Sacramento Kings Legend Earns Strong All-Time Ranking Despite 'Era-Based Inflation'

Sacramento Kings Legend Earns Strong All-Time Ranking Despite 'Era-Based Inflation' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

With the NBA offseason in full swing with teams continuing to scrounge the free agent and trade markets to upgrade their roster entering next season, it has also opened the door once again for the media to discuss the greatest players in league history.

On Monday, Bleacher Report’s NBA staff came out with their list of the top 100 players in league history and while most people will scroll to see who they have at number one, there are many legends on the list, including one from the Sacramento Kings.

That player is Oscar Robertson, who never suited up for the Kings but rather the Cincinnati Royals before they relocated to Sacramento.

Bleacher Report listed Robertson at No. 14 on their list despite his statistics being “inflated” due to the era in which he played.

“Oscar Robertson’s best work came in 10 years with the Cincinnati Royals during an era when blocks and steals weren’t tracked and three-point shots didn’t exist. That he still rates as one of the main players associated with the term “versatility” speak to his trailblazing game and statistical impact,” Bleacher Report’s NBA staff wrote. “Sure, most of his stats get era-based inflation due to a much higher pace and casual defense. But Robertson clearly stood out among his peers, finishing no worse than fifth in MVP voting every year from 1960-61 to 1967-68.”

Of course, Robertson finished his career as a one-time MVP, 12-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year winner and he also won the lone championship of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Robertson was also the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double throughout the entirety of the season, which he accomplished in 1961-62, and it would not be completed again until Russell Westbrook did so in 2016-17.

With his incredible resume, there is no doubt that the Hall of Famer is one of the best players in league history, especially at the point guard position, and he is also labeled as one of the best Kings players of all time.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.