Point differential is one of the simplest but most telling metrics in basketball, and you could argue that in NBA standings, it’s sometimes more meaningful than the overall win-loss record. While usually applied to teams, what happens when we track it for players across their careers?

Well, the results add weight to the case for Tim Duncan as one of the most underrated players in NBA history. The Spurs legend is No. 1 all-time with a +9,509 point differential across 1,392 games, a testament to both his longevity and his impact on winning. Two other Spurs icons of the TD era, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, are in the Top 4, which would seem to strengthen the argument that San Antonio’s Big Three is one of the best ever.

Another interesting takeaway from our research: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career point differential clearly outpaces those of LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the two other leading GOAT candidates.

Below is the full ranking:

1. Tim Duncan

Point differential: +9,509

Games played: 1,392

Average point differential: +6.83

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Point differential: +9,208

Games played: 1,560

Average point differential: +5.90

3. Tony Parker

Point differential: +8,263

Games played: 1,254

Average point differential: +6.59

4. Manu Ginobili

Point differential: +7,298

Games played: 1,057

Average point differential: +6.90

5. Bill Russell

Point differential: +6,714

Games played: 963

Average point differential: +6.97

6. Scottie Pippen

Point differential: +6,679

Games played: 1,178

Average point differential: +5.67

7. Karl Malone

Point differential: +6,401

Games played: 1,476

Average point differential: +4.34

8. Magic Johnson

Point differential: +6,244

Games played: 906

Average point differential: +6.89

9. John Stockton

Point differential: +6,151

Games played: 1,504

Average point differential: +4.09

10. Sam Jones

Point differential: +6,035

Games played: 866

Average point differential: +6.97

11. Robert Parish

Point differential: +6,023

Games played: 1,611

Average point differential: +3.74

12. LeBron James

Point differential: +6,001

Games played: 1,562

Average point differential: +3.84

13. Derek Fisher

Point differential: +5,993

Games played: 1,288

Average point differential: +4.65

14. Shaquille O’Neal

Point differential: +5,990

Games played: 1,207

Average point differential: +4.96

15. Larry Bird

Point differential: +5,944

Games played: 897

Average point differential: +6.63

16. Satch Sanders

Point differential: +5,713

Games played: 916

Average point differential: +6.24

17. Danny Ainge

Point differential: +5,698

Games played: 1,042

Average point differential: +5.47

18. Sam Perkins

Point differential: +5,621

Games played: 1,286

Average point differential: +4.37

19. Michael Cooper

Point differential: +5,588

Games played: 871

Average point differential: +6.42

20. Robert Horry

Point differential: +5,437

Games played: 1,107

Average point differential: +4.91

21. John Havlicek

Point differential: +5,421

Games played: 1,270

Average point differential: +4.27

22. Danny Green

Point differential: +5,372

Games played: 832

Average point differential: +6.46

23. Kawhi Leonard

Point differential: +5,333

Games played: 733

Average point differential: +7.28

24. Michael Jordan

Point differential: +5,217

Games played: 1,072

Average point differential: +4.87

25. David Robinson

Point differential: +5,216

Games played: 987

Average point differential: +5.28

26. Kevin McHale

Point differential: +5,166

Games played: 971

Average point differential: +5.32

27. Stephen Curry

Point differential: +5,123

Games played: 1,026

Average point differential: +4.99

28. Steve Kerr

Point differential: +5,097

Games played: 910

Average point differential: +5.60

29. Jerome Kersey

Point differential: +5,041

Games played: 1,153

Average point differential: +4.37

30. KC Jones

Point differential: +5,027

Games played: 676

Average point differential: +7.44