Joanna, Author at SportsBettingMaverick

10 Best NBA Passers of All Time – Who Are Basketball’s Greatest Assist Magicians?

#10 – Rajon Rondo

Years active: 2006-2022

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 14th (7,584 assists)

The list starts with one of the best point guards and passers of modern-day basketball—Rajon Rondo. Standing at 6’ 1”, he wasn’t the tallest guard, but his impressive 6’ 9” wingspan and long arms were of great help when he played. Offensively, he could pass the ball and execute his trademark scooping layup thanks to his physical advantages. In addition, his long arms contributed to his outstanding ability to steal the ball.

Rondo could dish passes as strong as an NFL quarterback when it came to passing the ball. Also, his accuracy was always on point, as he almost always predicted where was the teammate to whom the pass was intended.

As for Rondo’s accolades, he was 3x assist leader, 1x best in steals, and was a part of the All-Defensive team four times. Rondo is a 2x NBA Champion, winning the titles with the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers. When the Boston Celtics won the title in 2008, Rondo played a vital role in his team’s success by dishing dimes right and left. During his illustrious career, he averaged 9.8 PPG, 7.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.6 SPG.

Rondo retired in 2022 as a Cleveland Cavaliers player.

#9 – Chris Paul

Years active: 2005-present*

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 3rd (11,731 assists)*

If I’ve made a list of the best NBA passers in the past decade, Chris Paul would be in the top 5. He can complete passes of all kinds, like alley-oops, lobs, pocket passes, etc. More importantly, Paul is a player who makes a tremendous impact on the game with how good he is at playmaking. He’s excellent at controlling the game’s tempo, knowing when to slow down and pick up the pace.

Moreover, his basketball intellect is high since he can organize his team’s offense, unlike any other point guard, which means that he knows precisely where to position his teammates for them to score.

Throughout his career, Paul showed that he’s an all-around player, not just good at passing. He’s a solid shooter, with the mid-range shot being his strong point, and proficient at stealing the ball.

Paul’s passing prowess is unmatched since he was 5x leader in assists. What’s also interesting is that he was a 6x time leader in steals. Chris has put solid numbers while playing the NBA, averaging 17.7 PPG, 9.4 APG, and 21. SPG.

Unfortunately, Paul has never won an NBA championship. Still, he was the leading player in the teams he played for (New Orleans Hornets, LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, etc.).

#8 – Larry Bird

Years active: 1979-1992

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 48th (5,695 assists)

It may be strange that Larry Bird made it to the top 10 best NBA passers of all time since he’s 48th on the NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard. However, this isn’t a surprise to die-hard basketball fans.

Bird was a Boston Celtics superstar who led that team to 3 NBA titles in the 80s and was one of the best players in history to step onto a basketball court.

Bird had remarkable court awareness since he rarely missed an open teammate and also made quick decisions regarding passing. He mostly preferred to produce the quick off-the-catch pass and the no-look pass. Bird dished out assists from all angles and positions, thanks to intuitive court vision.

Although he was never a leader in assists during his career, he still averaged a solid 6.3 APG. In addition, he averaged 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG as well as 1.7 SPG.

Overall, when you look at those numbers, Bird is one of the finest all-around NBA players ever.

#7 – Isiah Thomas

Years active: 1981-1982

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 10th (9,061 assists)

Isiah Thomas was one of the best playmakers in the 80s and the early 90s. He led the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” to two NBA titles since he was an elite offensive orchestrator. Thomas wasn’t selfish with the ball, as he always shared it with his teammates.

Standing at 6’ 1”, Thomas wasn’t the tallest point guard, but he used his height to his advantage, as he would easily pass opposing players. Thomas would make some brilliant passes if he didn’t make a flashy layup or a jump shot. He loved driving through the lane and dishing dimes to his teammates.

Apart from being an NBA champion, Thomas amassed many accolades during his playing days. He was the 1984/85 assists champ with 13.9 PPG, 2x MVP, and was a part of the All-NBA team 5 times. In that 84/85, he recorded a career-high 25 assists.

When it comes to his overall career statistics, Isaiah averaged 19.2 PPG, 9.3 APG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.9 SPG.

#6 – Oscar Robertson

Years active: 1981-1982

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 8th (9,887 assists)

Oscar “Big O” Robertson was a legendary NBA player who was possibly the best passer during his time in the NBA. He was a high-level playmaker and one of the first big guards who inspired many basketball players today.

Standing at 6’ 5”, Robertson had superb court vision that helped him to see openings for making passes. He also repeatedly got past defenders with excellent ball-handling skills and then dished an assist to his team’s big men.

Robertson was definitely an accomplished player since he was an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971, led the league in assists six times, and was the first NBA player ever to average a triple-double in one season.

Across 14 seasons in the world’s best basketball league, Oscar averaged an impressive 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, and 7.5 RPG. Statistically speaking, Robertson is one of the best all-around players ever in NBA basketball.

#5 – Lebron James

Years active: 2003-present*

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 4th (10,717 assists)

Lebron James is one of the most complete players ever to grace the basketball court. He can shoot, dunk, dribble, and rebound. Moreover, besides being one of the best offensive players ever in terms of pure scoring, Lebron is an exceptional passer. Even though he’s the only player on this list who’s not a guard, by the way he plays, it looks like he’s a point guard.

He has otherworldly vision for a small forward, thanks to his 6’ 9” frame. Lebron’s ability to drive through the lane and pass the ball to open teammates on the perimeter is unmatched. Also, what made Lebron a dominant passer is that he can pass the ball with precision and strength. He’s one of the most talented passers in the game who regularly makes passes worth of highlight reels. From bounce passes to no-look overhead passes.

Across two decades spent in the NBA, Lebron has won 4 NBA titles with the Cavaliers, Lakers, and the Heat. As for other accolades, he led the league in assists in the 2019/20 season, averaging 10.2 APG. Throughout his career, he averaged 27.1 PPG, 7.3 APG, 7.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG.

With almost 11,000 assists, Lebron’s passing prowess is undeniable, and he is undoubtedly one of the best NBA passers of all time.

#4 – Steve Nash

Years active: 1996-2014

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 5th (10,335 assists)

Steve Nash is the epitome of a traditional point guard and one of the best passers in the game of basketball. He was one of the last old-school point guards in the modern-day NBA whose main strength was controlling the game’s tempo and dishing dimes.

With almost 200 lbs and 6’3 “ height, Nash couldn’t rely on physical strength. Instead, he had to perfect his playmaking skills by mastering ball-handling and various pass deliveries. Nash made many different types of passes during his career, but he was undoubtedly one of the best in making bounce passes.

Nash didn’t get the chance to lift the NBA’s championship trophy, but he had an impressive career. He was 2x MVP, leader in assists five times, and an 8-time All-Star. During his playing days, this Canadian point guard averaged 14.3 PPG, 8.5 APG, and 3.0 RPG. He was at the peak of his abilities in his second spell with the Phoenix (2004-2012). His best season was 2006/07, when he put up 11.6 APG. Nash also played for the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Lakers.

Nash maybe wasn’t a complete basketball player, but his incredible passing skills were the reason why he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

#3 – Jason Kidd

Years active: 1994-2013

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 2nd (12,091 assists)

Jason Kidd is one of the greatest passers to set foot on the NBA hardwood. He was a triple-double machine during his playing days since he holds the 6th spot on the all-time triple-double leaderboard with 107.

Even though he was a solid rebounder and shooter, he was the best at dishing dimes. Kidd was a master at confusing his opponents since he often looked in one direction and passed the ball in another. He could make passes of all kinds, like behind-the-back assists, bounce passes, alley-oops, interior passes, overhead passes, and so on.

He was a prolific passer who played a crucial role in winning the NBA title for the Dallas Mavericks, even though he was near the end of his career. Apart from being the point guard for the Mavericks, he also played for the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, and the New York Knicks. Kidd was a 5-time leader in assists, a part of the All-NBA team 6 times, and a Hall of Famer. Across almost two decades in the NBA, “J-Kidd” averaged 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 8.7 APG.

Jason Kidd was an all-around player and one of the most consistent players, given the fact that he maintained his elite level of play for 19 seasons.

#2 – John Stockton

Years active: 1984-2003

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 1st (15,806 assists)

John Stockton was a passing maestro, and the No. 1 player on the all-time assists leaderboard with 15,806 made assists. What’s even more impressive about being the all-time leader in assists is that Stockton managed to have that many assists in an era of rough and physical basketball where there were teams like the “Bad Boys” from Detroit and Jordan’s Bulls.

Stockton was most famous for his fascinating passes from the pick and roll, which he almost always did with his legendary teammate, Kale Malone. The pick-and-roll that this duo did was efficient and exciting to watch simultaneously. “Stockton to Malone” was a legendary phrase that was used when this duo executed the pick and roll.

Stockton was overall an all-around passer who could distribute the ball to his teammates from any spot or position on the court. Maybe Stockton wasn’t the fastest point guard, but still, his high basketball IQ was enough for him to be an elite passer.

Although Stockton never won the NBA championship, primarily because of the incredible Chicago Bulls, he was Utah’s leader who led them to playoffs in every season he played. John was also incredibly durable since he played 82 games in 16 out of 19 seasons at the Utah Jazz.

Stockton was a 9-time assists champ, a 2-time steal champ, and a 10x All-Star. Throughout his career, he averaged 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.7 RPG, and 2.2 SPG.

#1 – Magic Johnson

Years active: 1979-1996

NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard: 7th (10,141 assists)

Magic Johnson is undoubtedly the best passer of all time. Despite the fact that he’s not even among the top 5 leaders in assists, his elegance and style of passing the ball are unlike any other player in the history of basketball.

The anchor of the “Showtime” Lakers team, Magic, produced some jaw-dropping passes. No-look passes, and behind-the-back passes were just a few types of assists that he made throughout his illustrious career. However, Magic was most known for his going coast-to-coast. He would rebound the ball, make a quick feint to throw his opponent off balance, and make a long bounce pass through traffic that went to his open teammate.

At 6’9 “, he had impeccable court vision since he only needed a fraction of a second to see an open teammate and pass them the ball. Besides height being at his advantage, Magic’s strength and speed also gave him an advantage against smaller point guards.

Regarding his accomplishments, Magic Johnson won the NBA title 5 times, led the NBA in assists four times, and was also a 2-time steals chamRegarding to his overall career statistics, Magic averaged 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 7.2 RPG, and 1.9 SPG. He also holds the no.3 spot on the all-time triple-double leaderboard, with 138.

It’s safe to say that we probably won’t see another passing wizard-like Magic was there.

Featured image taken from YouTube.

Best NBA Defenders of All Time – Ranking the Top 10 Basketball Defense Experts

#10 – Ben Wallace

The No. 10 spot goes to one of the best NBA defenders ever—Ben Wallace. Standing at 6’ 9”, he wasn’t the tallest center, but his muscle mass and sheer size gave him the upper hand against other centers in the paint. Wallace was also quite agile for his build and had a high basketball IQ.

When you take a look at his career accolades, there’s no doubt that he belongs among the best shot-stoppers in the game of basketball. Ben won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times and made the NBA All-Defensive First Team 6 times. He was a menace in the paint by blocking shots ferociously and catching the ball with authority in the early 2000s.

During his illustrious career, Wallace mostly played for the Detroit Pistons, but he also had short spells at the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Orlando Magic. He averaged 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 SPG, and 2.0 BPG.

Ben was a crucial figure in the 2004 Finals against the LA Lakers, where he showcased his defensive prowess and led the Pistons to an NBA title.

Wallace ended his NBA career as a Detroit Pistons player in 2012

#9 – Kevin Garnett

Another big man on the list is the legendary Kevin Garnett. Throughout his time in the NBA, he played as a power forward and was basically a flawless defender that could guard anyone. At 6’ 11”, he was very mobile and light on his feet, which went to his advantage when he competed against other big men in the paint. His athleticism, combined with his high defensive IQ, made him an all-around supreme defender.

Kevin spent the first 12 seasons of his NBA career as a Minnesota Timberwolves player. Even though he didn’t win an NBA title with the Timberwolves, he was undoubtedly the team’s anchor. After the Timberwolves, Kevin went to the Boston Celtics, where he earned his reputation as a fierce competitor. Besides Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, he was one of the leading players in Boston when they won the NBA title back in 2008.

Garnett was the best rebounder in the league four times and was also included in the NBA All-Defensive team 12 times. Apart from being an elite rebounder, he could also block shots and averaged 1.4 BPG. Regarding other statistics, Kevin averaged 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 1.3 SPG.

In 2016, Garnett retired from the same club where he started his career—the Minnesota Timberwolves.

#8 – Michael Jordan

NBA fans like yourself know how lethal Michael Jordan was in the offense. But, what’s maybe forgotten about the greatest basketball player of all time is that he was also one of the NBA’s best defenders in history.

Jordan was a one-of-a-kind player who was strong, fast, and highly mobile, and those strengths were helpful on both sides of the floor. He was often a frustration for opposing players since he was exceptional at stealing the ball thanks to his quick and long arms. Also, for being 6’ 6”, his shot-blocking abilities were above average.

MJ’s relentlessness in getting the ball in his hands was unmatched, and he also intercepted many passes in his career, thanks to his high defense IQ. He led the NBA in steals three times and averaged an impressive 2.3 SPG. Regarding other numbers, he averaged 30.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 6.2 RPG and 0.8 BPG.

Michael’s accomplishments speak for themselves: 6X NBA Champion, 1X DPOY, 9X All-Defensive NBA Team, and many others. The fact that Jordan was basically equally good in both offense and defense made him the best basketball player ever to step onto an NBA hardwood.

After winning the NBA three-peat two times, MJ retired in 1998. He returned from retirement in 2001 and played for the Wahington Wizards until his final retirement from basketball in 2003.

#7 – Scottie Pippen

The second half of Chicago Bulls’s best-ever duo was one of the best small forwards and defenders in basketball—Scottie Pippen. He was an unyielding defender whose defensive intellect helped him to lock down opponents and read defensive plays. Standing at 6’ 8”, he had the immense ability to guard players of all positions thanks to his size and athleticism.

When it came to stealing the ball, his long reach and tenacity to get the ball were the main factors as to why Pippen averaged 2.0 SPG and was a one-time Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Scottie put up impressive numbers during his career, averaging 16.1 PPG, 5.2 APG, 6.4 RPG, and 0.8 BPG.

His defensive expertise was why he was a part of their All-Defensive team in the NBA 10 times. Many fans would’ve considered Pippen as the no.1 defense player in Bulls history if it weren’t for his teammate, who will show up later on this list of the best NBA defenders of all time.

No one can deny that Pippen played a vital role in Chicago’s success in the 90s.

In 2003, Scottie returned to the Bulls and retired after one season.

#6 – Tim Duncan

One of the most consistent and dominant defensive players in NBA history is the San Antonio Spurs legend—Tim Duncan. In 19 seasons, he was part of the All-Defensive Team 15 times (most ever in the NBA).

One of the best power forwards ever in the NBA was an incredible rim protector. In his career, he averaged 2.2 BPG.

Apart from having fascinating shot-blocking abilities, Tim was an elite rebounder, averaging 10.8 RPG during his time in the NBA. As for other statistics, he averaged 19.0 PPG as well as 0.7 SPG.

Besides having impressive defense skills, his height and 7’ 4” wingspan were mainly why Duncan was such a highly efficient defensive player. However, being coached by Gregg Popovich and mentored by David Robinson helped Tim quickly read defensive plays.

It goes without question that Tim Duncan was the anchor of the San Antonio Spurs team. In almost two decades that he spent in the NBA, he won the championship title 5 times, and many Spurs fans consider him the best player of that franchise.

#5 – Dikembe Mutombo

The player who sits on the No. 5 spot on this list of the best defenders ever is the towering 7’ 2” center—Dikembe Mutombo. Well-known for his finger-wagging celebration after blocking a shot, he was one the most ferocious shot-stoppers that ever played the game of basketball. Mutombo led the league in blocks from 1994 to 1996 and was also the best rebounder in the NBA in 2000 and 2001.

He was a 4-time DPOY and included in the All-Defensive Team 6 times. These accolades are a testament to Dikembe’s dominance in defense. Moreover, Mutombo is the second-best-ever shot-blocker in the NBA, with 3,289 blocks, averaging 2.8 per game. As for other statistics, he averaged 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 0.4 SPG.

Throughout his career, Mutombo boasted the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and the New York Knicks.

Mutombo’s impressive ability to block shots and having an authoritative presence in the paint cement his legacy as one of the best defenders ever in NBA basketball.

#4 – David Robinson

A 7’ 1” beast in the paint, David “The Admiral” Robinson was one of the most intimidating defenders in the history of the NBA. He greatly utilized his speed and athleticism to cover both the perimeter and the paint against his opponents.

Robinson was also a highly efficient shot-blocker with superb timing and positions when rejecting shots. His best season for swatting away shots was 1991-1992 when he recorded 4.5 blocks per game. Robinson averaged 21.1 PPG, 3.0 BPG, 1.4 SPG, and 10.8 RPG during his career.

Regarding his accomplishments, he was a 1-time DPOY, 1-time best-shot blocker, 1-time best rebounder, and included eight times in the All-Defensive team. Robinson was also one of four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double in one game: 34 points and 10 of each (blocks, rebounds, and assists).

Robinson only played for the Spurs as an NBA player and greatly contributed to two NBA titles he won with this team.

#3 – Dennis Rodman

One of the most eccentric basketball players who holds the No. 3 position on this list is Dennis Rodman. Although he was poor offensively, that isn’t the case when it comes to his defense. Rodman was a top-notch post defender who was fearless when competing against much taller players. Basically, he could guard everyone, from point guards to centers.

Even though Rodman was relatively good at shot-blocking (0.6 BPG) and stealing the ball (0.7 SPG), he was mostly known for being a rebounding genius. In the documentary about the Bulls dynasty, “The Last Dance,” Rodman talked about how he learned a lot about timing and positioning when it came to catching rebounds.

“The Worm” was a 7-time leader in rebounds, 2-time DPOY, and a part of the All-Defensive team 7 times. Rodman averaged an impressive 13.8 RPG, 7.3 PPG, and 1.8 APG in his career.

Rodman is a 5x NBA Champion, winning the titles with the Chicago Bulls as well as the Detroit Pistons. Rodman was undeniably one of the most critical players in both teams. He also played for the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

#2 – Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon was an outstanding center who is the 2nd best defender in this list. This big man could guard players of all positions, given his speed, athleticism, and size. With a height of 7’ 0” and a 7’ 6” wingspan, Olajuwon was one of the most feared centers in his era. He helped the Houston Rockets to become a competitive team in the 80s and 90s thanks to his high-level skills in both offense and defense.

Olajuwon was a dominant rim-protector and the leader in blocks in NBA history. Throughout his career, he has amassed 3,830 rejections, averaging 3.1 BPG. Although many remember Olajuwon as an elite shot-blocker, he holds the number 10 spot in steals in the history of the NBA with 2,162 and 1.7 SPG. Olajuwon also possessed an impressive offensive prowess, since he averaged 21.8 PPG. Apart from being good at shot-blocking and stealing the ball, Hakeem led the NBA in rebounds 2 times and averaged 11.1 RPG.

As for other accomplishments, “The Dream” was a 2-time DPOY, 3-time block champ, and a part of the All-Defensive team 9 times.

Since Olajuwon, there haven’t been many players who were so dominant on the defensive side of the game.

#1 – Bill Russell

The best defender in NBA history is, without a doubt, Bill Russell. In addition, he’s one of the best basketball players ever, with 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. With a 6’ 10” frame and a 7’ 4” wingspan, Russell was a nightmare for his opponents since he was also agile and strong for his size. He wasn’t just a superior presence in the pain. Russel could also lock down guards from the perimeter.

He’s the 2nd best all-time rebounder in the NBA, with 21,620 rebounds made in his career while averaging 22.5 RPG. He was the best rebounder in the NBA for four seasons. The NBA didn’t record the NBA All-Defensive team up until the 1968/1969 season, but Bill managed to be a part of that first All-Defensive team in that season.

During Russell’s playing days, the NBA didn’t keep records of blocks or steals, but credible sources estimate that Russell managed to average 8.1 BPG in his entire career, which is an astonishing feat. He blocked shots with perfect timing and often didn’t even make fouls while swatting away shots from guards.

Bill Russell was a true NBA legend, and the best defense player this game has ever seen.

Featured image taken from YouTube.

Best Football Teams Of All Time – Clubs That Dominated in Europe

Best Football Teams Of All Time:

Arsenal
Barcelona
Ajax
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Liverpool FC
S.L. Benfica
Manchester United
Porto

Arsenal – 2003/04

Starting XI : GK – Lehmann, CB – Campbell, CB – Toure, RB – Lauren, LB – Cole, DM – Vieira, DM – Silva, LM – Pires , RM – Ljunberg, SS – Bergkamp, ST – Henry

The Arsenal squad of the 2003/04 season, called “The Invincibles,” won the Premier League title. They ended the season on top of the table, unbeaten in 38 games with 90 points. The Invincibles, along with the legendary French manager Arsene Wenger, had 26 wins as well as 12 draws.

The key players for the Gunners were, first and foremost, the elite striker Thierry Henry, who scored 30 goals thanks to his super-sharp finishes and lightning-fast pace. The midfielder, Patrick Vieira, has been crucial to the team with his precise passes and immense leadership. Also, Dennis Bergkamp was a magician with the ball, scoring goals and giving assists.

Their perfect run sets a great example that nothing is impossible in the game of football.

Barcelona – 2008/09

Starting XI : GK – Valdes, CB – Pique, CB – Puyol, RB – Alves, LB – Abidal, DM – Toure, CM – Xavi, CM – Iniesta , RW – Messi, LW – Henry, ST – Eto’o

The 2008/09 season was the most memorable in the history of FC Barcelona. They’ve won the treble: UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey. Their “tiki-taka” style of play was very helpful in winning those titles. Regarding how this became the trademark of Barca’s play, the head coach, Pep Guardiola, drew inspiration from Ajax’s “Total Football” style.

All members of the Barcelona 2008/2009 team were impressive, but a couple of incredible players stood out.

For example, this was the breakthrough season of the goat of football, Lionel Messi. With 38 goals and 19 assists, Messi was the star of the team. His crucial header against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League will never be forgotten.

Besides Leo, the captain center-back, Carles Puyol was the team’s backbone. Also, the midfield Duo, Xavi, and Iniesta, were important players of them. They controlled the ball perfectly in all their games and gave flawless passes.

The 2008/09 Barca lineup will go down as one of the best football teams in the world.

Ajax – 1971/1972

Starting XI : GK – Stuy, CB – Blankenburg, CB – Hulshoff, RB – Suurbier, LB – Krol, DM – Haan, CM – Neeskens, LM – Mühren, AM – Cruyff, RW – Swart, LW – Keizer

At the beginning of the 1970s, Ajax was a force to be reckoned with and one of the best teams in Europe. The 1971/72 season was wildly successful, and they won the treble: the Eredivisie, the European Cup (now UEFA Champions League), and the KNVB Cup. Ajax won three European cups in a row, in 1971, 1972, and 1973.

The “Total Football” style, which promoted teamwork and quick position switches, was a major factor in their success. They used the super flexible 4-3-3 formation, which caused problems for many of their opponents.

Rinus Michaels left the head coach position, but Stefan Kovacs was equally as good as him and didn’t change the team’s formation, which was the right move.

All football enthusiasts know who was the superstar of the team. Johan Cruyff was as brilliant as always as the playmaker, scoring 33 goals and providing 26 assists in all competitions that season. The brilliant Johan Neeskens was the midfield general, and the right winger Sjaak Swart was the maestro in the attack.

This Ajax generation is probably the best one since this Dutch club was founded in 1900.

AC Milan – 1993/94

Starting XI : GK – Rossi, CB – Costacurta, CB – Baresi , RB – Tassotti, LB – Maldini, CM – Desailly, CM – Albertini, AM – Savićević , RM- Donadoni, ST – Massaro, ST – Papin

AC Milan had a truly exceptional 1993/94 season by winning the treble: Seria A, Supercoppa Italiana, and the Champions League. Fabio Capello’s team only managed to score 36 goals in only 34 matches in the league, but they only conceded 15 goals.

In the UEFA Champions League final versus Barcelona, AC Milan destroyed them 4-0.

One of the main reasons why AC Milan had that fantastic was its two defenders. Two AC Milan legends, Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, made an impenetrable fortress of their defense.

As for other memorable players, Desailly and Albertini controlled the midfield, while Jean Pierre Papin was the club’s striker in the absence of Marco Van Basten.

The whole season was tremendous for the Rossoneri, and they’re undoubtedly one of the top 10 football teams ever to grace the pitch.

Real Madrid – 2016/17

Starting XI : GK – Navas, CB – Ramos, CB – Pepe, RB – Carvajal, LB – Marcelo, DM – Casemiro, CM – Modrić, CM – Kroos , RW – Bale, LW – Ronaldo, ST – Benzema

Having such a rich history as a club, Real Madrid was superb in many different eras of modern football, but their best season has to be 2016/17. Zinedine Zidane’s team won four trophies in that season: Champions League, La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and the Club World Cup.

The race with Barca for the La Liga title was nail-biting, but Real Madrid prevailed by having 3 points more than the Catalans. In the final of the Champions League, Real showed pure dominance against Juventus, beating them 4 -1.

Zidane knew how to make a complete team.

Pepe and Ramos were unstoppable in the defense, and the left-back Marcelo could efficiently run the flank from one end of the pitch to another. The midfield was steady, with Modrić and Kroos. One of the football GOATs, Cristiano Ronaldo, led the attack, scoring 42 goals alongside 12 assists in all competitions. Benzema, being the team’s striker, bagged 19 goals as well as eight assists.

No one can deny that the 2016/17 Real Madrid season was one of the best in the Galacticos’ history or in all football history.

Bayern Munich – 2012/13

Starting XI : GK – Neuer, CB – Dante, CB – Boateng, RB – Lahm, LB – Alaba, CM – Schweinsteiger , CM – Kroos, AM – Müller , RW – Ribèry, LW – Robben, ST – Mandžukić

Bayern Munich is by far the best German football club ever. There have been many prosperous seasons in the club’s history, but the one that stands out is the 2012/13 season. Under coach Yupp Heynckess, Bayern won four titles in that season: the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, DFL Supercup, and the UEFA Champions League.

They won the Bundesliga impressively, 19 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, the runner-up. In the Champions League final, they also faced their Bundesliga rival, Borussia Dortmund, and beat them by 2 -1.

Bayern had a team that had no flaws. Between the posts, there was the incredible shot-stopper Manuel Neuer. In the defense were the giant center-back Boateng and the captain Phillip Lahm, who was always consistent and light on his feet.

In the midfield, Toni Kroos was the one giving perfect both short and long passes. There were super-fast Dutchman Arjen Robben and Frenchman Franck Ribery on the wings. The team’s prolific strikers, Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gomez scored more than 40 goals together in Bayern’s 2012/13 season.

Bayern Munich 2012/13 was no joke, and this team will be remembered as one of the greatest in European football.

Liverpool FC – 1983/84

Starting XI: GK – Grobbelaar, CB – Lawrenson, CB – Hansen, RB – Neal, LB – Kennedy, CM – Souness, CM – Lee, LM – Whelan, RM – Johnston, ST – Dalglish, ST – Rush

Liverpool’s legacy as one of the biggest football clubs in the world is huge. Since their founding in 1892, the Reds have amassed many trophies and had many illustrious seasons.

Their best one was the 1983/84 season when they succeeded in winning the treble: the European Cup, the League title, and also the League Cup. The title was won by three points, with Southampton as the second team on the table. In the European Cup, Liverpool beat Roma in a penalty shootout.

With Joe Fagan as their manager, Liverpool ensured the treble for the first time ever in the club’s history.

The Liverpool club’s legendary forward, Ian Rush, scored a record-breaking 47 goals in all tournaments. Alongside him played another Liverpool football icon, striker Kenny Dalglish, who scored 12 goals and gave out 12 assists during that season.

The 1983/84 season was a year of Liverpool’s complete and utter domination domestically and in European tournaments, too.

S.L. Benfica – 1960/1961

Starting XI : GK – Pereira, CB – Germano, RB – Joao LB – Angelo, DM – Cruz, CM – Neto, CM – Coluna AM – Santana , RW – Augusto, LW – Cavem, ST – Aguas

S.L. Benfica is one of the most respectable clubs in European football history.

Even though Benfica won the treble in their league in 2013/14, this Portuguese football giant’s best season was the 1960/61. The tactical genius head coach, Bella Guttmann, put them in a rare formation of 4-2-4.

That turned out to be one of the best moves Guttmann made since players were thriving in that formation. S.L. Benfica won the title in the domestic league dominantly, losing only twice during the whole season. They won the European Cup, beating Barcelona with 3-2.

This Benfica era was remembered for having one of the best strikers ever, Eusebio. The 1960/61 was his debut season, as he only played at the end of it. Nevertheless, Eusebio scored 715 goals in 727 appearances. Almost a goal per match!

The 60/61 Benfica striker was Jose Aguas, who netted 43 goals in all tournaments throughout the season. Besides him, one of the key figures of the teams was Mario Coluna, Eusebio’s fellow countrymen and central midfielder from Mozambique. His trademarks were his left-foot rocket shots, incredible passing, and leadership on the field.

S.L. Benfica in 1960/1961 was one of the finest teams in the whole world.

Manchester United – 1998/99

Starting XI: GK – Schmeichel, CB – Johnsen, CB – Stam, RB – Neville, LB – Irwin, DM – Keane, CM – Scholes, LM- Giggs, RM – Beckham, ST – Cole, ST – Yorke

The Manchester United 1998/99 season was packed with trophies. They became the first English club to win the treble: the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, and the FA Cup.

As for the Premier League title, they claimed the spot at the top of the table with 79 points, leaving Arsenal in second place with 78 points. They almost lost the Champions League final to Bayern München, but goals of Solskjaer and Sheringham in stoppage time secured the late win.

Before mentioning the crucial players of the Red Devils, I have to take the hat off to the legendary coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the mastermind behind United’s success.

The goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, was remarkable in stopping shots from any range. Regarding the players, the defense of United was rock solid, thanks to Jaap Stam, Gary Neville, and Steve Irwin. The midfield quartet made of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, and Ryan Giggs was perfect throughout the season. The forwards Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke scored 53 goals combined in all competitions.

Manchester United 1998/99 has to be one of Europe’s most complete football teams ever.

Porto – 2003/04

Starting XI : GK – Baia, CB – Costa, CB – Carvalho, RB – Ferreira, LB – Valente, DM – Costinha, CM – Mendes, CM – Maniche, AM – Deco , ST – Alberto, ST – McCarthy

The season of dreams for FC Porto was 2013/14. Under the legendary coach Jose Mourinho, Porto won multiple trophies, including the Primeira Liga, the domestic Supercup, and the biggest trophy of them all—the UEFA Champions League. As the champions of Portugal, Porto amassed 12 points more than the runners-up Benfica.

The memorable night of Porto’s season was the Champions League final, when they defeated Monaco 3 – 0.

This team’s best players were the defensive duo that stopped attackers with their sheer tenacity and strength, Richardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Behind them was the goalkeeper of FC Porto, legend Vitor Baia.

In the midfield, the talented playmaker Deco gave out 29 assists during the season, while the prolific attacker Benni McCarthy scored 26 goals in all competitions.

FC Porto had superb teams throughout different eras of modern football, but the 2003/04 one has to go down in history as one of the best.

Featured image taken from YouTube.