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With news of LeBron James’ Mt. Rushmore of his four greatest NBA players getting out before his NBA TV interview this past Monday, the Sports With Biers staff decided they needed to tackle this question themselves. However, we decided to put our own twist on the idea and go with our Mt. Rushmore of favourite players to watch of the post Jordan era, since we aren’t quite old enough to have critically watched most of the players in the 90s. This list can go a number of different ways, as all of us have different styles of play that we each enjoy watching, whether it’s scoring machine, athletic marvels, passing whizzes, hulking big men, or beast defenders, and, as you know, we don’t agree on much. So sit back and enjoy our walk down memory lane. We start with Oakley native, Sacramento-loving, Ryan Rodriguez.
Allen Iverson
I am starting with Allen Iverson, my undisputed favourite athlete of all time. For me, AI is everything I ever wanted in a basketball player: polarizing, fearless, super athletic, true to his home, a trendsetter and trail blazer, and, most of all, someone who believed he was the best player every time he stepped on the court.
I wanted the Iverson jersey (the blue one to be exact), and I even wanted the cornrows. AI embodied everything I wanted to be as an athlete, someone who played with no fear, did whatever it took to win, had the unstoppable will to dominate the person across from him, and every time he got knocked down, he would get right back up. I always respected him for not conforming to mainstream America and staying true to his roots, even if it hurt him at times, because I always liked to believe I would stay the same way if I was famous.
My favourite Iverson memory was probably when he dropped 48 on the Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals, and in the process, crossed Tyron Lue so badly that he was able to drill the jumper with Lue in his eye and then step over him. Apart from this shot, I practised the iconic Iverson crossover time after time on my driveway court, trying to perfect the move so I could take it into games on the weekend, hoping to break ankles like my boy on TV.
Rooting for Iverson was never about hoping he would win a championship – you knew that probably wasn’t going to happen – but rather about enjoying watching a guy so short and so skinny dominate a game made for giants.
Chris Webber
I had to have a King on this list, and though I had a Mike Bibby jersey growing up, C-Webb is the one who truly had my heart. C-Webb made everything cool and it all started with the behind the back passes he was always throwing around. He started my love of high post passing big men, and it sure helped that he possessed the handles and athleticism of a guard. He was always playing with a smile, making everyone around him better, and I couldn’t help but think how fun it would be to play with this guy.
Did he have a problem when the game got tight? Yeah, but what he would do in the 44 minutes prior to the crunch time was always so great, so beautiful, that it only bothered me because it meant my favourite team might not win the title. It always saddened me that his career was cut short due to the horrible injury he suffered in the 2003 playoffs, but those first five years on the Kings will be hard for anyone to match in my book.
Let’s put it this way: I’ve loved ‘Melo ever since I read about him in the December issue of Sports Illustrated in his freshman year at Syracuse, when LeBron kept telling him, “You made a mistake going to college”. When he led his team to the title that year I was hooked for life and since then, it’s been a wonderful roller coaster ride. Until Kevin Durant came along, I had never seen a guy score so effortlessly from anywhere on the court. To me, his combination of strength and quickness is one of the greatest things to watch in the game, especially because you don’t expect a guy who looks like him to all of a sudden blow past his man.
People are always bothered by his shooting, and I get the argument, but when you sit back and just watch him, it’s amazing how he consistently opens the tiniest cracks of space with his jab step to get the mid-range jumper off. His release is so quick and so wet that it sometimes looks like he’s flicking the ball at the hoop, and it’s a joy to watch.
When ‘Melo has it going, there are no drives, there are no free throws, it’s just a guy stroking jumpers from the 15-feet out and three-point territory with an assassin’s precision. Maybe it isn’t the best way to score, but just watching him drop 62 on the Bobcats or 50 on the Heat in this fashion really cannot be described; you can only sit back and enjoy the beautiful ride. When it comes to favourite players, I’m always looking for people with an elite skill, and ‘Melo has that in scoring. Highlights are here.
Rajon Rondo
10 and 4. Those are the number of playoff triple-doubles Rondo has in his career and the rank he is on the all-time list, respectively. They tie him with the great Larry Bird and perfectly illustrate his best quality: that the guy raises his game to a true all-round level in the playoffs. I love unique players, and no one is more unique than Rondo. I instantly fell in love with him during the 2009 playoffs when he almost averaged triple-double over 14 games (16.9 points 9.7 boards, 9.8 assists), a truly remarkable feet for a 6’1” point guard. I love how Rondo can affect the game in so many different ways, how he controls the pace on both the fastbreak and the halfcourt, allowing him to pile up assist after assist, and his vision that only four people I have ever seen play possess.
But most of all, I love “playoff Rondo”, the guy who plays with a chip – actually, more like a boulder – on his shoulder, the guy who seems like a tortured genius working towards his point guard PhD in the most pressure-packed situation. It’s like a switch is flipped from regular season to playoffs and this guy goes from pass first, second, and third point guard, to all around, do whatever it takes even if that means dropping 44-point guard. When he wants to and it’s all clicking in a game, he throws in his name, stats-wise, in with people like Magic, Bird, Robertson, James, Chamberlain and Kidd, otherwise known as the standard bearers for the triple-double club. This, above all else, is why I love Rondo, and I can’t wait until he is fully recovered from his ACL tear. Highlights are here.
Next up, we have the Warriors’ biggest fan (and douchebag), Matt Tuckness.
Prior to the Heat’s acquisition of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade was by far my favourite player in the NBA. I immediately fell in love with his athletic style and grace after he took an average Marquette program and vaulted them into the Stratosphere. His 2002-2003 Marquette team was the first Marquette team to make it to the final four in 25 years. He was then drafted as the fifth pick by the Heat and at the time I didn’t know much about the Eastern Conference, being a West Coast boy and a Warriors fan. He really opened my eyes to all of the talent in the league and when he was eventually paired with Shaq, I was pumped about the NBA.
Shaq immediately gave Wade the nickname “Flash”, which was perfect for Wade’s style of play. He was all over the floor with his speed and athleticism. I thought he was the best two-way guard in the NBA for a long time, even when Kobe was putting up 35 ppg. He may be the best shot-blocking guard of all time and had a knack for getting the steals as well. Wade put together one of the most clutch finals performances in NBA history and upset a heavily favoured Mavs squad after being down 0-2.
He is the only player to win a Finals MVP on a Finals team that had Shaq on it (couldn’t resist taking a shot a Kobe). He also has one of the greatest regular seasons of all time with 30ppg, 7.5ast, 5reb, 1.8spg, and 1bpg while shooting 49%. Check out Game 3 of the Finals where Wade put up 42 points and 13 boards while putting together a clutch 4th quarter to pull out a big win and turn the series around. Or his impressive game 6 performance with 36 points, 10 boards, 5 assist, 4 steals, and 3 blocks to close out the Mavs in Dallas. Thinking of D-wade and the 2014 Heat just makes me miss Flash more and more.
Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby is the man who man who got me into the NBA. The 2001-2002 Kings with him and C-Webb leading the way was one of my favourite teams. As a bay area boy, my Warriors were bad, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t root against the Lakers. The Kings were my best chance and with C-Webb’s inability to perform in crunch time, it always fell to Bibby to hit the big shots.
Bibby was a solid point guard averaging just under 20 points and 5 assists for most of his time on the Kings, but it was his ability to step up in big games and against the best players that always made me love him. Check out this back and forth with AI in a regular season game. It’s like Bibby stepped up a level to meet AI and even outscore him, which is a tough thing to do. But really, what was great was his playoff clutchness. Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t remember Bibby as well as I do. Some of these videos may give Ryan a bad taste in his mouth. I still remember it all like it was yesterday.
If it wasn’t for Steph Curry, Chris Paul would be my favourite player in the NBA. Steph would have been on this list, but since he is still working on the earlier half of his career, I’ll have plenty of time to gush about him. There is something special about Chris Paul. He isn’t the most athletic point guard, he doesn’t have a height advantage, and he isn’t a lights-out 3-point shooter. What he is is the best point guard in the NBA. His quickness, vision, mid-range game and ability as a leader make him amazing to watch. He controls the game like no one I have ever seen in the NBA. A guy who can score 30 points or dish out 15 assists depending on what his team needs to win.
It all started right away when he took some average NOLA teams and made them elite in the Western conference. His seasons from 2007-09 were two of the best seasons I have ever seen. He averaged 21 ppg and 11.6 apg, and 22.8 ppg and 11 apg, respectively, over the course of two seasons. The David West-Chris Paul pick and roll combo was one of the most deadly in the league and it felt like he was throwing ‘oops to Tyson Chandler at least once a game.
Some injuries and team turnovers led to a couple of disappointing seasons but Paul looks rejuvenated on the Clippers. Doc has him playing at an elite level again and I would be surprised if the Clippers didn’t make some noise these playoffs with Chris Paul leading the way. Just check out some of these highlights on NOLA.
Tracy Mcgrady
This man may have been one of the greatest scorers of his generation. Mcgrady could put the ball in the basket any way he wanted. At 6’8” he was nearly impossible to guard. I don’t remember much about his days on the Raptors, but I do remember him on the Magic, especially that amazing year where he averaged 32ppg, 6.5 rpg, and 5.5 apg. He took a bad Magic team and made them fun to watch for 4 years. Putting all the legacy arguments aside, he truly was a great player. He also is a very underrated passer, averaging about 5 assists per game during his prime.
Although his teams struggled in the playoffs, he himself never did. He averaged 33.8 ppg and 8.3 apg for one series that the Magic lost. What more can one player do? He also gave us the second most amazing comeback by a single player behind Reggie Miller’s incredible play against the Knicks in the playoffs. In my opinion that’s more impressive, but since Reggie did it in the playoffs his means more. T-mac, down 8 with 40 seconds left, decided he was going to go on the most incredible 3 point shooting hot streak that I have ever seem. This alone vaulted T-mac into my top 4.
Third is Parker Ainsworth, Texas golden boy and Rockets fan.
Vince “Vinsanity” Carter
Vince Carter was one of the first jerseys I bought. It was the early 2000s, he was a high-flying, freak athlete. He had the swag (think “it’s ova” in the dunk contest). He had the sweet kicks (who didn’t have/want a pair of those shocks? I mean seriously). He even morphed his game, and became a shooter as he got older.
He still laces them up today, 14 years later. But perhaps what I loved most about Vince was when he CLEARED seven-footer Frederic Weis of France in the 2000 Olympics. USA > France; Carter proved it. And USA = Mt. Rushmore. Ergo, VC is on my Mt. Rushmore of the post-Jordan era. Still find that hard to believe? Check out Vince’s top 100 dunks of all time and you’ll realize the dunk shown at 100 would still be among this year’s best.
LeBron “King” James
I know he’s many kids’ (see Matt Tuckness) favourite (or favourite to hate) now, but LeBron has always been sentimental to me. I can remember being 10 years old and living in an apartment, my mom coming home with the mail and LeBron on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16. The title: “The Chosen One”. He had a shocked look, a glow in the dark looking ball, but man he could play. My mom even said, “Parker they’re saying he’s the next Michael Jordan“, and I read that article cover to cover. People forget this, but back then he got customized Kobe’s (the Adidas Kobe’s) personally shipped to him. I don’t know why, other than the fact that I was a sneaker-obsessed kid, but I thought that was a sign of respect and greatness, at age 16 (now I realize it was probably Adidas’ failed attempt to try to lure him).
I have a LB23 maroon Cleveland jersey hanging in my current apartment, and lost a bet on him in the 2011 NBA Finals and had to have my profile picture as me in a Dirk shirt for 6 months (and I hate Dirk; I’m a Rockets guy). But I’m someone who has been dedicated to James since he was 16 and that article came out, who saw the 35 of 37 against Detroit, saw the triple doubles, wasn’t against The Decision, and is now watching him add to his legacy (think: everything great Jordan did, the Jordan “moments,” all came when Jordan was older than LeBron is right now). He’s gotta make my Mt. Rushmore.
Kevin “KD” Durant
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Texas Longhorn fan; always have been. Growing up in Austin, I can remember when TJ Ford and Rick Barnes began Texas Basketball. But KD changed it. I had season tickets the year he was in Austin, and it sparked a love for KD that hasn’t weathered yet. I remember when he went to Seattle, and they came to OKC. I have his jersey, had a Texas one, and love watching him rain it in.
This season has been a blast. Everyone’s like “where’s this KD coming from?” and I’m like “Check the tapes, watch him at Texas.” This guy is phenomenal, and insane to watch. He’s one of those guys that I think has made the shot before its ever left his hand, every stinkin’ time. He can actually score on anyone. And he adds to his game every off season. He tweaks certain things. But also, he just loves basketball. He’s in Austin frequently in the off season playing with the Texas guys, he did the streetball thing, he had the “Basketball Never Stops” thing during the lockout… He loves basketball. He is amazing at basketball. And it is a basketball Mt. Rushmore. He’s on it.
Allen “The Answer” Iverson
If you grew up watching basketball as a kid in the early 2000s, and don’t have Iverson on your list, you’re lying. AI was a force to watch, a one man show, but more than anything, he morphed basketball culture. He intertwined hip-hop and basketball at a time when both were heading towards the forefront of American culture. You don’t think so? Think about how cool cornrows were from 2000–2005. Du-rags, braids, baggy clothes, throwbacks… Those were all Iverson. The shooting sleeve that has caught on the last few years? People who grew up watching Iverson rock it. He famously wore a Lew Alcindor Bucks throwback while injured on the bench… to a game in Milwaukee.
But enough about off the court. Iverson was tough as nails on it. The best player ever under 6’ tall, he would throw his body into the bigs, weave around the tree limb arms, and never hesitated to go through the defence. Add his lightning quickness, his killer crossover and his raw emotion, and you have an instant fan favourite. He was a “bad boy” similar to how the Pistons were. He was tough, he was good, and he was entertaining because of both. Add that to the fact that, when you saw him standing next to a courtside fan, they were the same height (if the fan wasn’t taller).
Everyone loved Iverson, Iverson was huge to basketball on and off the court; he was a phenomenon. He was just insanely entertaining to watch, even if him being a one man show ultimately meant he never won a finals (though he gave the ’01 Lakers their only playoff loss that year).
And finally, Los Angeles Laker fanatic and Kobe idolizer, Josh Biers
Yao “The Great Wall of Yao” Ming
Without a doubt, Yao Ming was my favourite player growing up. Even if I wasn’t Chinese, I would have loved a 7’6 center who had a beautiful stroke and wonderful professional attitude. Yao could hit anything from inside 19 feet and had an absolutely unguardable fadeaway. Then again, how could anyone hope to contest the tallest player in the NBA fading away? It’s already impossible when the 6’6 Kobe does it. Yao struggled with injury problems and retired early, but he took the NBA to new heights and dazzled fans with his left/right hand hook shots and thundering dunks (example here and here) that defied his kind-hearted nature.
I lived in China when he was first drafted by the Rockets, and there was absolute Yao-fever as everyone worshipped him. I can’t say I didn’t catch it.
Not only was Yao a force to be reckoned with in all aspects of basketball, he was also a tremendous teammate and good Samaritan. Every story you hear about Yao from his former teammates are all of praise. No one has ever uttered a bad word about Yao, and why should they? He was a funny, laughable player with great rapport with his teammates. Check out this video of Yao teaching Dikembe Mutombo and T-Mac how to use chopsticks.
It saddened me when he retired, but I’m thankful for all the hours of entertaining basketball he provided me with.
Jason Kidd
I wonder how many people know that Jason Kidd is second all-time in assists. I wonder how many of those same people also know that Kidd has made the third most three-pointers all-time (after Ray Allen and Reggie Miller). Kidd may be one of the most underrated superstars to ever play in the NBA.
Growing up as a Lakers fan, the New Jersey Nets weren’t exactly my favourite team, but watching Kidd play was a thing of wonder. The way he commanded his team-mates on the court, his court vision, the confident way he carried himself – it was truly exciting. But not as exciting as his passes. While Steve Nash is often regarded as the greatest creative (behind-the-back, through-the-legs) passer, I beg to differ. There are some amazing passes in this highlight compilation dedicated to his time in New Jersey.
Rasheed Wallace
Oh, good ole ‘Sheed. Has there ever been a player who spoke his mind so freely? A player who didn’t give a damn what other players or officials said or thought? However, he certainly wasn’t shy about letting people know what he thought about them.
While Wallace was a talented big man (he was lights out from beyond the arc), I didn’t enjoy watching him because his basketball was aesthetically pleasing. I enjoyed watching him because you knew you were in for a good laugh when he took the court. With his hilarious pre-game dance rituals and ability to get thrown out of a game for simply staring at a ref, I doubt anyone will be able to fill the void left by one of the NBA’s most volatile players.
I remember watching Game 7 of the most recent Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals and while the entire Celtic team struggled to score during a rough start, ‘Sheed was the lone player on either team to execute perfect post moves and generate momentum for Boston. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried ‘Sheed was going to do the Lakers in. Thankfully, the better team prevailed, but I was still sad to hear it was Wallace’s last game.
When he came out of retirement for the New York Knicks, I watched every single game he played in until he injured himself and was unable to continue. Even at an older age and with over 15 seasons under his belt, ‘Sheed still got technicals for the same shenanigans he would pull as a rookie.
Kobe Bryant
I always leave the best for last. I have never enjoyed watching or loved a player more than I do the Black Mamba. I have three Kobe jerseys and only wear Kobes when I play basketball. In my mind, Kobe is the best player to ever play the game. His ability to create his own shot and his signature turnaround fadeaway will never be replicated. Never. His performance against the Toronto Raptors, when he dropped 81 points, will always be seared into my memory as the single greatest basketball performance in the history of the game. Screw Wilt’s 100.
Perhaps the greatest game I ever attended in my life was Lakers vs Heat a few years ago. This was back when the Heat had Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal. The Lakers trailed the entire game and when D-fish sunk three free throws and Wade only made one of two, leaving the Lakers down by two with a few seconds left on the clock, I was preparing myself for an inevitable Kobe buzzer beater. I wasn’t disappointed. Off of one foot, Kobe banked in a straightaway three with Udonis Haslem and Wade all over him. The crowd went crazy, and so did I.
He was the greatest basketball showman and no crowd ever buzzed as much for anyone else as they did for Kobe. Yes, there were times when Kobe could have and perhaps should have passed the ball, but the fans paid to see the Mamba and more often than not, he delivered. While I acknowledge that Kobe may never play the same because of his recurring injuries, I am thankful for the excitement and entertainment he has provided me my entire life and the passion for basketball he has fuelled in me.
Guess the Lakers players!
