Allen Iverson, Steve Nash or John Stockton Ahead of Isiah Thomas? Analysts Refuses to Accept the Same

ESPN released its list of top 74 NBA players of all time but Michael Wilbon didn’t particularly agree with all the rankings. Former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas, he felt, was too low in the list than he deserved.

“There are three guys who are ahead of Isiah Thomas,” Wilbon said on Pardon the Interruption. “You can’t have Allen Iverson ahead of Thomas. I can’t put Steve Nash, who never been to the finals, ahead of Isiah. (And) John Stockton– that’s three.”

Isiah Thomas was a part of the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons. He played for Pistons for the entirety of his NBA career between 1981 and 1994. In his 13-year career, he was a 12-time NBA All-Star, missing out only in his rookie season. He won two consecutive Championships in 1989 and 1990.

Wilbon was clearly unhappy to see the Pistons legend below the likes of Iverson, Nash, and Stockton. He, however, didn’t have much to argue about the Top 10.

ESPN’s Top 10

10. Shaquille O’Neal

9. Kobe Bryant

8. Tim Duncan

7. Larry Bird

6. Wilt Chamberlain

5. Magic Johnson

4. Bill Russell

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2. LeBron James

1. Michael Jordan

It is indeed difficult to argue and pick the best of the best. Very few, however, would argue with the top 2. Jordan’s greatness is currently being celebrated with the release of his documentary- The Last Dance. Wilbon himself has admitted how much he has enjoyed watching the docuseries.

The 10-episode series has aired eight episodes so far talking about various aspects of Jordan’s incredible career. Although Wilbon has known the Bulls legend, he admitted that watching the series has been special.

“It’s got additive value, because even if you thought you knew everything, you didn’t know his take. And the importance to me, the value of this [documentary] to me, number one, is Michael’s take,” Wilbon told Variety.

Apart from Isiah Thomas, Wilbon felt Dwyane Wade should have been higher

James and Jordan at the top of the rankings might not surprise anybody although arguments of who would be top are never-ending. Wilbon’s arguments in the rankings have been more towards the latter part of the list. Another point he noted was Dwyane Wade should have been ahead of Jerry West.