2. PLAYERS 7 - 5

7. Oscar Robertson - 26,710 points

The Big "O" is one of those names that people bandy about when talking about the greatest player ever to play the game. And deservedly so - he had the all-around game that a lot of today's players lack. He is, in fact, the only player ever to officially average a triple double for an entire season, in 1961-62. Along with over 30 points, he managed over 12 rebounds and 11 assists per game. That's Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and John Stockton all rolled into one player. We'll probably never see another player like him.

Drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960, the 6'5" guard played his entire career with Cincinnati and the Milwaukee Bucks. In 1974, his last season, he played with another great player, Lew Alcindor, a name you will see (but not recognize) further ahead in our list. The two of them battled their way to the 7th game of the NBA Finals, but Oscar came up short in the final period, putting an exciting finish on an exiting career.


6. Elvin Hayes - 27,313 points

The prototypical power forward, the 6'9" Hayes was known for his turnaround jumper and aggressive rebounding and defense. He is also in the top ten in career rebounds, games, and minutes played. He played with a variety of teams during his first 12 All-star seasons, finally winning the NBA Finals in 1978 with the Washington Bullets.

Controversy and acrimony seem to have been constant companions throughout Hayes' career, as he suffered at the hands of the media for being standoffish and outspoken, and with teammates and coaches for being a troublemaker. Hayes retired in 1984 and bought a car dealership and a cattle ranch to keep himself busy (and it's apparently working . . . we haven't heard a peep from him since).


5. Moses Malone - 27,409 points

Malone was the first big-name player to be drafted right out of high school into the pros, the trailblazer for the Kobe Bryants and Tracy McGradys of today's league. A 6'10" center, he is also 3rd on the all-time rebounding list, and would rise to 4th place on the scoring list if we counted his 2 years in the ABA with the Utah Stars (but we won't . . . this is an NBA list). One of the most dominant players of the late 70s and early 80s, he biblically led the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, and the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in 1983.

Malone was a frequent league MVP, All-star, and leading rebounder, but without the towering height of the opposing centers, he had to rely on his natural quickness and toughness to get the job done - a Charles Barkley of an earlier era. He retired in 1994 with many awards and honors under his belt, and was later named one of the 50 best players in NBA history.