6. Kevin Garnett
The godfather to the concept of the “unicorn” players we’re seeing in today’s NBA, Kevin Garnett possessed the basketball skills to legitimately play all five positions on the court, combined with an elite work ethic, the on-court ferocity of a wounded lion, and the basketball IQ that stacks up with any of the games greatest players. After playing 13 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he became the team’s all-time leader in games, minutes, points, steals, assists, rebounds, blocks, and free throws, while being named an All-Star 12 times in that span.
And after being traded to the Boston Celtics prior to the start of the 2007-2008 NBA season, Garnett’s NBA Championship win in 2008 became the official capstone to a sterling NBA career. The 15-time All-Star and 12-time All-Defensive Team selection is, without question, of the game’s greatest players — ever.