The NBA of the 1950s was a very different time than today. Much of the moves that are legal today would not be in those days, but there were also fewer teams and not as many out of this world athletes.
That being said, the legends of that era still deserve our respect. Here is a list of the ten best players to lace it up for the Association in the 1950s.
PPG: 23.1 RPG: 13.4 APG: N/A
George Mikan: Mikan was a pioneering big man that suited up for the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s, leading them to five NBA championships and earning four All-NBA First Team honors. He was the first truly dominant big man in the NBA and was known for his scoring ability and his physical style of play. Undoubtedly paving the way for the many that followed him.
PPG: 18.4 RPG: 5.2 APG: 7.5
Bob Cousy: Hardwood Houdini, aka Bob Cousy was a wizard of a point guard for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s, leading them to six NBA championships and earning eight All-NBA First Team honors. He was known for his 360 court vision and laser passing ability. His leadership on and off the court was unquestioned.
PPG:15.1 RPG: 22.5 APG: 4.3
Bill Russell: Russell was a defensive lord for the Celtics in the 1950s, earning five All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Celtics to their first NBA championship in 1957. He was an incomparable rebounder and shot blocker, and his 11 NBA championships remains unmatched to this day. Unlikely to ever be approximated.
PPG: 18.5 RPG: 12.1 APG: 3.1
Dolph Schayes: Schayes was a multi-talented and well-rounded power forward for the Syracuse Nationals in the 1950s, earning 12 All-Star Game selections and leading the Nationals to an NBA championship in 1955. He was a skilled scorer and an excellent rebounder, and he was known for his consistency on the court.
PPG: 23.4 RPG: 8.3 APG: N/A
Neil Johnston: A true force in his prime, Johnston racked up wins for the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1950s, earning five All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Warriors to the NBA championship in 1956. He was a dominant scorer and rebounder, and he was known for his physical style of play.
PPG: 26.4 RPG: 16.2 APG: 3.0
Bob Pettit: One of the best power forwards of the 1950s, Bob Pettit played for the St. Louis Hawks in the 1950s, earning six All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Hawks to the NBA Finals in 1957 and 1958. He was a skilled scorer and an excellent rebounder, and he was known for his consistency on the court.
PPG: 22.8 RPG: 8.6 APG: N/A
Paul Arizin: Arizin was a dominant small forward for the Warriors in the 1950s, earning five All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Warriors to the NBA championship in 1956. He was a skilled scorer and an excellent shooter, and he was known for his clutch performances in big games.
PPG: 15.3 RPG: 3.7 APG: 3.4
Max Zaslofsky: A wily and gifted shooting guard for the Chicago Stags and New York Knicks in the 1950s, Zaslofsky earned two All-NBA First Team honors and led the league in scoring in 1951. He was a skilled scorer and an excellent shooter, and he was known for his flashy style of play.
PPG: 15.6 RPG: 8.3 APG: 3.6
Ed Macauley: Macauley was a dominant center for the St. Louis Bombers and Boston Celtics in the 1950s, earning six All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Celtics to two NBA championships. He was a skilled scorer and an excellent shooter, and he was known for his leadership on the court.
PPG: 12.9 RPG: 8.9 APG: N/A
Vern Mikkelsen: Mikkelsen was an elite talent ahead of his time for the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s, earning six All-NBA First Team honors and leading the Lakers to four NBA championships. He was a dominant rebounder and an excellent defender, and he was known for his physical style of play.
