The List: Seven players who deserve a statue
Dominique Wilkins had a statue erected in his honor this past week, and for good reason. Wilkins is an outstanding ambassador to an Atlanta franchise that is eager to honor its own.
But Wilkins certainly isn't the only NBA legend that deserves a statue. Along with the new Wilkins statue in Atlanta, Magic Johnson (Lakers), Michael Jordan (Bulls), Bill Russell (Celtics), Wilt Chamberlain (Sixers), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers), Jerry West (Lakers), Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets), Karl Malone (Jazz), John Stockton (Jazz) and George Mikan (Timberwolves) are all immortalized in granite or bronze.
But what other NBA legends are worthy of a statue? Here are seven players that should have a statue built for them some time in the near future.
7) Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Wade has three championships in South Beach and will easily go down as the best player in the franchise's history, with longevity taken into account. LeBron James may have been the best player on the last two Heat championship teams, but Wade has been the one rock in the franchise's history. He is their all-time leader in points, assists and steals, and if it were up to Wade, he would stay in a Miami Heat uniform for life.
6) Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
It's truly rare to see a player-owner relationship as tight as Nowitzki and Mark Cuban's, and that's just one of many reasons why Nowitzki should get a statue one day. Like Wade, he's the best player in his franchise's history. Dirk put basketball in Dallas back on the map, and for many years, the Mavericks were easily the best team in town. Nowitzki is in the conversation to be considered the best international player ever, and the sharpshooting big man should be a fixture in Dallas forever.
5) Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
In all honesty, how cool would Reggie's choke gesture he made against the Knicks look as a statue inside of Bankers Life Fieldhouse? Sure, the choking gesture is unlikely, but Miller is still very deserving of having a statue. He played his entire brilliant career with the Pacers and holds franchise records in scoring, assists and 3-point shooting. Miller was one of the first guys in the league to truly embrace the 3-point shot and make it a major part of his offensive arsenal. His impact will be felt on the NBA forever, and as of now, he's the greatest Pacer ever.
4) David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
If there's a few things many of these NBA greats have in common, it's these: many of them have played their entire career with one franchise, and many of them brought respectability to their city from a basketball standpoint. Robinson was the straw that stirred the drink in San Antonio for years, and The Admiral started a spectacular run in San Antonio taht continues today. Along with Robinson and the next player on this list, it's hard to find two better guys equipped to represent a franchise.
3) Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
In reality, shouldn't this statue be a trio of Robinson, Duncan and Gregg Popovich together? Robinson was a part of the Spurs' first two titles, but Duncan has been there for all five. You really can't say too many good things about Duncan, and he is arguably the greatest power forward to ever play the game. It was hard to imagine anyone ever surpassing Robinson's greatness in San Antonio, but if ever there were someone fit to be that person, it would be Duncan.
2) Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Thanks to Hal Greer, Iverson actually doesn't hold the majority of the 76ers' franchise records, which is pretty astounding considering how dynamic he was. Pound for pound, Iverson may have been the most talented player to ever be in the NBA, made most evident in his MVP-winning season (2000-01)when he dragged a mediocre 76ers team to the NBA Finals.
1) Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe might not be the best Laker of all time, but he's certainly up there. And for a franchise that is one of the most successful ever in any professional sport, that's saying something. Slightly overlapping with Michale Jordan's career, Bryant still won five titles, including two rings without Shaquille O'Neal who he often feuded with through the years despite their success together. Now No. 3 on the NBA's all-time scoring list, Kobe deserves a statue inside or outside of the Staples Center upon his retirement.