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Professional basketball has evolved more than any other sport over the years – from a game dominated by white, two-handed set shot players to the athletic players of today. The three-point shot altered the game also, as did the outlawing, then re-instituting, the use of zone defense. Here are 5 players who changed the game during their careers:

1. Wilt Chamberlain – if this photo looks familiar, it’s because “Wilt The Stilt” was recently included as one of the top 5 centers of all time also. Like George Mikan before him, Chamberlain was a physical freak who dominated opponents. Because of his domination, the NBA widened the free throw lanes and instituted the three second rule to try to cut down on that dominance. It is also said that league referees called more goaltending violations against him because of his shot-blocking ability.

2. Julius Erving – “Doctor J” entered pro ball with the fledgling ABA and helped create excitement for the new league with a dazzling style that promoted athleticism, leaping ability and tremendous body control. His dunks throughout his career were legendary and still are shown on highlight shows. Erving evolved into a consummate team player and helped the 76ers win a championship, and his play was so much more than just the dazzling dunks he is remembered for. He is considered the player who launched the modern-day style of playing above the rim into the NBA.

3. Drazen Petrovic – Petrovic, along with the Lakers’ Vlade Divac, ushered in the era of the dominating European players. He helped blaze the trail for other Europeans, ironically starting his NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers. He was an outstanding shooting guard and eventually became a serviceable player with the Nets. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident in 1993, cutting his NBA career to only 5 years. Although his full potential was never realized, there’s no denying his contribution of helping bring European players to the pro game.

4. Magic Johnson – “Magic” entered the NBA along with Larry Bird in 1979, and their rivalry throughout the 1980s helped revive interest in the game. He teamed with Kareem Abdul Jabbar and a talented Laker team to win 5 NBA titles during the decade, and was a 3-time league MVP. The thing that puts him on this list, however, is his unique style of play. He was a 6’9″ point guard, unheard of in the game back then, and displayed tremendous athleticism for his size. Magic got all his teammates involved in the game and made the players around him better – even star players like Jabbar, James Worthy and Jamaal Wilkes. A defining moment in his career was in the 1980 Finals, when he started at center in place of an injured Jabbar and played a great game. He was Finals MVP that year, his rookie season.

5. Michael Jordan – like both Dr. J and Magic before him, Jordan entered the NBA with high expectations, and wound up exceeding those expectations. Early in his career, amazingly, Jordan was going through the same thing LeBron James is now. His Bulls’ teams couldn’t get past the bad boy Detroit Pistons and critics began to say he couldn’t win the big ones. Jordan didn’t run off to join a team with better players to try to help him win – he stayed in Chicago and lifted those Bulls’ teams to 6 NBA titles, and is arguably the most talented, and most exciting player of all time.