Isaiah Hartenstein, currently with the Oklahoma City Thunder, recently shared his list of the top five greatest basketball players of all time.
In an appearance on Ur. Perspective, Hartenstein ranked Michael Jordan as his number one player, placing him ahead of LeBron James.
“I grew up on Michael Jordan,” Hartenstein explained, referencing the Chicago Bulls legend’s influence on his childhood.
He cited Jordan’s highlights and the global phenomenon of Space Jam as major factors in his decision.
“Michael Jordan one, LeBron James two,” he stated, making it clear that LeBron still holds a significant spot in his ranking.
Hartenstein continued his list by naming Kobe Bryant as his third pick, followed by Shaquille O’Neal.
For his fifth spot, Hartenstein made a bold choice, picking Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.
“I think when it’s all said and done, I think this is going to be a crazy take… I’ll put Stephen Curry,” Hartenstein said.
His top five included a mix of dominant forces from the 1990s, 2000s, and the current generation of players.
Jordan remains a popular choice for the top spot in many all-time rankings, with his six NBA championships and dominance in the 1990s.
LeBron, now the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is often a contender for the number one spot, and his placement at number two shows Hartenstein’s respect for his accomplishments.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, and O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in league history, also hold iconic statuses in NBA history.
Hartenstein’s inclusion of Curry speaks to the transformative impact Curry has had on the game with his shooting and leadership on multiple championship teams.
