Who's the best player in the NBA History?

It's really tough to make out who indeed is the "Greatest of All-Time." Sometimes I vacillate between Chamberlain and Russell. But one thing to keep in mind is that it's tough to compare different players, from different positions to different eras.

Let's be honest, there's always an era bias. Younger fans will generally say Kobe is the best. Older, more knowledgeable fans will generally say it's Russell, Magic, Jordan, Chamberlain, or Bird. NBA eras change, that's why it's unfair to compare some players. This is what I mean:

In the 1960s/1950s, black NBA players were demonstrably discriminated against. Take Oscar Robertson. He played in an era where he rarely got the benefit of the doubt. He was discriminated in the high school/college level. I think it's pitiful to dismiss Robertson from the conversation because he only had 1 ring if people realized how much struggle he had to go through.

Then take the 80s. The Boston Celtics of the 80s could have 8-10 rings in my opinion in this era. They only had 3 in the 80s thanks to the stacked teams of the 76ers, Lakers, and Pistons. To me, those 3 rings really mean 6. The 80s teams were tough, stacked, and a team. They weren't a one-man show. And the physicality is nothing to ignore. I remember Erving and Bird going at it in '84. Kurt Rambis clotheslined. The 80s was indeed one of the toughest eras in NBA history. Players fell to the ground and got up. They didn't get up and cry to the refs like most NBA players did today. It's when men were allowed to play.

The Refs today take care of players as if they were their kids.

So from all of this, the best I can do is take it by individual positions at least for now.

C: 1. Bill Russell 2. Wilt Chamberlain (I have Kareem at 3)

PF: 1. Tim Duncan 2. Karl Malone

SF: 1. Larry Bird 2. Julius Erving

SG: 1. Michael Jordan 2. Kobe Bryant

PG: 1. Magic Johnson 2. Oscar Robertson

As a Laker fan, even I will admit that Jordan was the best (we're all not that closed minded)

I like that list, but my favorites were

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Larry Bird

Wilt Chamberlain

Kobe Bryant

Shaquille O'Neal

Jordan

Magic

Bill Russell

Kareem

Bird

Dirk Nowitzki

He is the best athlete of the entire sports history.

my top 5 in order

Jordan

magic

bird

kareem

wilt

No Dr J?? What's matter with you??

Jordan

Magic

Kareem

Bird

Duncan

kobe has had a better career then shaq and duncan

KOBE JORDEN is the best! =)

WTF? WHERE IS JULIUS ERVING?