Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander in NBA Top 80
CBS Sports proposes a hypothetical NBA 80th anniversary team, adding four players to the existing 75th anniversary list.
CBS Sports has proposed a hypothetical NBA Top 80 list to mark the league's 80th season. The exercise would add four new players to the official 76-player list chosen for the NBA's 75th anniversary in 2021. That original list, a who's who of Hall of Famers, can be found on our stats page.
All players selected for the 75th anniversary team would retain their spots. The selection process, as described by CBS Sports, judges players only on their accomplishments through the 2025-26 season, giving retired players with complete careers an edge.
The no-brainers: Jokić and SGA
Two players are considered automatic selections. Nikola Jokić, who had just won his first MVP when the 2021 list was published, has since added two more MVP trophies and a championship. Shaquille O'Neal made the earlier top 50 list with no MVP awards and only four years of experience, setting a precedent for valuing potential.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had not made an All-Star team by 2021. He has since won two MVP awards and a championship. The source states he is one of the 80 greatest players in NBA history.
Who are the candidates for the last two slots?
With Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander selected, two spots remain. CBS Sports establishes clear parameters for consideration, focusing on MVP awards, championships, or leading a team to the Finals. You can see how current players stack up in the standings race.
Of the 76 players chosen in 2021, 58 had won championships. Only six players on that list had neither a championship nor a Finals appearance: Dave Bing, Carmelo Anthony, George Gervin, Pete Maravich, Damian Lillard and Dominique Wilkins.
The MVP winners
Two MVP winners not on the 2021 list are examined. Derrick Rose's prime was cut short by injury after his 2011 MVP season; he never reached the Finals or made another All-NBA Team.
Joel Embiid, despite a similar total points scored to Rose, has a stronger case. He has made five All-NBA Teams and three All-Defensive Teams. The source notes that Embiid dwarfs Rose in most all-in-one metrics.
Players who led a single championship or
Finals team
This category includes newly eligible champions. Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson are the two new members of the best player on a championship team club, with Stephen Curry already on the 2021 list.
| Player | All-Star Selections | First-Team All-NBA | Total Points (approx.) | Finals MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | Twice as many as Brunson | 4 | 3,000+ more than Brunson | No |
| Jalen Brunson | Half as many as Tatum | 0 | - | Yes |
Tatum has a more complete case with more All-Star and All-NBA selections. Brunson's advantages are a Finals MVP award and more efficient offense, especially in clutch situations. The source suggests you might genuinely choose Brunson if your life was on the line in a single game.
The article also examines leaders of Finals teams without a title. It notes that by 2026, Victor Wembanyama may demand inclusion, but he has not yet accomplished enough.
Two prominent names are highlighted. Dwight Howard, a notable snub in 2021, has seven All-NBA selections, a championship, and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Luka Dončić has six First-Team All-NBA selections; all 21 other players with that many selections are on an official list or in this update. Dončić has a wide statistical gap over other candidates, though lacks a championship.
The 2021 list mostly ignored secondary stars from dynasties. The San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were not selected, nor were the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson or Draymond Green. The late-2000s Lakers' Pau Gasol was also omitted.
The source points out that the 1997 top 50 list frequently included such players, creating a discrepancy in selection criteria across eras. For more on team rosters, check our squad pages.
Source: CBS Sports