Who is the best player in each teams history?
I don't know all of them but:
Boston: Russell/Bird (I prefer Bird)
Bobcats: Gerald Wallace?
Chicago: Jordan
Cleveland: LeBron
Dallas: Dirk
Detroit: IT
LAL: Magic/Kobe
Miami: LeBron
Milwaukee: Lew Alcindor
Minnesota: KG
Seattle: Payton/Durant
Orlando: Shaq
Philly: Dr. J/Iverson
San Antonio: Duncan
Toronto: Vince Carter
Utah: Malone
For me:
Atlanta Hawks - Dominque Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Jason Kidd?
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron James
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Alex English
Detroit Pistons - Isaiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors - Rick Barry
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers - Elton Brand
Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe Bryant
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat - Lebron James
Milwaukee Bucks - Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets - Larry Johnson
New York Knicks - Willis Reed
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder - Gary Payton
Orlando Magic - Shaquille O'neal
Philadelphia 76ers - Allen Iverson
Phoenix Suns - Charles Barkley
Portland Trailblazers - Clyde Drexler
Sacramento Kings - Chris Webber
San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter
Utah Jazz - Karl Malone
Washington Wizards - Wes Unseld
Can't bring myself to do all of the teams.... here are some that I had to think about
Knicks: Walt Frazier
Nuggets: Alex English
Magic: It's hard, but gotta give it to Dwight
Bobcats: Raymond Felton.... He was on the cats for a while, and was one of their leaders for their playoff berth.
Lakers: Kobe Bryant (I want to say Magic, but Kobe has proved more with more years at a high level)
Pretty good lists but don't you think it's a little too soon to put LeBron as Miami's best player of all time when he only played two seasons there. Right now it should be DWade but at least have Lebron play four seasons there before he can be considered their best of all time. We all know LeBron will go down as their best player but at least let DWade have credit for his nine seasons and two championships.
A lot easier just to give a detailed description of my favorite teams best player in franchise history. Then to go through all the teams
Baltimore/Washington Bullets
Wes Unseld - #2 pick in the 1968 Draft. Won ROY and MVP in the SAME season in 1969 which had only been done before by Wilt Chamberlain. 1978 NBA Finals MVP. 5 All-Star appearences. 4 NBA Finals Appearences. #41 Retired by the Bullets/Wizards.
Yeah I agree, it should be Wade hands down, the guy won a championship in his second season as Finals MVP, carried terrible teams to the playoffs before the Decision and was a crucial part in the success of this most recent Heat outfit.
If you're going to say Lebron is already Miami's best player in franchise history you might as well say Jordan is the Wizards' best player. This isn't the best player to play with that franchise, it's the player who played the best with that franchise; it's got to be Wade.
"This isn't the best player to play with that franchise, it's the player who played the best with that franchise; it's got to be Wade"
I agree with the 1st sentence but not with the 2nd. It says best player for each team, not career. Is LeBron not the best player to ever be in Miami? Wade has never been better then LeBron is right now. And Jordan in Washington would be completely different, Jordan wasn't amazing in Washington. Which historical Miami player would you take over 2012 LeBron James? I can't name any, but I could name quite a few Wizards/Bullets better then 40 year old MJ.
Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Bill Russ
NJ/Brooklyn Nets -???
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace (jesus this franchise is terrible lmao)
Chicago Bulls -MJ
Cleveland Cavaliers -Bron
Dallas Mavericks -Dirk
Denver Nuggets -Melo? / Alex English?
Detroit Pistons -Isiah
Golden State Warriors -Wilt (idk if he counts) Ricky Barry
Houston Rockets - Dream
Indiana Pacers - Reggie
Los Angeles Clippers - Elton "my knees" Brand
Los Angeles Lakers - Magic "poison ivy"
Memphis Grizzles - Pau / Gay?
Miami Heat -Wade
Milwaukee Bucks -Lew
Minnesota Timberwolves -KG
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -???
New York Knicks -???
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -Gary Payton / KD
Orlando Magic -Shaq / T-mac
Philadelphia 76ers -AI
Phoenix Suns - Sir Charles
Portland Trailblazers -Sam bowie ... lol Clyde
Sacramento Kings -Chris Webber
San Antonio Spurs -Timmy D
Toronto Raptors -Half man half amazing
Utah Jazz -Stockton
Washington Wizards - Hayes
Atlanta Hawks - Dominque Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Larry Bird
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Dr. J
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron James
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Alex English
Detroit Pistons - Isaiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors/San Francisco - Wilt Chamberlain
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers/Buffalo Braves - Bob McAdoo
Los Angeles Lakers - Magic
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat - Lebron James
Milwaukee Bucks - Lew Alcindor
Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
New York Knicks - Willis Reed
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder - Gary Payton
Orlando Magic - Shaquille O'neal
Philadelphia 76ers - Dr. J
Phoenix Suns - Charles Barkley
Portland Trailblazers - Clyde Drexler
Sacramento Kings/Cincinnati - Oscar Robertson
San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter
Utah Jazz - Karl Malone
Washington Wizards - Wes Unseld
Atlanta Hawks -D. Wilkins
Boston Celtics -Bill russel/Larry bird
NJ/Brooklyn Nets -Jason kidd
Charlotte Bobcats -Gerald wallace
Chicago Bulls -MJ
Cleveland Cavaliers -Lebron
Dallas Mavericks -Dirk
Denver Nuggets -Alex english
Detroit Pistons -Isiah thomas
Golden State Warriors -Rick barry/Monta ellis
Houston Rockets -Hakeem Olojawon
Indiana Pacers -Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers -Lamar Odom
Los Angeles Lakers -Magic Johnson/Kobe Bryant/Kareem
Memphis Grizzles-Pau Gasol
Miami Heat -Alonzo MOurning/SHAQ
Milwaukee Bucks -Ellis
Minnesota Timberwolves -Kevin Love
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -CP3
New York Knicks -Bernard King/Patrick ewing
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -Gary payton/Kevin Durant
Orlando Magic -SHAQ/dwight
Philadelphia 76ers -Iverson
Phoenix Suns -nash/Charles Barkley
Portland Trailblazers -Clyde drexler
San Antonio Spurs -David Robinson/tim duncan
Toronto Raptors -Bosh
Utah Jazz -Karl Malone/John stockton
Washington Wizards -John wall/caron butler
How is Monta Ellis or Rick Barry anywhere near as good as Wilt?
CP3 is better than Odom ever was
KG is miles ahead of Love
How is Monta Ellis as good as Oscar Robertson ?
Wall hasn't done anything to prove he belongs as an all time great in Washington. Arenas deserves more praise than him
Toronto also had a young Tmac ...
No way I put Chris Bosh up there for TO. It would have been T Mac had he stayed longer, but I think Vince is really the only one who remotely fits the bill (and I am not a huge VC fan or anything)
For the Raptors you might as well debate all time fan favourite or most games played. Alvin William / JYD / Jose Calderon. Then you can have some fun. My pic would be Bargs...and hey, he may eventually prove to be one of their best in the long run - we'll see.
Atlanta Hawks - Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks), Dominique Wilkins (Atlanta)
Boston Celtics - Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Buck Williams (NBA), Dr. J (ABA)
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace (man, I really want to say Michael Kidd-Gilchrist)
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Dan Issel (ABA/NBA), Alex English (NBA)
Detroit Pistons - Isiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia), Rick Barry (San Francisco/GS)
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers - Bob McAdoo (Buffalo Braves), Danny Manning (Clippers)
Los Angeles Lakers - George Mikan (Minneapolis), Magic Johnson (Los Angeles)
Memphis Grizzlies -- Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver), Pau Gasol (Memphis)
Miami Heat -- Dwyane Wade
Milwaukee Bucks -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar aka Lew Alcindor
Minnesota Timberwolves -- Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -- Larry Johnson-- Charlotte, Chris Paul-- New Orleans
New York Knicks -- Willis Reed
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -- Seattle -- Gary Payton, OKC -- Kevin Durant
Orlando Magic -- Shaq
Philadelphia 76ers -- Dr. J
Phoenix Suns -- Charles Barkley (only four years, but one MVP, and one Finals)
Portland Trailblazers -- Clyde Drexler
Sacramento Kings -- Oscar Robertson (Cincy Royals), Mitch Richmond (Sacramento)
San Antonio Spurs -- George Gervin (ABA), Tim Duncan (NBA)
Toronto Raptors -- Vince Carter
Utah Jazz -- John Stockton (points off for Karl Malone for joining the Lakers)
Washington Wizards -- Wes Unseld
^^^^
Thanks Y2G. I should also add Pistol Pete for the New Orleans Jazz with Stockton being the best Utah Jazz player ever. Indiana also had several good ABA players to chose from but I haven't done much homework on them. I think Mel Daniels was a good one, along with Roger Brown.
Atlanta Hawks - Bob Pettit. Won their only championship against Bill Russell and the Celtics in '58
Boston Celtics - Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Dr. J
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls - Michael
Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk
Denver Nuggets - Alex English. Could've easily been David Thompson had he not had a thing for nose candy
Detroit Pistons - Isiah
Golden State Warriors - Stilt Chamberlin
Houston Rockets - Hakeem
Indiana Pacers - Reggie
Los Angeles Clippers - Bob McAdoo
Los Angeles Lakers - Magic
Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat - Wade...this will be Lebron in a year or two though
Milwaukee Bucks - Kareem
Minnesota Timberwolves - KG
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
New York Knicks - Ewing
Seattle Supersonics- Payton.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Durant
Orlando Magic - Shaq
Philadelphia 76ers - Dr. J. Tempted to put Wilt here though
Phoenix Suns - Steve Nash. Don't underestimate how much he has meant to this franchise. More than Sir Charles
Portland Trailblazers - Clyde
Sacramento Kings - Oscar Robertson
San Antonio Spurs - Duncan
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter
Utah Jazz - Mailman
Washington Wizards - Earl Monroe. Almost went with Hayes but Monroe was such an outstanding player with this franchise
Some teams have to have a couple of dudes
Hawks- Dominique Wilkins
Boston- Russell/bird/Mchale (this is the hardest because their are so many good players from the Celtics)
Nets- Julius Erving
Bobcats- Gerald Wallace
Bulls- Michael Jordan (And with the thrid pick I made the earth sick, MJ)
Cavs- Lebron James
Mavs- Dirk
Denver- Alex English
Detroit - Isaiah Thomas
GS Warriors- Rick Barry/Wilt
Houston- Hakeem Olajuwon
Pacers- Reggie Miller
LAL- Kareem, Kobe, Magic,Wilt
LAC- Elton Brand
Vancouver/Memphis- Pau Gasol
Heat- Dwayne Wade
Bucks-Kareem/Oscar Robertson(The Big "O" first five years in the league 30-10-11, he is the main reason that I added other players to some of the teams)
Timberwolves- Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets- Larry Johnson
New York Knicks- Frazier,Ewing, Bernard King,Monroe aka Black Jesus,
Seattle SuperSonics/Thunder- Gary Payton
Orlando- Shaq
76ers- Allen Iverson
Suns- Charles Barkley
Portland- Drexler
Kings- Webber
Spurs- Tim Duncan
Raptors- I guess you can put Vince here but I'm not sure if I want to put any name
Jazz- Malone
Washington- Unseld/Hayes
I think that going with rich or webb is cool but I like what webber did overall for the team during his time with Sac town.
Richmond: Webber:
91-92: 22,4,5 98-99: 20,13,4
92-93: 21,3,4 99-00: 24,10,4
93-94: 23,3,4 00-01: 27,11,4
94-95: 22,4,3 01-02: 24,10,4
95-96: 23,3,3 02-03: 23,10,5
96-97: 25,3,4 03-04: 18,8,4
97-98: 23,3,4 04-05: 19,9,4
This list is based on what each player did while they were on that particular team (in the NBA, mind you), not over their entire career:
Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Jason Kidd
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace (in their young history)
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan (probably biggest no brainer)
Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James (honestly, even though he only lasted 7 years, was by far their best player)
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Alex English
Detroit Pistons - Isiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors - Rick Barry
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers - Bob McAdoo (they did start out as the Buffalo Braves, lol. If not, than probably Elton Brand. Honestly, it will more than likely be Chris Paul or Blake Griffin pretty soon)
Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe Bryant
Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat - Dwyane Wade (Yes, LeBron has been better since getting their. Still, Dwyane Wade has played in Miami his entire career and has that 2006 ring. If you are talking about Heat history, LeBron will need more than two years to compete with that)
Milwaukee Bucks - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
New York Knicks - Willis Reed
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder - Gary Payton
Orlando Magic - Shaquille O'Neal
Philadelphia 76ers - Julius Erving (Dr. J lost three Finals before finally winning with Moses Malone in 1982-83. Still, he went to the Finals 4 times from 1977-82, plus a couple Conference Championships. Talk about keeping a team competitive. Wilt Chamberlain didn't play for the 76ers long enough. Allen Iverson was awesome, but I think I will go with Dr. J)
Phoenix Suns - Charles Barkley (though Steve Nash was pretty great for them as well)
Portland Trailblazers - Clyde Drexler (I know Bill Walton won their only ring, but Clyde was with the team for a longer period and was durable. He led them to a couple NBA Finals and kept Portland on a long play-off streak)
Sacramento Kings - Oscar Robertson (when they were the Cincinnati Royals. Chris Webber was probably the best King, though Mitch Richmond was rock solid for a long time)
San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter
Utah Jazz - Karl Malone (I am sure people will say Stockton as well, but since I choose one, going with the Mailman)
Washington Wizards - Wes Unseld
Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Dr. J
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Alex English
Detroit Pistons - Isiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors - Wilt Chamberlain
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller
Los Angeles Clippers/Buffalo Braves - Bob McAdoo
Los Angeles Lakers - Magic Johnson
Memphis Grizzlies -- Pau Gasol
Miami Heat -- Lebron James
Milwaukee Bucks -- Lew Alcindor
Minnesota Timberwolves -- Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -- Larry Johnson
New York Knicks -- Walt Frazier
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -- Gary Payton
Orlando Magic -- Shaq
Philadelphia 76ers -- Moses Malone
Phoenix Suns -- Charles Barkley
Portland Trailblazers -- Bill Walton
Sacramento Kings -- Chris Webber
San Antonio Spurs -- Tim Duncan
Toronto Raptors -- Vince Carter
Utah Jazz -- Karl Malone
Washington Wizards -- Wes Unseld
I had to change like 10 picks, weak picks son Elton Brand over Mcadoo lollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Atlanta Hawks - Dominque Wilkins
Boston Celtics - Larry Bird
NJ/Brooklyn Nets - Jason Kidd?
Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron James
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets - Alex English( this is by far the closest one Carmelo, David Thompson, Dikembe all close)
Detroit Pistons - Isaiah Thomas
Golden State Warriors - Wilt Chamberlain
Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers - Mel Daniels two time &$#%#&@!kin MVP Reggie a nobody
Los Angeles Clippers - Bob Mcadoo
Los Angeles Lakers - Shaq
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat - Lebron James
Milwaukee Bucks - Kareem
Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul hands down WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
New York Knicks - Patrick Ewing
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder - Gary Payton
Orlando Magic - Shaquille O'neal
Philadelphia 76ers - Moses Malone
Phoenix Suns - Steve Nash( do you realize Barkley only played 4 years in Phoenix? Nash hands down)
Portland Trailblazers - Clyde Drexler
Sacramento Kings - Oscar Robertson
San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter
Utah Jazz - John Stockton
Washington Bullets/Wiz: Elvin Hayes
some of them are hard because of criteria Lebron best ever for the Heat and Kidd for NJ but not a lot of years.
I agree with the 1st sentence but not with the 2nd. It says best player for each team, not career. Is LeBron not the best player to ever be in Miami? Wade has never been better then LeBron is right now. And Jordan in Washington would be completely different, Jordan wasn't amazing in Washington. Which historical Miami player would you take over 2012 LeBron James? I can't name any, but I could name quite a few Wizards/Bullets better then 40 year old MJ.
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I agree with you completely Y2G although it gives me a much different list than most other posters so far.
St Louis/Atlanta Hawks -Bob Petit
Boston Celtics -Larry Bird
New York/NJ/Brooklyn Nets -DR J for ABA, Jason Kidd for NBA
Charlotte Bobcats -Gerald Wallace
Chicago Bulls -MJ
Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron James
Dallas Mavericks -Dirk Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets -Alex English
Detroit Pistons -Isaiah Thomas
Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors -Wilt Chamberlain
San Diego/Houston Rockets -Hakeem Olajuwon
Indiana Pacers -Mel Daniels for ABA, Reggie Miller for NBA
Buffalo Braves/San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers - Bob McAdoo
Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers -Magic Johnson
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzles - Pau Gasol
Miami Heat -Lebron James
Milwaukee Bucks -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Minnesota Timberwolves -Kevin Garnett
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -Chris Paul (2009 season with 22.8 PPG, 11 APG, 5.5 RPG and 2.8 SPG was almost MVP worthy)
New York Knicks -Patrick Ewing
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -Kevin Durant
Orlando Magic -Shaquille O'Neal
Philadelphia 76ers - Wilt Chamberlain (only played 3 and a half years in Philly but arguably had the best years of his career there. Won 3 MVPs and was the focal point of the 68-13 championship team in 1967)
Phoenix Suns -Charles Barkley
Portland Trailblazers -Bill Walton (in 1977 and 1978 Walton was the best Blazer ever; 18.8 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.9 BPG, 1 NBA MVP, 1 Finals MVP, 1 first team All-NBA selection, 1 second team All-NBA selection and a championship in those two seasons)
Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City/Sacramento Kings -Oscar Robertson
San Antonio Spurs -David Robinson (Might be a surprising pick over Duncan but in 1994 Robinson was the best Spur ever putting up 29.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.3 BPG and 1.7 SPG)
Toronto Raptors -Vince Carter
Utah Jazz -Karl Malone
Washington Wizards -Elvin Hayes
Atlanta Hawks -
Boston Celtics -
NJ/Brooklyn Nets -
Charlotte Bobcats -
Chicago Bulls -
Cleveland Cavaliers -
Dallas Mavericks -
Denver Nuggets -
Detroit Pistons -
Golden State Warriors -
Houston Rockets -
Indiana Pacers -
Los Angeles Clippers -
Los Angeles Lakers -
Memphis Grizzles
Miami Heat -
Milwaukee Bucks -
Minnesota Timberwolves -
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets -
New York Knicks -
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder -
Orlando Magic -
Philadelphia 76ers -
Phoenix Suns -
Portland Trailblazers -
Sacramento Kings -
San Antonio Spurs -
Toronto Raptors -
Utah Jazz -
Washington Wizards -