HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Basketball Forwards are the all-around players on the court. The best forwards like Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen and Dominque Wilkins could do it all - pass, shoot and dribble.
Dolph Schayes played 706 consecutive games from 1952-1961. Only three players in NBA history have had longer skeins. Going pro the year before the founding of the NBA, Schayes finally retired in 1964.
Scottie Pippen ranked with the best all-around players in basketball, dominating in defense, rebounds and passing. He was an integral member of the Chicago Bulls during their title run in the 1990s. Read about this great NBA Forward.
Kevin McHale may have been the best low-post scorer in basketball history. He retired in 1993 and later went on to become the vice-president of basketball operations in Minnesota. Learn more about this Celtics forward and his career averages.
Advertisement
Cheryl Miller was the first woman basketball player to dunk in organized play. She was the first woman to be nominated for the Sullivan Award, which is given to the nation's top amateur athlete. Read more about Cheryl Miller and her road to the Hall of Fame.
Karl Malone's average points and rebounds made him the only NBA player in the top five in both categories. He holds the record for the most free throws attempted and made, and is second in all-time scoring. Read about Karl Malone's totals and honors.
Dan Issel holds the ABA record for most points in a season and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. He retired from basketball in 1985 and had amassed 27,482 points throughout his career. Learn about Dan Issel and his career totals.
Bernard King shot 51.7 percent from the field during his career and 58.8 percent in 1980-81. However, legal problems and alcohol abuse stopped him from becoming a star in the eyes of the fans.
Advertisement
In 11 professional seasons, Billy Cunningham averaged 21.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He also had a successful coaching career where he brought his team to the NBA finals three times. Read about this Hall of Fame basketball player.
Joe Fulks pioneered the use of the jump shot in professional basketball. He was on the NBA Silver Anniversary Team in 1970 and elected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 1977, one year after his death.
Athlete-turned-statesman Bill Bradley found success in every arena. After his career in basketball ended in 1977, Bradley was elected to the U.S. Senate. Read about Bradley's remarkable career.
Charles Barkley was the shortest NBA player ever to claim a rebounding title. When he retired, he was one of four players to record at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. Read about this Hall of Fame basketball player.
Advertisement
Rick Barry boasted that no defender could stop him; scoring came naturally to this Hall of Fame basketball player. He retired in 1980 with 25.279 points and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Elgin Baylor is basketball's answer to Ernie Banks: the best in his sport never to win a championship. He set an NBA record in 1960 for scoring the most points in a single game with 71 points. Read about this Hall of Fame basketball player.
Paul Arizin, known as 'Pitchin' Paul,' was one of the first NBA players to master the jump shot. He retired from professional play in 1962 with 16,266 career points. Arzin was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977.
