15. Isiah Thomas: Thomas’ time in the 90s was short, but he was effective. His veteran leadership helped the Pistons win 2 NBA Championships, he was also given an All-Star nod 5 times.
14. Gary Payton
Payton or “The Glove” is arguably the best perimeter defender to ever play basketball, he earned his nickname rightfully. He was a 5 time All-Star and 6 time All-NBA player, Payton was also top 5 in Defensive Player of the year for 6 straight years while taking one home.
13. Clyde Drexler
Drexler was a good player during the 80s, but when the 1990s hit, Drexler really hit his stride, which gave him 7 All-Star appearances and numerous All-NBA appearances.
12. Dikembe Mutombo
The 4 time Defensive Player of the Year won 3 of them in the 1990s, Mutombo is one of, if not the greatest rim defender in the history of the NBA. His defensive impact everywhere he went led to him getting 5 All-Star appearances including one of his rookie year.
11. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman won 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards in the 1990s, other than that, his game can not be expressed by awards other than championships, which he won 5 in the 90s. His defensive and rebounding instincts are what made him as special of a player as he is.
10. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller does not have the counting stats to match up with the other people on this list, but his impact compares to almost nobody. Reggie Miller revolutionized the three point-shot before Steph Curry was here, he paved the way for Curry and gave him an opening to be great.
9. Patrick Ewing
Ewing is one of the best bigs to ever play, he was one of the strongest players in the league and dominated around the basket on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball. He appeared in 8 All-Star games and was on an All-NBA team 5 times.
8. John Stockton
Stockton’s IQ, game management and efficiency is what made him the player he was, he is the All-time assist and steals leader in the NBA. He had great runs in the finals with Karl Malone but ultimately came up short each time.
7. Charles Barkley
Barkley showed out in the 1990s using his strength to make up for his stature and have a unique playing style, Barkley is one of the best pound for pound rebounders ever. He won a 1993 MVP with the Phoenix Suns and was the best player on a championship contender throughout the 90s.
6. Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen is the greatest sidekick of all time, he paired up with Michael Jordan and they became an unstoppable force. Pippen was consistently the best defender on the floor and had a very underrated playmaking aspect to him, he created shots for his teammates better than a lot of people in NBA history.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq came into the league as the first overall pick and made an immediate impact, making the All-Star team every year he had the chance, his athleticism and strength at his size made him an unstoppable force.. He led the Magic in 1995 to an NBA Finals run alongside his partner in crime, Penny Hardaway.
4. David Robinson
The Admiral filled his trophy room in the ’90s, earning a Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, and one Championship in 1999. He was an elite two-way player and paired perfectly with Tim Duncan when he was injured, and they came back and won the title.
3. Karl Malone
The Mail Man is one of the most consistent scorers of all time, he won 2 MVPs in the 1990s and would have a few championships if it weren’t for Michael Jordan and the Bulls. He was All-NBA first team every single year during the 90s and also appeared in every single all-star game.
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem The Dream Olajuwon was outstanding in the 90s; he won 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards and 1 MVP, and 2 NBA Finals MVPs. His quickness at his size is what made him special, he was able to pivot with his quick hands and elite footwork, one of the greatest bigs the game has ever seen.
1. Michael Jordan
Despite missing a year and half, MJ was the definitive greatest player of the 90s, He won 4 MVPs and 6 Finals MVPS. His influence and popularization of basketball around the globe made him one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball.
