The
50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History (also referred to as
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team or
NBA's Top 50) were chosen in 1996 to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the
National Basketball Association (NBA). These fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former players and coaches, and current and former general managers. In addition, the top ten
head coaches and top ten
single-season teams in NBA history were selected by media members as part of the celebration. The fifty players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of
position played.