Rick Barry

Rick Barry was one of the most versatile scorers in basketball history and the only player to lead the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring. His underhanded free-throw technique — the 'granny shot' — made him a 90% career free-throw shooter, and his willingness to look ridiculous in pursuit of perfection tells you everything about his competitive makeup. Barry simply did not care what anyone thought if it helped him win.

Barry's 1975 championship with the Warriors is an underrated title run. Golden State swept the heavily favored Washington Bullets, and Barry was the best player in the series, earning Finals MVP with his scoring, passing, and defensive intensity. His ability to score from anywhere — driving, mid-range, the line — made him one of the most difficult covers of the 1960s and 1970s.

Barry averaged 24.8 points per game across his NBA and ABA careers. His passing for a forward was exceptional — he regularly posted six or seven assists per game, a rarity for a wing player in any era. His ABA years were brilliant (averaging over 30 points per game in multiple seasons), but jumping leagues cost him prime NBA seasons and likely a higher all-time ranking.