The 50 greatest players in NBA history, ranked by win shares

Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during an NBA Finals basketball (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during an NBA Finals basketball (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Stephen Curry NBA (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry NBA (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Greatest NBA Player #39: Steph Curry-128.00

Future Hall of Famer Steph Curry is one of three active players to appear on this list and has a chance to leapfrog several all-time greats. Even at 34 years old, Curry is still going strong after averaging nearly 30 points per game in the regular season and setting a playoff record for most points scored in a game.

If he can continue to play anywhere near that level for the next few seasons, Curry can put himself in the conversation as a top-25 player of all time. He is already the greatest shooter of all time and leads the players on this list in true shooting percentage by a wide margin. His 3-point shooting, along with Klay Thompson, made the Golden State Warriors into an offensive juggernaut, and he is rewarded for that in win shares.

While it can be harder to accrue defensive win shares as a guard, Curry grades out as respectable on that end of the floor, contributing to his placement on this list. Still, at 39, he ranks far lower than the general consensus among fans.