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

Greatest NBA Player #15: Reggie Miller-174.40

When most NBA fans think of Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, they tend to think of him as a shooter—an elite shooter, but a shooter, nonetheless. While he had an 18-year career, it will likely come as a surprise that he ranks in the top 20 all-time in win shares, including ahead of more iconic players like Kobe, West, and even Olajuwon. That can largely be attributed to his being a more efficient scorer than all three players.

For instance, Reggie Miller’s career shooting split stands at 47.1% from the field, 88.8% from the free throw line, and 39.5% from three. Compare that to Kobe, who shot 44.7% from the field, 83.7% from the line, and 32.9% from three. Usage rate is also a factor, and Miller primarily playing off the ball helped him average just 1.7 turnovers per game compared to Kobe’s 3.0 per game.

As a result, his marksmanship, efficiency, and longevity helped him rate highly in terms of offensive win shares and overall win shares. Better yet, his ability to move without the ball allowed him to generate plenty of 3-point attempts and served as the template that many teams and players have since followed. That has changed how the game is played and led to a much more efficient NBA, making Miller one of the more impactful players on this list.