During a recent scrolling session on Instagram I came across a post, a Mount Rushmore of sorts, consisting of four NBA players past and present: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant & Steph Curry. This picture, which repackaged a tweet, called these four legends the most influential players in NBA History. I couldn’t say that I agreed with the picture totally since this picture shows a clear bias towards players who arguably reached their peaks in the ‘90s or later (as well as the exclusion of Allen Iverson) but it did the work my favorite lists do which is provoke thought and dialogue. So much so that a day or so later I saw Stephen A. Smith doing a Stephen A's List—the top 5 lists Smith does on ESPN’s First Take, where he is Executive Producer and Commentator, known for the “fluid” rankings system he applies—sharing who he felt were the most influential NBA Players of all time.
I knew I wanted to participate in this conversation about NBA Influence, but I didn’t want to participate in the way that Stephen A nor that more than likely Instagram recommended account did. I wanted to add a stipulation that would allow me to speak to the list in a manner where I could exercise true authority. After short and hard thought I decided I wanted to construct a list of the 10 most influential NBA Players drafted during my lifetime. Drafted during my lifetime since I was born in 1990, which provides a starting point at the beginning of a decade (I’m pretty consistent about this decade thing, right?) while still allowing opportunity and access to an abundance of players who are transcendent &/or trendsetters in their own way.
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When I think of influence I think of people, in this case NBA players, who blazed a trail that many followed. Those who the youth playing basketball pattern their game after, the ones who all the pundits on TV and the influencers on IG are talking about because they are living and breathing content machines. Those who the scouts are always searching for the next version of, the ones who nbadraft.net will frequently comp to discuss how talented a future pick is, or the capabilities believed to exist within them.
This list, like all of my lists up to this point, is ordered 1-10 because this list, like all of my lists up to this point, isn’t ranked. 1-10 in order of the year each player was drafted in hopes of painting a picture of how influence has shifted over the years, and through these players I trust we will get a vivid picture of why the NBA is what it is today.
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The Top Most Influential Players Drafted since 1990 are…
Shaquille O'Neal | 1992, #1 Pick, Orlando Magic
The most dominant player drafted in my lifetime. The big fella who knew there were no limits to the power he could exercise on the floor, so much so that the zone defenses, which previously weren’t allowed in the NBA, were once again allowed.
Shaq was fully aware that limitations didn’t exist off the court either, striking countless endorsements deals, starring in multiple films (whether we like them or not), and perhaps most notably becoming the first and only professional athlete to release an album that went platinum. An album that included a feature from the Notorious B.I.G.
Kevin Garnett | 1995, #5 Pick, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett’s decision to bypass the NCAA—going directly from Farragut Academy in Chicago to the NBA—in 1995 was revolutionary. The Big Ticket wasn’t the first to make the preps to pros leap but he was the loudest and most influential because his jump created an era. Without Kevin Garnett creating that Preps to Pros phenomenon we don’t get the Age requirement implemented in 2006 which created the one and done era that we live in now.
Garnett taught this generation of American basketball players that talent should be the only prerequisite when it comes to making your millions.
Allen Iverson | 1996, #1 Pick, Philadelphia 76ers
Before ChatGPT AI mostly meant Allen Iverson in my world. Allen Iverson, who brought swag to the NBA on and off the court. Early in his career he made his presence felt with highlight reel dunks, and the killer crossover that he famously hit on his hero Michael Jordan. As he grew older he grew his hair, got it braided, got tattoos, started wearing an arm sleeve, & essentially brought hip-hop culture to the league on & off the court, so much so that he was surely one of the reasons NBA implemented a dress code, which has since been relaxed.
Kobe Bryant | 1996, #13 Pick, Charlotte Hornets traded to Los Angeles Lakers
The Black Mamba averaged 25 points per game in his career and shot 44.7% making 11,719 shots while missing 14,481—the most shots missed in NBA history. This is significant to say about Kobe Bryant because some consider him the best basketball player ever on a skill level. The L.A. Lakers trusted him so much that on his way to winning 5 rings he was able to “fail” more than anyone in NBA history because no one out-worked him or loved the game more. The Mamba Mentality is what ANYONE pursuing greatness is reaching because of Bean.
When the Dream Team made the rest of the world look like JV Players in the 1992 Olympics there were hoopers like Dirk Nowitzki watching. The same Dirk who went on to score 30,000 points becoming the best international player drafted during my lifetime. Players like Dirk are the reason why European players like Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic thrive the way they do in the league & why you’ll always see a European prospect drafted as a Lottery Pick.. The reason why excessive height is no longer a valid excuse for not attempting and making three pointers.
LeBron James | 2003, #1 Pick, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James is the greatest player drafted during my lifetime. His accolades on and off the court are a mile long, so much so that I could have easily done this list as 10 Incredible Things LeBron Has Accomplished while in the NBA.
The King, while being the face of player empowerment, and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire should be remembered for being this era’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The player who scored the most points, performed at the highest level for the longest time, and has contributed to making the world a better place off the court.
JJ Redick | 2006, #11 Pick, Orlando Magic
JJ Redick was the first active NBA Player to host a podcast which means one could argue he created what we call “the new media.” The New Media where players, active and retired, use platforms, often podcasts, to provide their own perspective on the comings and goings of the NBA. An opportunity that wasn’t allowed to them for decades before the advent of podcasts and social media.
Kevin Durant is the face of the super team. When Kevin Durant, arguably the best pure scorer this game has ever seen, joined the Warriors in the summer of ‘16, fresh off being defeated by them weeks earlier in the Playoffs he sent shockwaves through the NBA that has led to a virtual destruction of any middle class among NBA players. Superteams, which used to be the opportunity of a lifetime for NBA Owners has now become a burden. All because the 2017 Warriors were so good that barring injuries they would have three-peated instead of “only” repeating.
Steph Curry | 2009, #7 Pick, Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry is the greatest shooter in the history of basketball. He (and perhaps Coach Mike D’antoni more so) is a large reason why a lot of NBA regular season games resemble a combination of pickup game and three point contest. The NBA’s all time leader in 3 pointers made has created a league that shoots SO MANY threes & has made some speculate on whether or not the NBA should create a 4-pointer.
Steph also paved the way for guards like Dame Lillard, CJ McCollum and Ja Morant to be drafted from small D1 schools and thrive in the league.
Kawhi Leonard | 2011, #15 Pick, Indiana Pacers traded to San Antonio Spurs
Kawhi Leonard is the face of load management, especially because of the way he was able to lead the Toronto Raptors to the Franchise’s only championship in 2019.
Kawhi's health has been a big issue since he got injured in what some consider a dirty play by Zaza Pachulia. These factors influenced the NBA to adjust by punishing players who step into the landing space of shooters and making it so you have to play at least 65 games in the regular season to qualify for regular season awards which cost &/or add millions dollars to a player’s salary.
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thoughts on where you would place D. Wade or Giannis if you had to? perhaps too early for Giannis rn.
i came here to pick a fight or disagree but realized the list was just too good. especially with the inclusion of Kevin Garnet!!