As part of the 75th anniversary celebration, the league will be releasing its NBA 75 list, a collection of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. The league compiled a similar list ahead of the 1996-97 season honoring the 50 greatest players in NBA history, leading to plenty of debates among basketball fans.
Which players will make the cut this time? Here is everything you need to know about the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
MORE: Ranking the best NBA players entering the 2021-22 season
When will the NBA 75 list be unveiled?
The NBA 75th anniversary team will be unveiled in three parts during the first week of the 2021-22 season.
First 25 players revealed: Tuesday, Oct. 19 (6 p. m. ET, TNT) Next 25 players revealed: Wednesday, Oct. 20 (3 p. m. ET, ESPN) Last 25 players revealed: Thursday, Oct. 21 (6 p. m. ET, TNT)
Who votes on the NBA 75 list?
The NBA 75th anniversary team was selected by a panel of media members, current and former players, coaches and team executives. The league has not yet announced if it will share voting results or if it presented specific guidelines that each voter was required to follow. The process seems largely subjective.
How will the NBA celebrate its 75th anniversary season?
There will be several dates on the 2021-22 season schedule featuring classic matchups, including a Nov. 1 contest between the Knicks and Raptors that will take place on the 75th anniversary of the NBA’s first regular-season game. The league will also introduce a special 75th anniversary season logo as well as new Classic and City Edition uniforms.
Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Bob Pettit and Oscar Robertson as well as 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki will serve as ambassadors throughout the season. Given that they will have a significant presence at league events, including 2022 All-Star weekend in Cleveland, it feels safe to assume that they made the NBA 75 list.
Who was on the NBA’s 50th anniversary team?
(In alphabetical order)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Nate Archibald
Paul Arizin
Charles Barkley
Rick Barry
Elgin Baylor
Dave Bing
Larry Bird
Wilt Chamberlain
Bob Cousy
Dave Cowens
Billy Cunningham
Dave DeBusschere
Clyde Drexler
Julius Erving
Patrick Ewing
Walt Frazier
George Gervin
Hal Greer
John Havlicek
Elvin Hayes
Magic Johnson
Sam Jones
Michael Jordan
Jerry Lucas
Karl Malone
Moses Malone
Pete Maravich
Kevin McHale
George Mikan
Earl Monroe
Hakeem Olajuwon
Shaquille O’Neal
Robert Parish
Bob Pettit
Scottie Pippen
Willis Reed
Oscar Robertson
David Robinson
Bill Russell
Dolph Schayes
Bill Sharman
John Stockton
Isiah Thomas
Nate Thurmond
Wes Unseld
Bill Walton
Jerry West
Lenny Wilkens
James Worthy
