Show notes:

My NBA next 26 players, part 1 (00:39)

Upon the announcement of the NBA's top 76 players of all time, I compiled 26 players who you could make a case for being on the list.

My list contains the following:

3 league MVPs

9 Rookie of the Year winners

2 Finals MVPs

13 Hall of Famers

11 players who won championships (6 multi winners)

3 Defense Players of the Year winners

8 who made the All-Defense team

4 scoring champs

2 Most Improved Player of the Year winners

7 number 1 picks overall in their respective drafts

So here we go (in alphabetical order)...

LaMarcus Aldridge - model of consistency for 13 seasons (18.6 PPG, 8.5 R, 49% FG in that span)

Walt Bellamy - great player in his own right but played in the shadow of giants Wilt Chamberlain & Bill Russell

Chauncey Billups - Mr Big Shot; a late bloomer but the maestro of 2003-04 champion Detroit Pistons

Chris Bosh - unsung member of the Miami Big 3; a dynamic player with Toronto who altered his game during his time with the Heat

Vince Carter - high flyer who was dominant his 1st 11 seasons but bounced around the league his last 11

Adrian Dantley - phenomenal scorer (4 straight seasons averaging 30+ PPG) who is often overlooked given his height & ability

Joe Dumars - great 2 way player for the Detroit Pistons of the late 80s & the GM & architect of those early 2000s Piston teams

Alex English - a fantastic scorer many said was snubbed from the NBA 50 list & snubbed yet again

Pau Gasol - Spanish phenom who was as consistent a big man for his 1st 15 seasons (18 PPG, 9.5 R, 1.7 BK, 51% FG)

Paul George - current 2 way player who could very well make the NBA 100 list when all is said & done

Artis Gilmore - intimidating big who played in the era of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dave Cowens & Bill Walton

Manu Ginobili - slept-on Argentinian star who was the catalyst from the bench for the San Antonio Spurs dynasty