2nd Team

Center

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Jabbar played all 10 seasons in the decade, was an All-Star in each, and punctuated five with NBA titles, earning Finals MVP honors in 1984-85. He wasn’t at top speed when the ’80s rolled in, lost velocity as they went on, and still provided the fifth-most points, ninth-most rebounds, third-most blocks, and fifth-most win shares.

Forward

Dominique Wilkins

The Human highlight reel could do more than just dunk; he could flat out fill it up on offense. He led the league in scoring four All-Star selections, four All-NBA honors, and a second place in the 1985-86 MVP race.

Forward

Alex English

Alex English was the beneficiary of Doug Moe’s fast-paced offense in the 80s, but he still had to put the ball in the basket, and that’s just what he did, averaging 25.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per night. He shot 51.0 per cent from the field and 83.8 per cent from the line. During this stretch, he took home the 1982-83 scoring title, one of his six top-five finishes in points per game.

Shooting Guard

Sidney Moncrief

Moncrief was not flashy, but he was as complete a guard as you will ever find. Five All-Star nods, five All-NBA selections, and five All-Defensive honors. If not for a degenerative knee problem, who would go down as one of the greatest all-around guards to ever play the game. This selection came down to Sidney or George Gervin, and I know Gervin was a points machine, but Moncrief was the better player all around.

Point Guard

Isaiah Thomas

Thomas was a ferocious player and was at his best in the clutch. When Thomas arrived in Detroit, the franchise was in shambles, and in just a few years, they were legit contenders, and by the end of the decade, they were World Champions.

First Team

Center

Moses Malone

Malone gets left out of the conversation when people discuss the greatest Centers of all time, which is wrong. Malone started the decade and helped guide the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals, and the Rockets were a .500 team! He then arrived in Philadelphia and, in his very first year as a 76er, led Philly to a world championship. During the ’80s, he averaged 24.5 points and 13.2 rebounds. No one grabbed more boards during the decade (or came within 2,000 of his total), and only Alex English scored more points.  

Forward

Larry Bird

Bird, much like Malone, was just a relentless competitor! Bird snagged nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA honors (all first-team), three MVP awards (all in a row), three championships, and two Finals MVPs. Bird was a player who could do it all, but his best attribute was his desire and ability to make everyone around him better.

1.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

2.

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

3.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.

4.2/5

Fanatics Review

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Review

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Best Alternative

Open FanDuel

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Forward

Kevin McHale

The 6’10” forward did everything. He was the original super-sub, the first repeat Sixth Man of the Year winner in the award’s history. He had some unstoppable force and immovable object, averaging 21-plus points four times and making five All-Defensive teams in the decade.

Shooting Guard

Michael Jordan

Jordan only played half the decade, but the way he played made it more than enough years to find him on this list. His first years with the Bulls found him as the only hope to stay in a game. The amazing thing is that he got some awful Bulls teams to the playoffs his first couple of years.

Point Guard

Magic Johnson

Much like Bird, Magic made everybody around him a better player, plus it doesn’t hurt when you can play not only point guard but every other position on the court! The 1980 NBA Finals proved how special Magic was in game 6, with Kareem Abdul Jabbar unable to play Magic played center and scored 42 points.