As I sit here scrolling through basketball news, I came across an interesting piece about MERALCO extending Raymond Almazan's contract. It got me thinking - in a league where big men like Almazan carve out solid careers, what does it truly take to belong among the NBA's absolute elite? Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed my own perspective on this eternal debate about the top 20 players in NBA history. The conversation always starts with the obvious names - Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - but the real intrigue begins when we dive into those borderline cases.

When I analyze greatness, I look beyond just championships and statistics, though those matter tremendously. Take Bill Russell's 11 championships - that number still blows my mind. But context matters too - the era, competition level, and impact on the game. I've always been partial to players who transformed how basketball is played. Steph Curry doesn't just have those three-point records; he literally changed defensive schemes across the entire league. That kind of influence deserves extra credit in my book.

The Raymond Almazan extension reminds me that longevity and consistency count for something too. A player like Karl Malone, despite never winning a championship, maintained elite production for nearly two decades - that's worth recognizing. But here's where I might differ from some analysts: I value peak performance more heavily than career accumulation. Tracy McGrady's prime, though shorter, was absolutely breathtaking and in my view places him in the conversation, even if his overall resume falls short.

Let me be controversial for a moment - I believe Kevin Durant deserves his spot. That smooth scoring ability at 6'10" is something we've never seen before. His back-to-back Finals MVPs with Golden State, combined with his four scoring titles, create a compelling case. Meanwhile, I struggle with some older legends simply because the game has evolved so dramatically. Would Oscar Robertson average a triple-double in today's NBA? Possibly not, given the athleticism and defensive schemes.

The international players add another fascinating layer. Dirk Nowitzki's 2011 championship run was one of the most impressive individual carry jobs I've witnessed, and his development of the stretch-big concept influenced generations. Giannis Antetokounmpo already has two MVPs and a championship by age 28 - if he maintains this trajectory, he'll comfortably settle into the top 15, maybe even higher.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is two-way impact. Players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Tim Duncan dominated on both ends, and that complete game should be weighted heavily. I'd take Duncan over more flashy scorers any day - his fundamental excellence created championship infrastructure for the Spurs across three different decades. That sustained success with varying rosters speaks volumes about his greatness.

As I reflect on Almazan finding his niche in the PBA, it reinforces that basketball excellence comes in many forms. The true legends combine individual brilliance with transformative impact, and my personal list reflects that balance. While statistics provide the foundation, the eye test and historical significance complete the picture. The beauty of this debate is that reasonable minds can differ - but after years of study and observation, I'm confident in my assessment of who truly belongs among the immortals.