Leadership is a skill that the best NBA players of all time have managed to utilize toward the path of success. Some of the best leaders ever include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson, as they elevated the play of those around them in their own ways. However, not every great player was a natural leader.
Some legendary stars have actually been unable to lead a team due to personality characteristics, lack of confidence, or other factors that have become evident when looking back at their legacies. Here are the 10 greatest NBA players of all time who lacked true leadership skills over their careers.
Kevin Durant
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Career Stats: 27.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Career Achievements: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2013-14 MVP, 13x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x Scoring Champion, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers of all time, winning four scoring titles and solidifying his claim as arguably the best offensive player of his generation. However, Durant has even admitted that he is not a leader and prefers to not have to deal with that aspect of being a superstar player. Rather, he just wants to play basketball and do what he does best: score.
The fact that arguably a top-15 talent of all time struggles with leadership is shocking but nonetheless true. Durant is not a vocal player, prefers to stay in the background, and hardly makes a fuss about not being the center of attention. Remember, this was the same player who was quiet when Russell Westbrook was taking more shots than him in the Oklahoma City Thunder days.
The superstar forward has achieved a ton over his career including 13 All-Star appearances and an MVP trophy, but the fact that he had to join a 73-9 Warriors team to win his only championships proves he is not a natural-born leader. Unless Durant can prove he can uplift the Phoenix Suns and carry them to a championship, the doubts about his leadership will cloud his otherwise legendary resume.
Allen Iverson
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Career Stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements: 2000-01 MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x All-Defensive Team Selection, 4x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 1996-97 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Allen Iverson, undoubtedly one of the most electrifying players in NBA history, showcased unparalleled scoring prowess and dazzling crossovers en route to an MVP trophy and a Finals run in the 2000-01 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, when it comes to leadership, the waters get a bit murky.
Despite being an iconic figure, Iverson’s leadership style often lacked the strategic finesse to lead a team to success. One evident aspect was his shoot-first mentality. While Iverson’s ability to put up points was awe-inspiring, as he won four scoring titles, it sometimes came at the expense of team cohesion because he dominated the ball so much.
Furthermore, Iverson’s practice habits, famously questioned in his “We talkin’ ’bout practice” rant, raised concerns about his commitment to team preparation. Leadership extends beyond game nights, and his raw desire to play in the NBA game and dominate it rather than focus on the “extras” hurt his legacy as a leader which might explain why he retired without a championship ring.
James Harden
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Career Stats: 24.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Career Achievements: 2017-18 MVP, 10x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year, 3x Scoring Champion, 2x Assist Champion
James Harden, a scoring maestro with three scoring titles and an MVP award, is an all-time great player who is not a natural leader. One notable aspect is Harden’s reliance on isolation plays. His isolation-heavy style, characterized by step-back threes and relentless drives to the basket, raises concerns about team involvement. Additionally, Harden’s defensive efforts have been a point of contention.
Leadership often involves setting the tone on both ends of the court, and Harden’s occasional lapses in defensive engagement made him a constant target for criticism even when he was winning scoring titles. Perhaps most importantly, The Beard has been known to force his way out of teams and caused chemistry damage to the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers over the past few seasons. It might not be long before he does it again to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rick Barry
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Career Stats: 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements: 1974-95 NBA Champion, 1974-75 Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 1966-67 Scoring Champion, 1974-75 Steals Champion, 1965-66 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Rick Barry, a Hall of Famer celebrated for his superstar scoring prowess (and unorthodox underhand free throw technique), was a great player who might not have been the most beloved and respected leader. One aspect that stands out is Barry’s reputation for being a demanding teammate. His competitive fire was a double-edged sword, driving excellence but sometimes rubbing teammates the wrong way.
Barry’s direct and at times confrontational approach could create tension within the team, potentially impacting the overall chemistry. Also, Barry’s lone-wolf mentality, evident in his preference for taking the last shot, raises questions about his ability to foster a collaborative team environment. Even off the court, Barry’s outspoken nature and clashes with management added another layer to his leadership narrative because he was just not a likable guy at times.
Pete Maravich
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Career Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Achievements: 5x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 1976-1977 Scoring Champion, Hall of Fame
Pete Maravich, the dazzling “Pistol Pete,” who was an icon during the 1970s due to his ball-handling skills and scoring prowess. However, when it comes to leadership, Maravich’s story takes a unique turn and those who followed his career would probably agree. After all, Maravich’s on-court brilliance was often a solo act, showcasing incredible moves and scoring feats that thrilled fans.
While undoubtedly a generational talent, his style of play sometimes raised questions about team cohesion. The emphasis on personal creativity and improvisation often came ahead of team dynamics. Off the court, his introspective and at times enigmatic personality added layers to the leadership narrative. Maravich’s talent for the game was evident, but his rather strange character made him an excellent individual player rather than a team-first guy.
Carmelo Anthony
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Career Stats: 22.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements: 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 2012-2013 Scoring Champion
Carmelo Anthony, a prolific scorer and 10-time NBA All-Star, is a first-ballot Hall of Famer who was admired but not regarded on the level of great leaders of his time including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant among others.
Anthony’s scoring ability is unquestionable, and he has often been the go-to option for his teams as he maintained a career scoring average of 22.5 PPG and won a scoring title in 2012-13 (28.7). However, some critics argue that his style of play, characterized by isolation-heavy sets, may not always contribute to optimal teamwork and there is evidence for that.
Throughout his career, Anthony has faced challenges in advancing deep into the postseason. He has 11 first-round exits over 13 appearances in the playoffs, as his deepest run came in the 2008-09 season with the Denver Nuggets (Western Conference Finals), and had another path to the second round with the New York Knicks in 2012-13. Other than that, Anthony’s greatness did not translate to postseason success and that was mainly because he was a score-first (and score-second) player more than a star who elevated others.
Kyrie Irving
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Career Stats: 23.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Career Achievements: 2015-16 NBA Champion, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2011-12 Rookie of the Year
Known for his mesmerizing handles and clutch performances including the game-winner in the 2016 NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving is a great individual talent who was never fit to be a leader. Despite being a point guard by status, Irving’s penchant for isolation plays and an individualistic style of play has sparked discussions about its impact on team cohesion. He has only averaged 5.7 assists per game for his career despite being an 8-time All-Star as a point guard.
While he also played a crucial role in Cleveland’s championship run in 2016, his departure from both teams left lingering questions about his compatibility within team structures. He also made a mess of his exit from the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, failing to lead them to success in the postseason.
Perhaps most importantly, Irving is very outspoken on issues he finds important and his sometimes baseless opinions have rubbed people on his team (and media) the wrong way. Irving has struggled at times with stardom and fame and that absolutely won’t cut it in terms of being a leader in the NBA.
Tracy McGrady
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Career Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Career Achievements: 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 2000-2001 Most Improved Player, 2x Scoring Champion, Hall of Fame
A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion, Tracy McGrady carved out a legacy as one of the most electrifying players in the league. At one point, McGrady was being placed in the same sentence as the great Kobe Bryant when discussing the best shooting guards in the NBA. McGrady’s scoring prowess was a spectacle, often carrying teams on his back with remarkable individual performances.
However, critics point to the limited playoff success during his prime as an indicator of potential gaps in his leadership impact which is a valid case. To the player’s credit, injuries played a significant role in McGrady’s career, impacting his availability and ability to lead consistently. He still had eight first-round exits as a player for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets in eight appearances.
McGrady did make it out of the first round with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2012-13 season at 33 years old, but he was a bit-part player at the time. The fact that one of the most talented players ever and a two-time scoring champion was never able to lead a team outside of the first round of the playoffs was not a good look on his resume.
Anthony Davis
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Career Stats: 24.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.3 BPG
Career Achievements: 2019-20 NBA Champion, 8x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x All-Defensive Team Selection, 3x Blocks Champion
Anthony Davis, an eight-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s premier big men, brings a combination of versatility and defensive prowess to any team. However, nobody will ever confuse him for being an elite leader. In fact, he often is criticized for his inconsistencies on and off the court.
Despite being an MVP candidate and dominant player for the New Orleans Pelicans early on in his career, Davis only made the playoffs twice and made it past the first round once in 2017-18. The big man has since made three playoff appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the 2019-20 championship, but playing alongside LeBron James was the reason that was possible.
Make no mistake, Davis will be in the Hall of Fame because his resume speaks for itself with eight All-Star appearances, four All-NBA appearances, and an NBA title, but he was never a leader capable of carrying a franchise to success despite being an exceptionally talented big man.
Chris Webber
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Career Stats: 20.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Career Achievements: 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 1998-99 Rebounding Champion, 1993-94 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame
Chris Webber’s impact on the court is undeniable, marked by his dynamic playing style and basketball IQ. However, his leadership was often questioned over his career. Webber’s tenure with the Sacramento Kings is often the focal point of discussions about his leadership. Despite the team’s success during the early 2000s, his clashes with head coach Rick Adelman and a failure to secure an NBA championship have raised questions about his effectiveness as a leader in high-stakes situations.
One notable aspect is Webber’s on-court demeanor. While he was a versatile and skilled power forward, his temperament didn’t always exude the commanding presence associated with traditional leaders. Of course, there is also the incident where Webber called a timeout when there weren’t any left in the 1993 NCAA Championship game. While mistakes happen, that has haunted Webber until this day and possibly provided foresight that a future Hall of Famer might never win a title.
