I was 20 years old when I saw my first NBA game in person, a Chicago Bulls game in 1981. The one Hall of Famer on that team was Artis Gilmore. Looking back now at that season, I can see that UNLV alum Reggie Theus had a great year with them and was an NBA All-Star alongside Gilmore.

Just like with baseball, I keep a list of my Favorite / Most-Glad-I-Got-to-See-Them-In-Person NBA players.

Here’s the list so far:

• Allen Iverson
• LeBron James
• Michael Jordan
• Larry Bird
• Magic Johnson
• Hakeem Olajuwon
• Dominique Wilkins
• Kobe Bryant
• Patrick Ewing
• Kevin McHale
• Artis Gilmore
• John Stockton
• Charles Barkley
• Clyde Drexler
• Shaquille O’Neal
• LeBron James
• Steve Nash
• Dwyane Wade
• Jason Kidd
• Dan Majerle
• Latrell Sprewell
• Jimmy Butler
• Kevin Garnett
• Karl-Anthony Towns

Who is my all-time favorite player I’ve ever seen in person? Allen Iverson! The Rickey Henderson of the NBA.

Who’s on your list?favorite/best NBA players you have seen play in.person?