When Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star Anthony Edwards seemed to throw shade at the skill level of players from yesteryear, it drew the ire of several legends. The NBA’s next superstar questioned the talent of those playing in the 1990s and before, suggesting that barring Michael Jordan, nobody else had ‘skill’.
I didn’t watch it back in the day so I can’t speak on it. They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then. [Michael Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe [Bryant], they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill.
Well, we asked ChatGPT to rank the 10 most skilled NBA players of all-time, and it’s fair to say it threw up plenty of surprises. From not having one of the greatest players in history, LeBron James, to ranking Steph Curry outside the top five, it’s a list that is sure to divide opinion and create debate among fans. Find out below exactly who made the list.
Ranking Factors
Scoring versatility – can they score from all three levels?
Ball handling
Shooting
Passing and playmaking
Footwork and fundamentals
10
Dirk Nowitzki
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
One of the greatest scoring big men of all-time, Dirk Nowitzki spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks, redefining what it is to be a power forward and stretching the floor like no other. Nowitzki’s game was so elite and ahead of its time, that nowadays, more and more players with a similar size are looking to expand their shooting range and becoming a stretch four.
What ChatGPT said: Dirk revolutionized the power forward position with his shooting ability. His one-legged fadeaway is one of the most iconic and unguardable shots ever. At 7 feet tall, his skill to stretch the floor and score from outside transformed offensive schemes league-wide. Dirk had elite touch, footwork, and balance, making him one of the most technically skilled big men in history.
9
Allen Iverson
Perhaps nobody comes close to matching Allen Iverson’s charisma and style pound-for-pound. As a short combo guard, AI naturally had the attention of a wide range of basketball fans who looked at him as very much relatable, and he more than delivered on his early promise. A supreme scorer armed with one of the best handles and devastating crossovers the game has ever seen, Iverson was very much a street baller who made his style work in the NBA.
What ChatGPT said: AI was a pioneer of guard skill, with a deadly crossover and elite ability to finish despite his 6-foot frame. His ball-handling, speed, and midrange pull-up game made him nearly unstoppable one-on-one. Iverson brought streetball creativity into the NBA, influencing a generation of guards.
8
Magic Johnson
While many point to Magic Johnson’s height and size as one of the main reasons why he is regarded as the best point guard of all-time – and yes, that advantage was significant to say the least – that does somewhat discredit and take away the sheer incredible passing skills that the Los Angeles Lakers star had.
Whether it was throwing through the needle passes or leading the Showtime Lakers in transition, Magic could play any pass necessary and quite importantly, could see it before anyone too.
What ChatGPT said: Magic wasn’t the most gifted scorer, but his skill as a passer, playmaker, and game-controller was unmatched. At 6’9”, his ability to handle the ball, run fast breaks, and thread impossible passes changed how point guards were defined. He could post up smaller guards, play every position, and elevate teammates through vision and timing.
7
Stephen Curry
Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
It’s no surprise to see the greatest shooter in NBA history make it onto this list of the most skilled players of all-time. Aside from even what he displays on a nightly basis in terms of actual games, the countless videos and footage of him just hitting incredible shots either in shootaround or pre-game just boggles the mind.
From half-court splashes to spot-up snipes, Curry can do it all when it comes to shooting from range, while his handles are somewhat underrated. The Golden State Warriors star is one of the best scorers in NBA history, and it’s unlikely anyone will ever take his top spot of being the best shooter either.
What ChatGPT said: The greatest shooter of all time, Curry revolutionized basketball with his limitless range and off-ball movement. His handles are elite, and his finishing ability — often overlooked — is highly skilled for his size. Curry’s ability to shoot off the dribble, off the catch, and under intense defensive pressure makes him unique.
6
Larry Bird
One of the greatest players in Boston Celtics history, Larry Bird was involved in one of the NBA’s best rivalries during the 1980s when he and his teammates took on Magic Johnson and co of the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird could simply do it all, being an elite shooter and ahead of his time when it came to the three-point shot, a mid-range assassin, and acrobatic and creative finisher at the rim.
Given he wasn’t most the explosive of athletes – especially when compared to the likes of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins – Bird more than made up for it with his sheer skill and IQ.
What ChatGPT said: Bird’s athleticism was limited, but his skill level was off the charts. One of the greatest shooters ever, he had elite passing vision, craftiness in the post, and deceptive handles. Bird could shoot off the dribble, run the offense as a point forward, and outthink opponents with his basketball IQ.
5
Hakeem Olajuwon
A two-time NBA title winner, Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to great success in the 1990s. The center belied his height and size with some of the most incredible footwork you could ever wish to see, and had such a deep range of moves and finishes that opposition defenders simply had no answer for him.
It is a testament to his greatness that he beat the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson among many other Hall of Fame and All-Star centers during his career, and in terms of pure skill, Olajuwon surely ranks top.
What ChatGPT said: The gold standard for footwork in the post, Hakeem’s “Dream Shake” remains one of the most iconic moves in basketball history. He blended agility, balance, and finesse with size and power. Hakeem could face up, back down, or spin out of double teams, and he had the touch to finish with hooks, fadeaways, and up-and-unders.
4
Kevin Durant
Now onto the man who many people describe as one of the best scorers of the modern game. Kevin Durant has the height of a forward but the ball-handling and shooting touch of a guard, and he has combined both to become one of the most unguardable players in the league today. Now a Houston Rocket, Durant has long leveraged his abilities into being a genuine number one option for a championship-winning team like he was with the Golden State Warriors, while he was an unstoppable scorer during his MVP days with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What ChatGPT said: At 7 feet tall with the ball-handling of a guard, Durant is one of the most unguardable players ever. His ability to shoot over anyone — combined with a smooth midrange, deadly three-point stroke, and efficient finishing — makes him a walking bucket. Durant’s skill set is unprecedented for his size, giving him a versatility edge.
3
Kyrie Irving
When you talk about pure basketball skill, Kyrie Irving place among the all-time greats is pretty much secure. His ball-handling is on an other-worldly level compared to his peers, with the Dallas Mavericks star able to find space and manouevre defenders this way and that to his will. Whether it’s freezing defenders with a hesi, or getting them stumbling with a mean stepback or crossover, Kyrie is the epitome of what a skilful basketball player looks like.
What ChatGPT said: Arguably the best ball-handler in NBA history, Kyrie’s ability to manipulate defenses with dribbles, spins, hesitations, and finishes around the rim is artistry. His finishing package with both hands is unparalleled for a guard his size, and he’s an elite three-level scorer.
2
Michael Jordan
Most people’s choice for the greatest NBA player of all-time, Michael Jordan makes it onto second on this list of the most skilled players in history. Aside from his unrivalled athleticism, MJ was the ultimate two guard who could get to his spot anywhere and everyone on the court, and had the kind of deep bag in his locker that could see him change shot in mid-air or glide past defenders to finish at the rim.
What ChatGPT said: Jordan wasn’t just a freak athlete — his skill made him unstoppable. His footwork in the mid-post, ability to finish with either hand, and mastery of fundamentals separated him from his peers. Jordan could shoot, slash, post up, and defend at elite levels, all while maintaining efficiency.
1
Kobe Bryant
And now onto the man who ChatGPT rank as the most skilled player of all-time in the NBA, Kobe Bryant became one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Lakers history by virtue of mastering so many of the things that Michael Jordan himself was great at. Whether it was his work in the mid-range and ability to pull up and hit his shot over any defender, or his excellent footwork in the post, Kobe even added the threat of a three-point shot in the clutch to keep teams guessing which way he would go.
What ChatGPT said: Kobe embodied the definition of skill — his footwork, midrange mastery, and offensive arsenal were nearly unmatched. He patterned much of his game after Michael Jordan, but added his own flavor with advanced counters, post work, and an obsessive dedication to refining details. Kobe could score from anywhere on the floor, handle the ball like a guard, and lock down defensively.