Thanks for your list.
Here are my top eight. After that, I'd have to think about it:
1. Bill Russell
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Michael Jordan
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. LeBron James
6. Larry Bird
7. Magic Johnson
8. Tim Duncan
I totally agree with your #1 pick. Growing up in and around the Boston area and playing HS round ball, my team mates and I spent a lot of time in the old Garden from 1958 to 1962 and after HS I was there as often as I could be. Big Bill was the total team player.
Actually played in the Garden in the Tech Tourney,,, What a thrill (even though we got stomped by a superior Brockton team).
Some one up thread gave a vote to a person named Will Russell, whoever he was. :)