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.