Member Reviews

This must be the most complete work of the NBA’s greatest players. 100 players. 100 essays. Some nerd math at the end. Perfect for diehard fans looking to spark debate and for newer fans who want some context for greatness in men’s basketball.

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I had already read The Football 100 and was excited to read this one. I don't watch much basketball so it was nice to learn more about the best basketball players of all time. Much like The Football 100, this books lists who The Athletic believes are the best players as well as important moments that shows why they believe they are the best. Each entry immersed the reader in those important moments and makes you feel like you are experiencing it for yourself. If you like basketball or sports, you'll like this book.

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A great and interesting read, both for fans who are tapped-in to the game's history and for newcomers to the sport. While there are some chapters I don't agree with (Carmelo Anthony disrespect in particular), I feel that nearly every author brings a fresh and engaging take to each of their player profiles. Overall, this book is a fun read that I would recommend to any basketball or sports fan.

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As a lifelong basketball fan, I immensely enjoyed my journey through the 750+ page "The Basketball 100," an arguable yet entirely entertaining and informative countdown through the NBA's 100 greatest players of all-time.

If you're a basketball fan, you're going to disagree. That's a given.

True story. I once lost a friend during a debate about the two players likely to be Indiana's two greatest pro players - Reggie Miller (NBA) and Tamika Catchings (WNBA). NOTE: No, Larry Bird doesn't count since he didn't play professionally in Indiana.

See, already arguing.

I argued for Catchings, in case you wondered, and to this day I'm comfortable with that choice. For the record, my friend and I eventually re-connected. We simply don't talk basketball.

He was wrong.

Compiled by The Athletic's foremost basketball writers and analysts, "The Basketball 100" doesn't ignore the ABA entirely (which would be a serious mistake), however, there's no question this countdown emphasizes the NBA's greatest.

What's refreshing with this collection is that it's not a simple case of presenting a basketball bio with stats. We get engaging stories and vivid portraits of some of the game's most compelling players.

For true basketball fans, the inclusion of George Mikan is a must. Cut from his high school team because he wore glasses, he would become the NBA's first true mega-star. There's other familiar names here, of course, from Gary Payton to Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among dozens of others. There seems to be a leaning toward contemporary greats (I would argue against inclusion of at least a dozen players) and, of course, we get a bold declaration of the greatest of all-time - no big surprise who's picked, though certainly many will disagree.

"The Basketball 100" explores what all the stats can and should mean in determining the greatest players - championship rings vs. stats? past vs. present? individual success vs. team success?

It's all here.

Basketball is king in Indiana and "The Basketball 100" is befitting of a king. It's a beautifully written countdown filled with authoritative info, stories, and stats. It's a book that truly celebrates the sport of basketball and the greatest players of all-time. If you don't disagree with the list, you're probably not a real basketball fan.

My beloved Reggie Miller is here, of course, though a bit low for my liking. Indiana-born Larry Bird is a no-brainer and, deservedly so, Attucks High School great Oscar Robertson is also given his place of honor here (I will confess disappointment that no ABA Pacer made the list - especially George McGinnis).

"The Basketball 100" is an absolute blast and a must-read for basketball fans. Now then, let's do the same for the WNBA.

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Great for the basketball fanatic! I love the layout with each chapter being a countdown of the top 100 greats in basketball. The facts were great.

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