[JM40Participant]

Some friends and I were debating who would be considered the face of each NBA franchise (aka most influential player ever to wear that team’s jersey). Here are my choices;

Boston-Larry Bird, Close 2nd Bill Russell
NJ/Brooklyn-Jason Kidd
Philadelphia-Julius Erving
New York-Patrick Ewing
Toronto-Vince Carter
Chicago-Michael Jordan
Cleveland-LeBron James
Detroit-Isaiah Thomas
Indiana-Reggie Miller
Milwaukee-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Most well known as a Laker, but easily best Bucks player ever)
Atlanta-Bob Pettit, Close 2nd Dominique Wilkins
Charlotte Hornets-Larry Johnson
Miami-Alonzo Mourning, 2nd Place Dwyane Wade
Orlando-Shaquille O’Neal
Washington-Wes Unseld
Dallas-Dirk Nowitzki
Houston-Hakeem Olajuwon
Memphis/Vancouver-Pau Gasol
New Orleans-Pete Maravich
San Antonio-Tim Duncan, 2nd Place David Robinson
Denver-Alex English, Close 2nd Carmelo Anthony
Minnesota-Kevin Garnett
Oklahoma City/Seattle-Kevin Durant, 2nd Gary Payton
Portland-Clyde Drexler, 2nd Bill Walton
Utah-Karl Malone
Golden State-Rick Barry
LA Clippers-Bob McAdoo (with Buffalo Braves)
LA Lakers-Magic Johnson, Very Close 2nd Wilt Chamberlain
Phoenix-Charles Barkley
Sacramento-Oscar Robertson

[ropeParticipant]

Russell should be over Bird.

Try Willis Reed or Walt Frazier for the Knicks, probably Reed.

I think you have a real argument for Nash over Barkley in Phoenix, even though Barkley took them to the Finals.

The Nets were all about Dr J, even though his days were with them in the ABA.

Do not forget that Wilt played for both the Philadelphia 76ers, where he won a title and the Philadelphia Warriors, where he averaged 40 – 50 pts a game.

You have to slide Mourning over the Charlotte which would move Wade up in Miami (with LeBron probably second there, despite the short tenure.)

LeBron is the face of Cleveland, but MJ hitting a shot in Craig Ehlo’s face is probably just as enduring an image.

Utah is Stockon / Malone or Malone / Stockon. They really can’t be separated into two. In Denver Dan Issel overlapped with English and was usually the headliner, but David Thompson is the best player to ever lace them up in the Mile High City.

Even though Portland has had a lot of success over the years, the faces of their franchise are Bill Walton, Sam Bowie and Greg Oden.

Good catch on several of these, though, like catching the well travelled history of the Kings, who Robertson played for in Cincinnati and Bob McAdoo’s tenure with the old Buffalo Braves.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 Sam Bowie and Greg Oden over Clyde??? Walton is debatable, considering his tenure was really short.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 Sam Bowie and Greg Oden over Clyde??? Walton is debatable, considering his tenure was really short.

[ropeParticipant]

I am joking, but only slightly.  The three center injuries are the story of the Blazers.  Clyde was their best player, for sure.  Agreed on that.  The Blazers have to be the unluckiest team in the league when it comes to injuries – those three, Brandon Roy, Darius Myles, etc.

[ropeParticipant]

I am joking, but only slightly.  The three center injuries are the story of the Blazers.  Clyde was their best player, for sure.  Agreed on that.  The Blazers have to be the unluckiest team in the league when it comes to injuries – those three, Brandon Roy, Darius Myles, etc.

[ropeParticipant]

Russell should be over Bird.

Try Willis Reed or Walt Frazier for the Knicks, probably Reed.

I think you have a real argument for Nash over Barkley in Phoenix, even though Barkley took them to the Finals.

The Nets were all about Dr J, even though his days were with them in the ABA.

Do not forget that Wilt played for both the Philadelphia 76ers, where he won a title and the Philadelphia Warriors, where he averaged 40 – 50 pts a game.

You have to slide Mourning over the Charlotte which would move Wade up in Miami (with LeBron probably second there, despite the short tenure.)

LeBron is the face of Cleveland, but MJ hitting a shot in Craig Ehlo’s face is probably just as enduring an image.

Utah is Stockon / Malone or Malone / Stockon. They really can’t be separated into two. In Denver Dan Issel overlapped with English and was usually the headliner, but David Thompson is the best player to ever lace them up in the Mile High City.

Even though Portland has had a lot of success over the years, the faces of their franchise are Bill Walton, Sam Bowie and Greg Oden.

Good catch on several of these, though, like catching the well travelled history of the Kings, who Robertson played for in Cincinnati and Bob McAdoo’s tenure with the old Buffalo Braves.

[Toronto16Participant]

Wade is 1st in Miami with no close 2nd.

[Toronto16Participant]

Wade is 1st in Miami with no close 2nd.

[Make’Em Say UGHParticipant]

Much props for posting.

When I think of ‘face of the franchise’ I think of ICONS that resonate in the minds of the fans, not necessarily the best player to put on a jersey for the franchise – especially if it wasn’t that long of a tenure.

Philadelphia – Gotta mention Iverson as a close second (even first to some people) if we’re talking faces of the franchise/icons.

Bucks – I was thinking The Big O in this spot.

Lakers – Kobe as a close second for me.

But great post nonetheless.

[machu46Participant]

Yeah, I was going to say I think more people think of the Big O rather than Alcindor when they think of the Bucks.  You could even argue Ray Allen at this point, but he isn’t nearly the player those other two were.

I’d go with the Big O.

 

[dcaseParticipant]

Coming from a huge Big O fan………..Not sure why more people would think of the Big O than Kareem when they think of the Bucks.  The Big O only played for them for 4 years at the end of his career and put up numbers well below his career average.  Whereas, Kareem put up monster numbers during his 6-7 years in Milwaukee and won ROY. He was also more of the focal point than Oscar during their championship season. 

[dcaseParticipant]

Coming from a huge Big O fan………..Not sure why more people would think of the Big O than Kareem when they think of the Bucks.  The Big O only played for them for 4 years at the end of his career and put up numbers well below his career average.  Whereas, Kareem put up monster numbers during his 6-7 years in Milwaukee and won ROY. He was also more of the focal point than Oscar during their championship season. 

[machu46Participant]

My guess is that it’s because the only other team he played for doesn’t exist anymore, while Kareem is generally remembered for what he did with the Lakers.

I agree that in their times with the Bucks, Kareem was a far better player though.

 

[machu46Participant]

My guess is that it’s because the only other team he played for doesn’t exist anymore, while Kareem is generally remembered for what he did with the Lakers.

I agree that in their times with the Bucks, Kareem was a far better player though.

 

[ropeParticipant]

The Kings still exist, they have just moved twice.

[ropeParticipant]

The Kings still exist, they have just moved twice.

[machu46Participant]

Yeah, I think you get my point though lol.  He never played for a team called the Kings or a team even on the Western half of the country.

You can’t go wrong with either.

I’m also curious who people would consider the face of the Sacramento Kings.  I think most would probably lean towards Chris Webber even though the Big O is technically a part of their history.  But he was never a King, nor did he play in Sacramento.

 

 

 

[machu46Participant]

Yeah, I think you get my point though lol.  He never played for a team called the Kings or a team even on the Western half of the country.

You can’t go wrong with either.

I’m also curious who people would consider the face of the Sacramento Kings.  I think most would probably lean towards Chris Webber even though the Big O is technically a part of their history.  But he was never a King, nor did he play in Sacramento.

 

 

 

[machu46Participant]

Yeah, I was going to say I think more people think of the Big O rather than Alcindor when they think of the Bucks.  You could even argue Ray Allen at this point, but he isn’t nearly the player those other two were.

I’d go with the Big O.

 

[Make’Em Say UGHParticipant]

Much props for posting.

When I think of ‘face of the franchise’ I think of ICONS that resonate in the minds of the fans, not necessarily the best player to put on a jersey for the franchise – especially if it wasn’t that long of a tenure.

Philadelphia – Gotta mention Iverson as a close second (even first to some people) if we’re talking faces of the franchise/icons.

Bucks – I was thinking The Big O in this spot.

Lakers – Kobe as a close second for me.

But great post nonetheless.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

lmao at rope for mentioning portland’s cursed big men walton,oden and bowie as the face of their franchise…they’ll 4ever be known for that if a big man gets any type of injury..it started with walton ,then oden & bowie,whose careers received farther ridicule becuz they were selected ahead of jordan and durant…but seroiusly most people would say walton and next drexler as the blazers franchise face..

melo over english in denver..and you can make a case for david thompson as the nuggets ..becuz when most people talk about the nuggets think of the days of watching thompson’s high flying act in both the aba & nba..

i’m a huge fan of iverson,but no way he gets ahead of wilt and dr. j and maybe not ahead of barkley…

that new orleans team maravich played on are now the utah jazz…

wade over mourning..even miami’s owner a few weeks ago said wade was the greatest player in their history…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

lmao at rope for mentioning portland’s cursed big men walton,oden and bowie as the face of their franchise…they’ll 4ever be known for that if a big man gets any type of injury..it started with walton ,then oden & bowie,whose careers received farther ridicule becuz they were selected ahead of jordan and durant…but seroiusly most people would say walton and next drexler as the blazers franchise face..

melo over english in denver..and you can make a case for david thompson as the nuggets ..becuz when most people talk about the nuggets think of the days of watching thompson’s high flying act in both the aba & nba..

i’m a huge fan of iverson,but no way he gets ahead of wilt and dr. j and maybe not ahead of barkley…

that new orleans team maravich played on are now the utah jazz…

wade over mourning..even miami’s owner a few weeks ago said wade was the greatest player in their history…

[dcaseParticipant]

NO way Wilt is a very close 2nd to Magic for the face of the Lakers.  He only played 5 seasons for the Lakers and had his worst #s with LAL compared to when he played for other teams.  I would have Kobe, West and Karrem ahead of him too. 

Russell would be the face of the Celtics……and no one else should be close.

Kareem might be the only guy to be the face of two seperate NBA franchises….Milwaukee and some could argue the Lakers (although I give it to Magic).

 

[dcaseParticipant]

NO way Wilt is a very close 2nd to Magic for the face of the Lakers.  He only played 5 seasons for the Lakers and had his worst #s with LAL compared to when he played for other teams.  I would have Kobe, West and Karrem ahead of him too. 

Russell would be the face of the Celtics……and no one else should be close.

Kareem might be the only guy to be the face of two seperate NBA franchises….Milwaukee and some could argue the Lakers (although I give it to Magic).

 

[ropeParticipant]

Since Jerry West is the logo for the league, I am with you. He ought to be pretty high on the Laker list.

[ropeParticipant]

Since Jerry West is the logo for the league, I am with you. He ought to be pretty high on the Laker list.

[TRC1991Participant]

Kobe Bryant over Wilt Chamberlin as 2nd to Magic. 

[TRC1991Participant]

Kobe Bryant over Wilt Chamberlin as 2nd to Magic. 

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

Great post, although I would like to add a few players based on my own humble opinion:

Orlando Magic: Michael Pietrus – I’m sure we can all agree that his amazing three pointers and steals off the bench to lead them to the NBA finals is poster material

Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet – this guy dazzled the league with his uncanny ability to block shots and hit the corner 3.

Chicago Bulls: We all know MJ is first, Scottie is 2nd, and Kukoc is 3rd.  But if we stray away from those teams, I’d like to give honorable mention to Nate "Arbor Day" Robinson.  His playoff performance was memorable as he tore up the nets when the rest of the Bulls team was injured.

Golden State: Baron Davis.  This man single handedly defeat the 67 and 15 Mavs as the 8 seed. 

Sacramento: Doug Christie – King (no pun intended) of steals and Kobe Stopper. 

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

Great post, although I would like to add a few players based on my own humble opinion:

Orlando Magic: Michael Pietrus – I’m sure we can all agree that his amazing three pointers and steals off the bench to lead them to the NBA finals is poster material

Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet – this guy dazzled the league with his uncanny ability to block shots and hit the corner 3.

Chicago Bulls: We all know MJ is first, Scottie is 2nd, and Kukoc is 3rd.  But if we stray away from those teams, I’d like to give honorable mention to Nate "Arbor Day" Robinson.  His playoff performance was memorable as he tore up the nets when the rest of the Bulls team was injured.

Golden State: Baron Davis.  This man single handedly defeat the 67 and 15 Mavs as the 8 seed. 

Sacramento: Doug Christie – King (no pun intended) of steals and Kobe Stopper. 

[r377Participant]

Good list, nice post.

I think Zac Randolph for the Grizzlies. He was bit of a bad boy, turned good and the fans love him. They have also had a decent run in the playoffs in recent times. More playoff success than Gasol.

[r377Participant]

Good list, nice post.

I think Zac Randolph for the Grizzlies. He was bit of a bad boy, turned good and the fans love him. They have also had a decent run in the playoffs in recent times. More playoff success than Gasol.

[barbabodomParticipant]

For Memphis you can just put "Gasol"…Zach would be a close 3rd though

[barbabodomParticipant]

For Memphis you can just put "Gasol"…Zach would be a close 3rd though

[Jco4Participant]

I’m a massive fan of Gary Payton but Shawn Kemp has to be given some credit too, I’d say he was more of a face then Payton.

[Jco4Participant]

I’m a massive fan of Gary Payton but Shawn Kemp has to be given some credit too, I’d say he was more of a face then Payton.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 It would be hard to say Vince Carter will be the face of the franchise in 10 years with the way Derpzan and Lowry have been leading the team as of late.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 It would be hard to say Vince Carter will be the face of the franchise in 10 years with the way Derpzan and Lowry have been leading the team as of late.

[tuck243Participant]

I’ll go with popularity for the most part… If its a tie, the better player wins out…
Boston – Larry Bird and close 2nd Bill Russell

NJ/Brooklyn – Jason Kidd and Dr. J (tie)

Philadelphia – Allen Iverson and close second Dr. J… Dr. J might have been the better player, but AI changed the league and IS Philly…

New York – Patrick Ewing (growing up, by Clyde Frazier here too)

Toronto – Vince Carter (for now)

Chicago – Michael Jordan

Cleveland – LeBron James

Detroit – Isaiah Thomas

Indiana – Reggie Miller

Milwaukee – Kareem… Close second Ray and Oscar

Atlanta – Dominique Wilkins

Charlotte Hornets – Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and maybe Baron Davis

Miami – Dwyane Wade and 2nd Alonzo Mourning

Orlando – Shaquille O’Neal or Penny Hardaway… Penny was everyone’s favorite player growing up.

Washington – Wes Unseld

Dallas – Dirk Nowitzki

Houston – Hakeem Olajuwon

Memphis/Vancouver – (this is actually a toss up) Pau Gasol, Mike Bibby, Marc Gasol, Z-Bo, Shareef

New Orleans – ?? Jazz, Hornets, or Pelicans? LOL… I’ll go with the current team… Anthony Davis – Pelicans Hornets – CP3, Jazz – Pistol Pete…

San Antonio-Tim Duncan, 2nd Place David Robinson

Denver – Mutumbo tie with Carmelo Anthony

Minnesota – Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett, Lakers – George Mikan

Seattle – Gary Payton and OKC – Kevin Durant

Portland – Bill Walton and 2nd Clyde Drexler

Utah – Karl Malone tied with Stockton

Golden State – Rick Barry

LA Clippers – Blake Griffin

LA Lakers – Magic Johnson, Kobe second, Kareem 3rd, Jerry West 4th, Shaq 5th, and Wilt & Worthy tied… Wilt was on so many teams and this was the end of his career… I wouldn’t put him above all the rest of mentioned players

Sac-town – Webber and Mitch Richmond… Cincinnati – The Big O

[tuck243Participant]

I’ll go with popularity for the most part… If its a tie, the better player wins out…
Boston – Larry Bird and close 2nd Bill Russell

NJ/Brooklyn – Jason Kidd and Dr. J (tie)

Philadelphia – Allen Iverson and close second Dr. J… Dr. J might have been the better player, but AI changed the league and IS Philly…

New York – Patrick Ewing (growing up, by Clyde Frazier here too)

Toronto – Vince Carter (for now)

Chicago – Michael Jordan

Cleveland – LeBron James

Detroit – Isaiah Thomas

Indiana – Reggie Miller

Milwaukee – Kareem… Close second Ray and Oscar

Atlanta – Dominique Wilkins

Charlotte Hornets – Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and maybe Baron Davis

Miami – Dwyane Wade and 2nd Alonzo Mourning

Orlando – Shaquille O’Neal or Penny Hardaway… Penny was everyone’s favorite player growing up.

Washington – Wes Unseld

Dallas – Dirk Nowitzki

Houston – Hakeem Olajuwon

Memphis/Vancouver – (this is actually a toss up) Pau Gasol, Mike Bibby, Marc Gasol, Z-Bo, Shareef

New Orleans – ?? Jazz, Hornets, or Pelicans? LOL… I’ll go with the current team… Anthony Davis – Pelicans Hornets – CP3, Jazz – Pistol Pete…

San Antonio-Tim Duncan, 2nd Place David Robinson

Denver – Mutumbo tie with Carmelo Anthony

Minnesota – Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett, Lakers – George Mikan

Seattle – Gary Payton and OKC – Kevin Durant

Portland – Bill Walton and 2nd Clyde Drexler

Utah – Karl Malone tied with Stockton

Golden State – Rick Barry

LA Clippers – Blake Griffin

LA Lakers – Magic Johnson, Kobe second, Kareem 3rd, Jerry West 4th, Shaq 5th, and Wilt & Worthy tied… Wilt was on so many teams and this was the end of his career… I wouldn’t put him above all the rest of mentioned players

Sac-town – Webber and Mitch Richmond… Cincinnati – The Big O

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 What about a breakdown by city?

Grizzlies:

Vancouver: Shareef Abdur Rahim

Memphis: Zach Randolph: Put us on his back more than a few times.  Gave us an identity.  

Hawks:

St. Louis: Bob Petit

Atlanta: Dominique Wilkins

Clippers:

Buffalo Braves: Randy Smith?  Bob McAdoo?

San Diego Clippers: Norm Nixon?

LA Clippers: Blake Griffin

Jazz:

New Orleans: Pistol Pete

Utah: Stockton-Malone: can’t separate these guys.  If you could, well, Stockton has two all-time career records (assists and steals) and retired as a member of the Jazz.

Lakers:

Minny: George Mikan

LA: Magic Johnson.  Magic made the LA Lakers the LA LAKERS.

Nets:

New York (ABA): Dr. J

New Jersey (NBA): Jason Kidd

Brooklyn (NBA): Joe Johnson’s contract

Kings:

Cincy Royals: Oscar Robertson

KC Kings: ??? Tiny Archibald

Sacramento: Chris Webber.  He made them a contender.  

Warriors:

Philly: Wilt

Golden State: Rick Barry.  I would go with this one: Gave them a title.  Steph is making a run though…

I guess the Syracuse Nationals and Philly 76ers should be done too.

Who was the Nats guy?  Neil Johnston?  

Philly: Dr. J. Basically kept TWO basketball leagues afloat.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 What about a breakdown by city?

Grizzlies:

Vancouver: Shareef Abdur Rahim

Memphis: Zach Randolph: Put us on his back more than a few times.  Gave us an identity.  

Hawks:

St. Louis: Bob Petit

Atlanta: Dominique Wilkins

Clippers:

Buffalo Braves: Randy Smith?  Bob McAdoo?

San Diego Clippers: Norm Nixon?

LA Clippers: Blake Griffin

Jazz:

New Orleans: Pistol Pete

Utah: Stockton-Malone: can’t separate these guys.  If you could, well, Stockton has two all-time career records (assists and steals) and retired as a member of the Jazz.

Lakers:

Minny: George Mikan

LA: Magic Johnson.  Magic made the LA Lakers the LA LAKERS.

Nets:

New York (ABA): Dr. J

New Jersey (NBA): Jason Kidd

Brooklyn (NBA): Joe Johnson’s contract

Kings:

Cincy Royals: Oscar Robertson

KC Kings: ??? Tiny Archibald

Sacramento: Chris Webber.  He made them a contender.  

Warriors:

Philly: Wilt

Golden State: Rick Barry.  I would go with this one: Gave them a title.  Steph is making a run though…

I guess the Syracuse Nationals and Philly 76ers should be done too.

Who was the Nats guy?  Neil Johnston?  

Philly: Dr. J. Basically kept TWO basketball leagues afloat.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 For Syracuse, maybe Dolph Schayes is someone to select.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 For Syracuse, maybe Dolph Schayes is someone to select.

[Author]

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