February 9, 1997 - The NBA celebrated its 50th anniversary by naming the 50 greatest players in the history of the league's existence. These players were honored en masse during half-time of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game held in Cleveland, Ohio.
February 9, 1997 - The NBA celebrated its 50th anniversary by naming the 50 greatest players in the history of the league's existence. These players were honored en masse during half-time of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game held in Cleveland, Ohio.
R.I.P Wilt Chamberlain George Mikan Pete Maravich
And Moses Malone
+Kishy414 it's so sad he died recently. R.I.P Big Man Moses
Now add MR. Dolphins Schayes to that. R.I.P
and mosses malone
and nate thurmond
i almost cried when Bill russell helped George Mikan to the stage. The history behind these two teams is too big.
George mikan was the original dominant big man. He was part of the first nba dynasty 50’s, before bill’s celtics in the 60’s took the standard to another level. I wish my lakers would honor MPLS more often.
Goaltending and the shot clock was invented because of George Mikan
Yeah mikan was one of the first NBA players
I mean, 8 Lakers and 10 Celtics players among 50 greatest, not including players like Karl Malone since they didn't spend their prime in these two teams. Man, Lakers and Celtics are the history of this league.
Me too big respect to george Mikan Because he is the start and because of oldness' he is weak but in Jesus name will give him strength!
wilt chamberlain...what a legend...
+Can Koral The most dominant NBA player was Wilt Chamberlain.
Of course man no question;)
There was some news about teams offering him a contract in the 80's when he was 50+.
@@ericpledge1 I'd still take Russell over Chamberlain. NBA titles - Russell 11, Chamberlain 2. NBA MVP - Russell 5, Chamberlain 4. NCAA Championships - Russell 2, Chamberlain 0.
@@pg5149 11-2 isn't about wilt-bill it is about celtics vs lakers or celtics vs sixers...when you have teammates like bob cousy and john havlicek and generally this celtics roster it's too easy to win those rings
RIP: George Mikan, Pete Maravich, Dave Debusschere, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, Moses Malone, John Havlichek, Hall Greer and Wes Unseld
Dolphin schayes
Elgin Baylor
Paul arizan
Bill sharmen
WELL DONE TO THESE PLAYERS. REST IN PEACE.
seeing Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain next to each other has to be the best thing in that event... i also thought that Robinson, Ewing and Olajuwon was also pretty cool
+S. Sanchez Wilt and Bill were best buddies off the court. :D
Wilt, Bill and Mikan
Q
Also Kareem 👌
To me it was Bird and Doc
George Mikan pretty much had a hand in changing every rule that's in existence today. Carried the league on his back for years and years.
It makes most people think he wasn’t that good, because nobody ever heard of him
@@jackpace793 It's just that they're too young to have seen him. Also, the NBA was in it's infancy when he suited up.
Mikan drill baby
Nothing important without at least one Croatian
@@ericmarlin4655 I'm 40 years old and till this day, I practice the "Mikan Drill."
In the 50 great shaq was the youngest In the 75 greatest, Giannis is the youngest
Biggest thing that sticks is at 8:02, where Russell is clapping along with the fans for Chamberlain. Knowing their history, that's real recognizing real. Respect to Russell.
I tought you were gonna say when Russell helps Georges Mikan gets on stage lol
I love the friendship and respect they have for eachother.
They made up in the 1990s and were very friendly to each other.
@@JStarStar00 They were friends in the court.
@@josephhanicak7922 They had a bitter feud going on from Russell's last game in 1969. The Celtics beat the Lakers in Game 7 and Wilt came out of the game late with an injury and the coach did not put him back in. Russell made some comment critical of Wilt and Wilt was insulted and they carried on a feud for about 20 years.
Best position group hands down was the Centers...holy shit.
They're all amazing. The first 5 guards are Jordan, Magic, Isiah, Drexler and Stockton--you won't find a better collection of anything in any sport. The forwards included Bird, Julius, Barkley, Malone, Havlicek.
I agree
@@SteveGellerMusic and the forwards also included the great Elgin Baylor, who is widely-considered the most-underrated small forward at an absolute minimum.
@@gynandroidhead Yep. Baylor was a beast.
Yea if it's happened on nowadays it will be dominated by guard
In that time mj ws the first to announced.. In this time mj was the last to be announced . He is the greatest player of all time for me.
@May Purple He is last in 75 anniversary announcement.
But the goats will change to every era, but it is true that Jordan, LeBron and Kobe are unique and irreplaceable.
Watching Bill Russell help George Mikan up to the stage made me tear up. Competition. Respect. Love. All through the game of basketball.
I agree. Tons of love and respect for them RIP George Mikan
Not today’s game
MJ was first to mention here, and the last one in this year 75th nba Ceremony. His Airness 🙌🙌
They introduced the players by age, giving respect to the oldest by calling them last...
@@OlJackBurton so isiah thomas is older than MJ??
@@empossible5945 Yes he is.
@@fundisayore201 then why MJ retired so much earlier than IT?
IT and LeBron james had the Chance to play against each other as well as Stephen curry...
R.I.P Wilt The stilt Chamberlin
WILT NEVER LIKED THAT NICKNAME J.R. HE PREFERRED THE BIG DIPPER
"Big Dipper". He hated The "Stilt".
Wilt was a personal friend of mine.. '80s and '90s.. We regularly ate lunch and dinner together in Brentwood and Westwood.
@@tONTogLESNIe hey u might be lying and you might be telling the truth. But if ur telling the truth thats amazing and u had a great friend
Thanks, Marquis.. I'm not lying, which sucks because he was like a Big Brother and I found out before it was on the news. I was supposed to drive my truck to his house because he wanted me to pick up a couch for him and I was going to get a free Love seat from him after. He was always hooking me up. An actual "Bro Friend" I owned a condo off of Barrington and he lived close by. He was only about 62. He still looked great
Shaq was a rookie in 1992, 5 years later he was named one of the NBA 50 greatest players of all time, and you wonder why is he so arrogant? I am not arguing if deserve it or not, just the fact that he was named one of the greatest when he was only 25 years old with no championships
ZeidGho lol, the dude wasn't even there to take it in
ZeidGho Charles Barkley and Karl Malone
John Stockton too
am i tripping or was karl malone boo’ed at 4:03
they knew when it will be said and done he will be top ten ever
Larry Bird always gets the most cheers no matter where he is
feels like shaq got the most
Leonard Fahrwald those were boos
i think dr j had the most cheers
No i think Wilt, Magic KAJ or Jordan had most
No if you really listen. Dr. J and Kareem's cheers were just as loud!
Hearing the pops that Wilt, Kareem, Dr. J and Bird got…. true fans know past greatness when they see it.
Never got the chance to watch the 50 greatest players of all time ceremony because I was only 4 and a half at the time but after watching the 75 greatest players of all time ceremony I had to come back and watch this.
Hard to believe that when this was happening, wilt chamberlain had less than 2 yrs to live.😢
Back then he still looked as strong as an ox a true athlete 💪
same thing i thought and looked good
Had to watch this after seeing the 75th anniversary team! These players took pride of their place in history!
Leave the weirdo comments behind
kareem and dr.J got the best ovations! absolute legends
No they didn't. It was bird chamberlain and Russell
Bird
Yeah Bird.
1.Bird 2.Wilt 3.Dr J
In my opinion, Dr J is overrated. He is like Clyde drexler, overrated player.
Incredibly classy move by Bill Russell lending a hand to George Mikan getting onto the podium.
Lol Why Scottie look like he's saying hi to his crush?
Overrated.
@@mcgo2836 what? You trippin
Chuck probably said some funny ass shit
@@adanbravo4722 chuck always says some funny shit 😂
IKR XD
Take a shot everytime they say from the Boston Celtics or the Los Angeles Lakers
Yep....I'm smashed....
Take a shot also when they said Philly
Yeah dude, if you think about it 90% of these legends are from Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, 76ers or Pistons. The 5 most dominant teams of all time! Knicks are an honorable mention but they only have 2 championships to their name.
LOL
Larry and Julius standing together and all of a sudden a fight breaks out between those two again and this time Charles holds down Julius while Larry throws a combo at him. Lol
hahahah
You can tell MJ was nervous...he was sweating bullets.
dahhhhhh he was sweating cause he was playing on that all star game
He was sweating because it the NBA Finals between the Bulls and the Jazz.
He was sweating from the sweater he wore during the game.
@@Supersweetguy no it was the all star game
He was playing in the All Star Game this happened at halftime
Who is here after 75th anniversary of nba?
I never get tired of watching this video. It sends chills down my spine to see all these greats!
Same here. 💯
Just saw this after the 75th anniversary man how everyone was so young in the 50th anniversary and we get to see Wilt Chamberlin.
My favorite player :)
You can tell that MJ's the GOAT because even how many heartbreaks he had given to Cleveland, he still received some of the loudest cheers when their names were called...
Not in this video though
Pippen was just as loud as Jordan though. Bird, Kareem, Wilt, Magic, Big O, Russell were all louder for sure because the people there knew their history
Larry and DR standing besides each other LOL😂
All that greatness under one roof. Beautiful sight!
Ironic that the logo himself isn't here.
+L-B-J Fan lol he is there
+Jrm Gvrr he wasn't at the place though
He was about to have surgery and could not travel.
@@SteveGellerMusic yeah the knee surgery
@@123123123CHUN same for Shaq but they booed him simply because it was too early for him to be part of this but now if there's a 75 anniversary of the NBA soon sure he's in
Whos here after nba top 75? I feel like this ceremony had better announcers/fanfare
The audience was dead at the 75th anniversary without counting the noise from the music. This one feels totally respectful.
The 75 was good but I felt this was better too. Announcers using the nicknames for this gave it a certain charm and the random dancers were kind of pointless.
Next 6 Unanimous Kobe Duncan Lebron Garnett Dirk Wilkins The Rest are debatable
Mcadoo? Iverson?
+xoxo hector If you look on his full career and not a specific timeline, Lebron is not one of them
+ZeidGho What are you talking about when you compare players you look at a specific time in there prime not specific years and I think Dominique is debatable which is why he didn't make this list
+xoxo hector THE TRUTH ...... PAUL PIECE
+Rhino The Godframe Iverson wasn't in it bc he wasn't even in his stage of greatness
They gotta do this again
TOXIC PVP I think it's good the way it is
Maybe during NBAs 100th anniversary.
They are, for 75 in 2022.
They would have to keep only like ten of these players on a new list
@@scoringmachine4694 Sit in the corner and dont come out until I say so...
I almost teared up. I have some great memories of watching, almost all of these, playing real time, on television, some more often than others. I never saw George Mikan play, or a couple of others, which was my loss. As many others have commented; Bill Russel giving George Mikan a hand up was very touching, and, to me, a high point of the introductions. Bill Russel, always the unselfish and consummate team player.
Wow. What a collection of basketball legends !
Cousy is 91 and still getting around well.
Seeing Wilt, Russell and Mikan together is simply the best moment in this event!
This is one of the dopest video I've ever seen thanks Ryan it puts a huge smile on my face as a basketball crazy fan
That line up of centers is straight 🔥
shaq was top50 even before dominating the finals 3 years in a row in the early 2000s...this dude was a beast.
I feel like they went from youngest to oldest for each position
obviously lol
Wilt, Kareem, Larry, Magic, Barkley, MJ... what a league! But it could have beena perfect line up Dominique was there too.
This is the greatest moment with all these players in same stage. Today nba 75 was not even close. The music, announcer, players who all still alive in this video and the crowd with pops. Goosebumps.
The 75th anniversary sucked too much spectacle less of a ceremony like this one. Here you can feel the respect for the legends.
the difference is that 25 years ago most of the OG were still alive. Now there's only Cousy and Pettit alive (in their 90s) of those who played in the 50s.
@@SoloPerICommenti most of the players in NBA 75 won't live for the 100 ceremony
@@glen7137 jordon would be 85, Bird 91, Kareem 101
@@SoloPerICommentiHopefully, we'll be alive to see that ceremony, wonder at the players that will join those from the 50 and 75 years ceremonies and mourn those that will no longer be with us. As a side note, Kobe did not live to see his induction, life is unpredictable, now you are here, a few minutes later you are not.
no brian scalbrine
That is because he's too good for that!! He is the only god player in the NBA
He was too young but now hes 1sr
Brian Scalabrine? I would rather see Rick Fox in this ceremony!!! How ironic your statement is JJ!!!
@@Supersweetguy don't disrespect the God like that. You are a disgrace. Brian Godabrine is p4p greatest player ever
@@rikupv Yeah right? As is Robert Horry isn''t a great player. Tell me it is not true?
Growing up in the 90's this was so legendary. It was so epic. I remember this live. All the goats under one roof. It made me proud to be a Sixers fan and philadephian.
I come back to watch this video at least once a year. "In a time of overwhelming hype in sports, there was something moving about how simple that was and how authentic it felt."
RIP John Havlicek
7:56 I remember someone asking why he wore an LA Lakers jacket when he was also prominent with the Warriors and 76ers. He said, "Hey, this is the jacket they gave me."
No Dominique Wilkins, this is ridiculous
+Janel Lemay-Naït That's injustice! Nigue is one of the 50 GOAT.
+Eric i know
So what forward do u take off for Nigue? Loved Wilkins but he was a only a scorer. Low on rebs ast and defense. No mvps or championships. But he was fun to watch.
He should have been on the dream team also.
I feel like Dominique, Payton and Bob McAdoo should've been there over lenny wilkens, bill sharman and Paul arizin
Stockton and Malone two authentic great players. They were humble, and sincere. Malone and Stockton holding almost all the records together. George Mikan was a pure class act for the Minneapolis Lakers. You have to love Chamberlain, no words can even describe how the GOAT was a mile ahead of everyone in terms of talent and dominance.
Karl Malone who got a 13 year old pregnant. No
@@menaaaa05It does not diminish his achievements in the NBA. One is his personal life, the other is his sports carrer. This ceremony deals with the latter.
Shaq, Robinson, Ewing, & Hakeem all elite 90's warriors that got busy among themselves just to be there. Well deserved! 👏 🙌
At this time, Shaq did not belong on this list
He admitted that on the open court show
I was shocked they put up there
Should have gone to dominique
@@JH-eb8no prob is, had his career ended the next day, he would not be a 50 greatest player.. he didn’t belong..
True and neither did Bill Walton and honestly you could say Pete Maravich and Billy Cunningham could have also been replaced
MJ first to be called here and last to be called on the 75th
8:14 that hand made my day
Thank George Mikan or there wouldn't be a NBA
How true. Many thought that Wilt was the first dominant big man of the NBA, but it was George Mikan. The goaltending rule was instituted because of him.
Yup. Mikan, Cousy, Russell, and Chamberlain carried the league during the first 15 years.
Magic and larry
This is one of the greatest things I've ever seen.
What's really sad is that Wilt looked healthier and in better shape than all the retired legends here and he was literally the next one to die from the list. Still shocked about that.
This is so surreal to see these legends 💯💯
I’m definitely lucky that I was able to grow up and watch basketball in the golden era, in the 80’s and 90’s! But as a huge fan, I would give my left nut to be able to watch 50’s-70’s basketball in person as well!! Especially to see the battles between Wilt and Russell! I would love to see the evolution of the game like we’ve seen the last 10 years with what Curry has done to the game!
Why not the right nut?
Legendary class of centers.. i've watched every center out of this group highlights... im ah small forward but I always admired the agility & finesse of ah smart big man
Wilt's aura says it all GOAT
Hazel boy mobb goat is Bill Russell sorry wilt
@@casualfandestroyer2503 jus because he got more rings?
Hands down to the CENTER LEGENDS. Being born in the twenty first century and being a wowen, witnessing the greatest NBA PLAYERS being recognized with their greatnessmakes me cry and be inspired as well. 😍
This ceremony is way better than 75 one
None of them have bitterness to each other unlike KG and Ray Allen
Facts 75 had some boring announcer and trash music
Because this one was a ceremony the 75th was a spectacle plus, i felt that loud music plus the dead crowd was totally disrespectful to the legends.
Saw it live on tv, what an epic ceremony. Great choice of music.
And R I P John Havlicek 😢
My favorite part was seeing Bill Russell help George Milan up on the podium.
People who were there and watch it live were so lucky. Aside from the 50 greatest players they've also watched the 1997 All-Star players.
this year they will do the same introduction ?with the 75 players i mean
@@ntinoskap4413 Yes
R.I.P Pistol
@@monetschannel5773 stfu
When they called Bird's name I teared up. My all time Idol along with Mohammad Ali
Who’s here after watching the 75 greatest?
Me👋
RIP to those who are no longer with us: Pete Maravich (June 22, 1947 - January 5, 1988) Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936 - October 12, 1999) Dave DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 - May 14, 2003) George Mikan (June 18, 1924 - June 1, 2005) Paul Arizin (April 9, 1928 - December 12, 2006) Bill Sharman (May 25, 1926 - October 25, 2013) Moses Malone (March 23, 1955 - September 13, 2015) Dolph Schayes (May 19, 1928 - December 10, 2015) Nate Thurmond (July 25, 1941 - July 16, 2016) Hal Greer (June 26, 1936 - April 14, 2018) John Havlicek (April 8, 1940 - April 25, 2019) Kobe Bryant (August 23, 1978 - January 26, 2020) Wes Unseld (March 14, 1946 - June 2, 2020) Elgin Baylor (September 16, 1934 - March 22, 2021) Sam Jones (June 24, 1933 - December 30, 2021) Edit: Bill Russell has unfortunately passed away. Bill Russell (February 12, 1934 - July 31, 2022)
Appreciate the facts 🙏
Kobe Bryant wasn't in that 50 players list.
Thanks plonesss
Update: Willis Reed
This always brings a tear to my eye.
Bernard King not making that list was a sad thing not to see!
A scoring machine he was!
Spencer Haywood, Bob McAdoo, Dennis Johnson and Bernard King.
I wish Sidney moncrief was here. The dude won the first two dpoys as a guard and in his prime average over 20 points a game.
The Ice man always looking cool as shit❄
shaq shouldn't have been there yet, as of now he is a legend, but at that time, HE WAS NOT. How dare they put shaq in front of Dominique Wilkins, that's disrespect for nique who spent years in the nba as a star, and to get overlooked by a 4 year shaq?
They guessed that shaq would be one of the greats but that guessed right. Dominique did belong on that list but not over shaq. They couldve taken off Somme players like Bill Walton or Scottie Pippen. They do not belong on that list
Do you honestly thin Scottie Pippen was better then Dominique . Yeah Pippen has rings but he had Jordan. Dominique had no help. I wasn't even born yet when they were playing but even I know nique was better then pippen
dominic ingram Not only he was put before Nique but they but him as the best Forward ever like are they serious
dominic ingram shaq is a center and Dominique is a power forward
small forward
This feels like Avengers Endgame when they all assembled.
After watching the NBA 75th anniversary ceremony I had to go back to this one.
I remember being in Cleveland for this. I was 20 years old.
Oh yeah please liar
Are you calling me a liar?? I was @ the game working as a vendor with my college
Lol we both know exactly where we were! I was at my uncle's house in Des Plaines, Illinois as a 7 year old celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr (Islamic holiday immediately after the month of Ramadan). And this all-star game was on at the same time. Feb. 9th, 1997. :)
What talent there! My goodness, it's great to see those guys.
Yeah, all that talent but where's Bernard King man?!?!?
I was 9 when this aired. It’s nice to see most of them at the 75th anniversary.
Tons of respect for these guys ❤️
Real deal for these 50 greatest players of all time. Congratulations 🎊🎉🎁🎈💐
8:08, you can see there, george mikan said "my man" to bill russell
Where is Lavar???
Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!
The most legendary collection of basketball talent ever assembled under one roof
Thank you very much to all players.
This was 100% better than the NBA 75 ceremony.
80's and 90s was the golden age of the nba
The centers lineup is insane
I was only 7 years old when the 50 greatest players of all time were in Cleveland to accept this great honor. I find it bitter sweet cause 13 of the 50 players are not alive anymore from this great group. The players are.. 1. Pete Maravich 1947-1988 ( was not alive to accept the honor.) 2. Hal Greer 1936-2017. 3. Bill Sharman 1926-2013. 4. Dave DeBusschere 1940-2003. 5. John Havlicek 1940-2019 6. Eligin Baylor 1934-2021. 7. Dolph Schayes 1928-2015. 8. Paul Arizin 1928-2006 9. Moses Malone 195n5-2015 10. Wes Unseld 1945-2020. 11. Nate Thurmond 1941-2016. 12. Wilt Chamberlain 1936-1999. 13. George Mikan 1924-2005. I am glad they were able to recongize 12 of the 13 players before they died. Wilt dying two and a half years after this. And most recently Elgin Baylor dying earlier this week. Unseld and Havlicek dying recently too. Unseld died summer of 2020 and Havicek died n 2019. May God rest there souls.
I've watched this a number of times and I'm impressed every time.
Who cares all of them deserve a loud ovation
Larry and Doc next to each other sent a chill down my spine
We just gonna close over the fact that this was like Shaq’s 5th year and he was already considered one of the 50 greatest, amazing
Pure unadulterated greatness on display.
I saw 4 of my Houston legends; Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Big (E) Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone. Great representation
Moses is a 76er
@@wcphldrivers3780 also a rocket