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The NBA has been filled with phenomenal basketball players since its inception.
There have been numerous men who have changed the trajectory and history of the game and influenced countless others.
Stephen A. Smith put together his list of the most influential NBA players of all time and, like all things related to Smith, it’s sure to get people talking.
According to “First Take” on Twitter, Smith’s top five are Bill Russell at number five, Stephen Curry at number four, LeBron James at three, Magic Johnson at two, and Michael Jordan as the most influential player of all time.
.@stephenasmith‘s top five most influential NBA players pic.twitter.com/hJ09tXlqZR
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 22, 2023
This isn’t a very surprising list but it’s also not one that many people will argue against.
There is no doubt that these five athletes have influenced millions of people, including some people who play in the league today.
Jordan is the biggest name in NBA history and raised awareness of the game and also earned numerous prizes and accolades.
Johnson changed the way that people looked at point guards and repeatedly went to the NBA Finals.
James became a household name, won four championships with three different teams, and continued to be dominant even as he grew older.
As for Curry, he is considered the best shooter of all time and also has four championships to his name.
Russell outdid everyone else when it came to championship wins: he was an 11-time NBA champion and won eight years in a row.
Together, these men are definitely considered the best of the best.
Not only did they find great success, but they molded the style of many young players who would also someday become superstars too.
The post Stephen A. Smith Names The 5 Most Influential Players In NBA History appeared first on The Cold Wire.