What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Click through the gallery to see who makes it onto the list of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Joel Embiid, Cameroonian center and league scoring champion for the Philadelphia 76ers, is starting to pave a path of his own. Embiid was named the NBA's most valuable player for the 2022-23 season—only the league's second winner from Africa—beating out two-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets with 73 votes compared to Jokic's 19, per the BBC.
The 29-year-old averaged 33.1 points to win his second straight scoring title, averaged 10.2 rebounds and tied a career high with 4.2 assists per game. Embiid played in 66 games this season, the second-highest total of his career, but suffered injuries in the playoffs and has been sidelined with a sprained right knee, though his team won the opening game of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Boston on May 1, 2023. Many are waiting in anticipation to see whether Embiid can make it to the roster of the best of the best in the NBA.
LeBron James will go down in history as one of the greatest the sport has ever known (if not the actual greatest). He broke the NBA's all-time scoring record in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 7, surpassing the record that six-time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held for 39 years with 38,387 points. At the end of the third quarter, James scored his 36th point of the game and 38,388th of his career, and the crowd at Crypto.com Arena went wild. Officials even paused the game and James' family came out to embrace him. Abdul-Jabbar was also in attendance to happily hand over the crown.
Thanks to his unbelievable performance in the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo has firmly carved out his spot in sporting history. The young player had been making waves towards the end of the season, scoring 40 points in multiple games, but his exploits in the final were legendary. Antetokounmpo single-handedly carried the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. He scored 50 of their 105 points, as well as getting 14 rebounds, five blocks, and nailing his free throw. His performance was unparalleled and he was named the NBA Finals MVP.
NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers icon Elgin Baylor passed away on March 21, age 86, leaving an incredible legacy behind. The 11-time All-Star, known for his acrobatic athleticism, is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, setting a precedent throughout the 1960s that paved the way for players like Michael Jordan.
Baylor helped the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals eight times. He also played in 11 NBA All-Star Games.
The basketball legend tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26 of 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. The 18-time all-star was one of the most brilliant players in NBA history.
Shaq's dominance was second to none. That's why he's one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
"The Round Mound of Rebound" is one of only four players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He's widely regarded as one of the best ever in his sport.
Bob Pettit was the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
"CP3" is arguably the best point guard of his generation.
Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, and is quite possibly the best shooter in NBA history.
In the 2017-18 season, Westbrook became the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double twice in his career.
Miller is one of the greatest shooters and scorers in the Indiana Pacers' history.
One of the greatest players of his generation, Durant has an average of 27.0 points per game.
The German big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Finals.
The point guard par excellence is in the top 10 for career steals per game.
"The Mailman" sits in third place in the NBA value over replacement player statistic, behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Also known as the "The Big Ticket," "The Kid," and "KG," Garnett made the All-Star team in just his second season.
Wade has recently retired, with an average of 22.0 points per game.
Pippen played a crucial role in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship wins in the '90s. He was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times!
"Dr. J" scored an average 22.0 points per game in 11 NBA seasons.
West was the only player to have ever won the Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team. This was in 1969.
"The Admiral" went down in history as one of the best San Antonio Spurs players ever.
With 181 triple doubles, "The Big O" is yet to have his record beaten.
Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon had amazing footwork for such a big player.
A dominant giant in his time, Chamberlain is still the NBA's best rebounder.
Besides Bill Russell, "Larry Legend" is probably the Boston Celtics' most iconic player of all time.
There's a reason why Shaquille O'Neal dubbed Tim Duncan as "The Big Fundamental." Duncan's skills were indeed outstanding!
One of the NBA's best all-around players ever, the Lakers' point guard became an idol in the sport.
Another NBA living legend, for a long time Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the highest number of points scored, with 38,387. He was surpassed only by LeBron James in 2023.
MJ is often quoted as the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is a true living legend of the sport.
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The greatest basketball players of all time
Today is National Basketball Day
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With basketball invented in 1891 and the NBA founded in 1949, generations of basketball lovers have been fortunate enough to witness the talents of amazingly skilled players. But amongst all these flashy pros, who stands out? Which players can truly consider themselves the best of the best?
Click through the gallery to see who makes it onto the list of the greatest basketball players of all time.