When I think about the greatest NBA number one picks in basketball history, my mind immediately goes beyond just statistics and accolades. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've developed my own criteria for evaluating these elite players - it's not just about individual brilliance but how they transformed their franchises and impacted the game globally. The recent performance by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the PBA, where he dropped an incredible 35 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists for Tropang Giga, actually got me thinking about how we measure greatness across different contexts and eras. That kind of triple-double performance, leading his team to a dominant 115-95 advantage in the fourth quarter against San Miguel, demonstrates the kind of all-around dominance we've come to expect from truly special number one picks.

Let me start with what I consider the undisputed top tier - LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson. LeBron, in my personal view, stands alone not just because of his 38,000-plus points or four championships with three different franchises, but because of his unprecedented longevity and basketball IQ. I remember watching his first NBA game in 2003 and thinking nobody could live up to that hype - yet he somehow exceeded it. Then there's Kareem, whose skyhook remains the most unstoppable shot I've ever witnessed, and his six MVP awards speak volumes about his sustained excellence. Magic revolutionized the point guard position with his 6'9" frame and charismatic leadership, delivering five championships to Los Angeles while making "Showtime" must-watch basketball.

The second tier gets more debatable, and this is where my personal biases might show. I'd put Tim Duncan here, though some might argue he belongs higher. His fundamental brilliance might not have been flashy, but those five championships for San Antonio represent the kind of franchise-defining impact we dream about from number one picks. Shaquille O'Neal belongs in this conversation too - at his absolute peak, I'm not sure there's ever been a more physically dominant player. His 2000-2002 three-peat with the Lakers was just brutal efficiency, averaging around 28 points and 12 rebounds during those championship runs. Hakeem Olajuwon's footwork and defensive prowess make him another automatic selection here - his 1994 and 1995 championships, especially that second one as a sixth seed, showcased what a single transcendent number one pick could accomplish.

Now here's where it gets really interesting - the modern era gives us compelling cases for players still building their legacies. I'm particularly fascinated by Giannis Antetokounmpo's trajectory. When Milwaukee selected him 15th in 2013, nobody envisioned he'd become this force of nature, but his development curve reminds me why the draft remains such an inexact science. His 2021 championship run, culminating in that 50-point closeout game against Phoenix, demonstrated the kind of playoff dominance that separates good number one picks from legendary ones. Similarly, Anthony Davis, when healthy, has shown he can be the best two-way big man in basketball, though I've always felt he hasn't quite maximized his potential consistently.

What strikes me about evaluating these players is how context-dependent their success often is. Looking at that Hollis-Jefferson performance - 35 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists in a single game - I'm reminded that statistical brilliance alone doesn't define a career. Some number one picks put up incredible numbers on losing teams, while others like Bill Russell prioritized winning above all else, capturing 11 championships in 13 seasons despite averaging "only" around 15 points per game. Russell's case particularly fascinates me because his impact transcended traditional statistics - his defensive leadership and basketball intelligence created a dynasty in Boston that may never be matched.

The international influence of number one picks also can't be overstated. When Yao Ming entered the league in 2002, he didn't just bring 7'6" of skilled basketball - he literally opened China's massive market to the NBA. Having visited Shanghai during the peak of Yao-mania, I witnessed firsthand how one number one pick could globalize the game in ways nobody anticipated. Similarly, Dirk Nowitzki's 2011 championship with Dallas, where he absolutely dismantled Miami's superteam, demonstrated how a European number one pick could redefine what was possible for international players.

As I reflect on these players, I keep returning to that Hollis-Jefferson performance in the PBA. While he wasn't a number one NBA pick himself, his all-around dominance in that game - contributing significantly in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking - embodies what we expect from the very best top selections. The greatest number one picks aren't just specialists; they're complete players who can take over games in multiple ways, much like Jefferson's 35-21-10 stat line demonstrates. From my perspective, the true measure of a number one pick's greatness lies in their ability to elevate everyone around them while delivering when it matters most. The debate about who sits where in this hierarchy will continue as new talents emerge, but what remains undeniable is the extraordinary impact these selected few have had on basketball's evolution across decades and continents.