The world of sports can be a rather complicated place, and that includes their various drafts. Just about every sport is filled with heated rivalries between teams and players, and the NBA is no different. Somehow, some players manage to rise above all the rivalries and heated fans, and they become widely loved within the sport.
There have been countless players in the NBA over the years, and just about every generation has its own list of beloved stars. While some stars do lose their shine over the years, there are still plenty of fantastic players that basketball fans will likely never turn their backs on.
10 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Most basketball legends get their due credit, but Kareem Abdul Jabbar often goes unmentioned by those with less NBA knowledge. He’s not only one of the most legendary players in league history, he’s also one of the most likable figures from the world of basketball.
Outside his incredible basketball legacy, Kareem has left a mark on television and film as well with his various appearances. He’s written multiple books and has been a driving force in conversations around issues involving race and religion. He has even been recognized for his ability to bring awareness to issues around cancers.
9 Michael Jordan
With how legendary of a figure Michael Jordan is, it's no surprise that pretty much everyone is willing to don a Chicago Bulls jersey with his name on it. He helped breathe new life into the NBA as a whole, and even managed to surpass the league with his star power.
Of course, no one could forget about his appearance in the iconic basketball movie for kids, Space Jam. Jordan is often a name brought up when basketball players speak about their idols and influences in the sport, and it's not hard to see why with the incredible life he’s led.
8 Stephen Curry
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Even Steph Curry’s biggest haters can’t help but admit just how incredible of a player he is. He’s consistently one of the most exciting players to watch, manages to drain some of the deepest three-pointers in the league, and comes across as a really likable guy.
Off the court, Curry has proven that he’s an athlete who is interested in giving back to the world. He’s undergone various charity efforts through various means, including tying back into his incredible on-court abilities. He’s also one to get behind ideas making him a force in the world of business, something many idolize.
7 Yao Ming
A lot of basketball stars gain some level of likeability among NBA fans but eventually fall out of their graces for some kind of controversy. Yao Ming seems to be one of those players who has managed to stay out of any major trouble, so people still love him.
Ming is so beloved that he had his own documentary made about him and his rookie year in the NBA. Ming is also one of the most generous contributors from the NBA when it comes to charity contributions, as he often donates large sums to disaster relief, and to help battle illness.
6 Muggsy Bogues
Most people love a good underdog story, and Muggsy Bogues might be the best individual underdog story in NBA history. The shortest man to ever play in the league, Bogues became a beloved figure to a lot of NBA fans.
Despite the odds, Bogues managed to not only play in the NBA for over a decade, he also managed to thrive. Bogues was feared on the court thanks to his incredible speed and ability to steal the ball. The man became a legend despite all the odds, and everyone respects him for it.
5 Wilt Chamberlain
Many of the most legendary figures in NBA history are loved for their incredible ability and the records that they set. Wilt Chamberlain is the man that managed to score one hundred points in a single game all the way back in the sixties, a record that likely won’t ever be broken.
While he was a man of a very different era, much of the reason he is beloved is because of his impressive skill. While he was known to be a bit of a menace with women, most people ignore that and choose to see him for the fantastic player that dominated an entire league.
4 Magic Johnson
It is fair to say that Magic Johnson has been embroiled in some strange situations over the years, but most NBA fans still have a lot of love and respect for the five-time NBA champion. His contributions to basketball are something everyone can appreciate.
Outside that, Johnson is widely loved for his many business ventures that have all garnered a great deal of success and his personal activism. Johnson set up a foundation to fight against HIV and see to it that the world was educated on exactly what HIV is.
3 Kobe Bryant
It’s likely that Kobe Bryant will forever be one of the most beloved NBA figures of all time. His skill on the court was so legendary that his name became a callout for day-to-day people (who may not even watch basketball) that needed to throw something somewhere.
There was a lot to love about Bryant, from his fearless attitude on the court to his fun-loving side in his other ventures. Whatever Kobe did, he seemingly did it with a smile on his face, making it hard for even his biggest detractors to truly hate him.
2 Nate Robinson
The three-time slam dunk champion is one of the most loved figures in the NBA for a few different reasons. He managed to play for quite a few different teams, and even when he wasn’t the most active player around, he became a major player in teams successes.
It seems that a lot of people love Robinson because of just how down-to-earth he seems to be. The man is clearly quite family-oriented, and his various personal ventures reflect that. One small thing that a lot of people liked was Robinson opening a chicken and waffles restaurant in the same neighborhood he grew up in.
1 Tim Duncan
It’s hard to not love a strong power forward, and Tim Duncan is often regarded as one of the greatest to take up that position. By all accounts, Duncan seems to be an incredible person both on and off of the court.
One of the biggest draws of Duncan was that he set up his own charity foundation. The purpose of the program was to fund not only youth sports but also health research and awareness. In just two years time, the foundation raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research.