denotes coach who was active in the NBA at the time of induction |
| Bold | Bold | Denotes coach who was not previously selected among the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History | Denotes coach who was not previously selected among the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History | Denotes coach who was not previously selected among the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History | Denotes coach who was not previously selected among the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History | 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.
| Coach | Team(s) coached (years) | Coaching record | Championships won as coach | Coach of the Year award(s) won | Year of Basketball Hall of Fame induction as coach |
| Red Auerbach | Washington Capitols (1946–1949) Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950) Boston Celtics (1950–1966) | 938–479 (.662) | 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) | 1 (1965) | 1969 |
| Larry Brown | Denver Nuggets (1976–1979) New Jersey Nets (1981–1983) San Antonio Spurs (1988–1992) Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1993) Indiana Pacers (1993–1997) Philadelphia 76ers (1997–2003) Detroit Pistons (2003–2005) New York Knicks (2005–2006) Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2010) | 1,098–904 (.548) | 1 (2004) | 1 (2001) | 2002 |
| Chuck Daly | Cleveland Cavaliers (1982) Detroit Pistons (1983–1992) New Jersey Nets (1992–1994) Orlando Magic (1997–1999) | 638–437 (.593) | 2 (1989, 1990) | None | 1994 |
| Red Holzman | Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1956) New York Knicks (1967–1977), (1978–1982) | 696–604 (.535) | 2 (1970, 1973) | 1 (1970) | 1986 |
| Phil Jackson | Chicago Bulls (1989–1998) Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011) | 1,155–485 (.704) | 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) | 1 (1996) | 2007 |
| K. C. Jones | Capital / Washington Bullets (1973–1976) Boston Celtics (1983–1988) Seattle SuperSonics (1990–1992) | 522–252 (.674) | 2 (1984, 1986) | None | – |
| Steve Kerr | Golden State Warriors (2014–2021) | 376–171 (.687) | 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) | 1 (2016) | – |
| Don Nelson | Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987) Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010) New York Knicks (1995–1996) Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005) | 1,335–1,063 (.557) | None | 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) | 2012 |
| Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs (1996–2021) | 1,310–653 (.667) | 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) | 3 (2003, 2012, 2014) | 2023 |
| Jack Ramsay | Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1972) Buffalo Braves (1972–1976) Portland Trail Blazers (1976–1986) Indiana Pacers (1986–1988) | 864–783 (.525) | 1 (1977) | None | 1992 |
| Pat Riley | Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990) New York Knicks (1991–1995) Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008) | 1,210–694 (.636) | 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) | 3 (1990, 1993, 1997) | 2008 |
| Doc Rivers | Orlando Magic (1999–2003) Boston Celtics (2004–2013) Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2020) Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021) | 992–704 (.585) | 1 (2008) | 1 (2000) | – |
| Jerry Sloan | Chicago Bulls (1979–1982) Utah Jazz (1988–2011) | 1,221–803 (.603) | None | None | 2009 |
| Erik Spoelstra | Miami Heat (2008–2021) | 607–424 (.589) | 2 (2012, 2013) | None | – |
| Lenny Wilkens | Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985) Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976) Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993) Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000) Toronto Raptors (2000–2003) New York Knicks (2004–2005) | 1,332–1,155 (.536) | 1 (1979) | 1 (1994) | 1998 |