Those NBA stars making millions of dollars, winning NBA titles and MVP awards and deciding the fates of franchises? They all were kids once, including living legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johsnon, or even someone known for being a destructive force of nature like Shaquille O’Neal and still active LeBron James.

It’s nice thinking about how when certain players were growing up, playing basketball in Junior High, they actually looked up to some of the guys on this list as well. Like LeBron James, who entered the NBA in 2003. When he was starting getting really good (probably around the age of 11-12), he was watching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen winning NBA titles with the Bulls.

Kid Michael Jordan

The popular choice for greatest player in NBA history, Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, six Finals MVP, five regular season MVP awards and the scoring title 10 times.

Magic Johnson

Probably the greatest point guard that ever lived, Johnson retired as a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, winning 3 Finals MVPs and 3 regular season MVP awards.

LeBron James

LeBron James is usually considered the best player in the NBA for the last five seasons, winning four MVP awards, two NBA titles and two NBA Finals MVPs.

Charles Barkley

Maybe the greatest NBA player in history to retire without an NBA championship, Barkley won the MVP award in 1993 and reached the NBA finals once in that same season with the Suns.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal spent 18 seasons in the NBA, winning four NBA titles; three with the Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. He’s a one-time regular season MVP and a three-time Finals MVP.

Scottie Pippen

A six-time NBA champions next to Michael Jordan and the 90’s Bulls, Pippen spent 17 years in the NBA, making 8 All-Defensive first teams.

Kobe Bryant

A one-time regular season MVP, Kobe Bryant is also a five-time NBA champion, playing his entire NBA career (starting in 1996) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has two Finals MVP awards and is a two-time NBA scoring champion.

Allen Iverson

Iverson won the MVP award with the 76ers in 2001, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA finals. He also led the league in scoring four times, all during his time with the Sixers.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is entering his 16th NBA season, all with the Dallas Mavericks, where he owns almost every record in the book. Nowitzki is a one-time NBA champions (2011), a one-time MVP winner and one-time finals MVP.

Alonzo Mourning

A fantastic defensive player, Mourning won the NBA championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat and overall played 15 seasons in the NBA with Charlotte, New Jersey and Miami during two tenures.

Chris Bosh

A two-time NBA champions with the Miami Heat, Bosh has been in the NBA since 2003, part of that loaded draft, spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Toronto Raptors.

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