I did this for the NFL on Wednesday and for MLB yesterday, so today it's time to put a face on every NBA franchise. Basically, this is the player that embodies that team the most. This isn't just current players-it's all time. Let me just say that I didn't see a lot of the old timers play, so there may be quite a few that you disagree with. Here we go:
Boston Celtics- Bill Russell
New Jersey Nets- Jason Kidd
New York Knicks- Patrick Ewing
Philadelphia 76ers- Julius Erving
Toronto Raptors- Chris Bosh
Chicago Bulls- Michael Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers- Lebron James
Detroit Pistons- Isiah Thomas
Indiana Pacers- Reggie Miller
Milwaukee Bucks- Jack Sikma
Atlanta Hawks- Dominique Wilkens
Charlotte Bobcats- Emeka (sp?) Okafor
Miami Heat- Dwyane Wade
Orlando Magic- Shaquille O'Neal
Washington Wizards- Michael Jordan
Dallas Mavericks- Dirk Nowitzki
Houston Rockets- Hakeem Olajuwon
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies- Bryant Reeves
New Orleans Hornets- Chris Paul
San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan
Denver Nuggets- Carmelo Anthony
Minnesota Timberwolves- Kevin Garnett
Portland Trail Blazers- Clyde Drexler
Seattle SuperSonics- Gary Payton
Utah Jazz- John Stockton
Golden State Warriors- Chris Mullin
L.A. Clippers- Elton Brand
L.A. Lakers- Magic Johnson
Phoenix Suns- Kevin Johnson
Sacramento Kings- Mitch Richmond
This one should bring up a lot of debate as I'm not as familiar with the NBA as I am with the NFL or MLB.
Shaquille O'Neal for the Orlando Magic? Sure I know he took them to the finals, but really, do you think of Shaq when you think of Orlando, or do you think of Dwight Howard?
Gary Payton?!?!?! NO NO NO, we don't have a Mr. Sonic for nothing. Nate McMillan is the logical choice of Lenny Wilkins. I love me some Glove but after Kemp was gone he lost a lot of his magic for the team.
Read the post-this isn't just for current-it's all time. Dwight Howard hasn't played enough for that title yet. Currently, he is the face of their franchise-but thinking of their history, I have a lot more memories of Shaq, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, and Dennis Scott before getting to Dwight Howard.
Bleed... I disagree about Vince Carter for the Raptors, Chris Bosh is basically now their all time leader in almost every offensive category... He'll be the man for a long time to come in Toronto.
I think it should be
Magic - Dwight Howard
Lakers - Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson
Suns - Steve Nash
Jazz - Karl Malone
Grizzlies - Pau Gasol
Wizards - Gilbert Arenas
Bucks - Lew Alcindor
Celtics - Larry Bird
Warriors - Rick Barry
Kings - Chris Webber
Blazers - Bill Walton
Raptors - Vince Carter
Boston-Larry Bird (Bird and Magic changed the game and made it what it was, Russel was great but played in easier less popular NBA)
Nets-Richard Jefferson (been there whole career, seems more liked than any net since bernard king)
Detroit-Joe Dumars (no brainer one of the all time greatest Pistons, also GM's them to a championship and still is running a tight ship.)
Miluakee Bucks- I think you go Oscar Robertson here even though he only played four years, he was one of the top ten players ever and is not the face anywhere else, or Kareem he led them to championship and earned to or 3 MVP's there
Miami Heat-Alonzo Morning-Dwayde hasnt been there long enough, Alonzo two stays there
