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In every league of every sport, there are certain players who sacrificed all of their living and enjoyments to move themselves to an elite level of the game. Not every player gets his sculpture made, only the best of the best get that honor.
These players are legends and appreciating those legends with their sculptures is a small gratitude to them for what they have accomplished in the world of basketball and contributed to the franchise. Here are the elite 10 NBA players honored with their own sculptures:
#10 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers
Shaquille O'Neal who has played for six teams during his 19-year career which are Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. Shaq was a 4-time NBA Champion, 3 of which came with the Lakers (2000-02) and the other came with Miami Heat in 2006.
He was a 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 15-time NBA All-Star and was named the league MVP once in 2000. He has plenty of achievements to his name and that's why he is a Hall of Famer. Honoring him with his statue is just a small thing in front of his achievements.
O'Neal had the best part of his career with the Lakers and the franchise have honored him with his statue for whatever he contributed to the team. Shaquille O'Neil's statue was revealed at the Staples Center; the statue weighs 1000 pounds and is 9-feet tall.
#9 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Los Angeles Lakers
Another Los Angeles Lakers' great player has been honored with his likeness, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Kareem was a 6-time NBA MVP(the most in NBA history), 6-time NBA Champion, 19-time NBA All-Star and has six NBA titles to his name. Kareem played 20 years in the NBA and in that time span represented the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is the all-time scoring leader with 38,387 points. His trademark skyhook shot will always be remembered for decades. Kareem's statue is around 16-feet tall, weighing 1,600 lbs. It is made of Bronze and is in the Star Plaza at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The statue was unveiled on Friday, November 16, 2012. The statue was made by eminent Sculptors/Artists Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany.
#8 Larry Bird - Boston Celtics
Larry Bird was a 3-time NBA Champion, 3-time NBA MVP, and a 12-time NBA All-Star. Larry is one of the greatest Basketball shooters in the NBA history and had a legendary 13-year career for the Boston Celtics. His great shooting abilities aided his team in winning multiple games.
Larry's statue is constructed of Bronze, is 15 feet tall, and is taller than Magic Johnson's statue. Larry's figure was inaugurated in 2013, at Hulman Center, Indiana. Larry was honored with his statue by the Indiana State University.
#7 Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr., sported for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 years in the league. Magic is a 3-time NBA MVP, 5-time NBA champion and won one of his three Finals MVP awards in his rookie season in 1980 as a rookie. Magic, as the Point-Guard, was one of the finest passers in the league back then and is the only player who averaged 12 assists in the NBA Finals.
Magic Johnson was celebrated with his Bronze Sculpture in 2004 by the Los Angeles Lakers for making the Staples Center, the focus for the toughest basketball action. The statue is 17 feet tall.
#6 Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
Bill Russell played for the Boston Celtics at the Center position in the NBA. He had a 13-year course as an NBA player and holds the record for most number of championships (11). The last two of his 11 titles were as a head coach and player of the team.
His mighty defensive strengths and offensive strategies headed his squad to championships. Boston's Hall Plaza is the place where the Bronze figure of one of the Greatest NBA players i.e. Bill Russell is situated. It was displayed in 2013.
#5 John Stockton - Utah Jazz
John Houston Stockton, from 1984 to 2003, played for the Utah Jazz as their Point Guard. He was one of the strongest passers in the NBA and averaged a career double-double with 13.1 points and 10.5 assists per game. He holds a record of most career assists with 15,806 career assists.
Presenting a statue of John was the finest idea for the Utah Jazz to celebrate John for the invaluable addition he made to the organization. John's figure is of Bronze, standing 8-feet tall at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. John was honored with the statue in 2005.
#4 Karl Malone - Utah Jazz
Karl Anthony Malone labeled "The Mailman", played 18 seasons for the Utah Jazz at the Power Forward position. Malone featured in every playoff in his career. He also played the final season of his career for the Lakers. Malone was a 2-time NBA MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star and possesses many other huge awards.
Malone has his figure alongside John Stockton's sculpture outside the Jazz's arena in Salt Lake City. The statue was disclosed in 2006 in which Malone's signature dunk has been demonstrated.
#3 Wilt Chamberlain - Philadelphia 76ers
Wilt Chamberlain played for 15 years in the NBA in which most of the years were with the Philadelphia 76ers. He had 2 NBA Championships, was a 4-time NBA MVP, and a 13-time NBA All-Star. He has several records which are unbreakable such as season averages of 22.9 rebounds per game, 50.4 points per game and setting the NBA record 100 points in a single game and many more.
There is no alternative of praising a memorable career other than with a noble bronze. Wilt's Sculpture is placed outside the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia. On his statue, it says: "the worth of a man is measured by the size of his heart". Wilt will be commemorated as one of the biggest Basketball athletes to ever walk on the basketball court.
#2 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan is one of the greatest athletes ever. We all realize how extreme he is, how much effort he put in and how significant he traveled in his career. Michael Jordan was a 5-time NBA MVP, a 6-time NBA Champion, and a 14-time NBA All-Star. Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA and made people passionate about his game. His overall basketball skills, signature moves, signature shoes are prominent around the earth. He had basketball experiences and skills like no other.
Michael's effigy is at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois. His effigy is recognized as "The Spirit". It is a bronze figure sculptured by Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. The sculpture was revealed on November 1, 1994, which is a 12-feet tall figure. Michael is the perfect basketball player and will be commemorated as the greatest basketball player to ever touch the ball.
#1 Jerry West - Los Angeles Lakers
Jerry West's Statue
Jerry West, the Logo of the NBA, showed 15 seasons in the NBA and played his whole career as a Laker. He has been an NBA Champion, 14-times NBA All-Star and has many more titles. Jerry always astonished people with his defensive intelligence, his vertical jump and with his work ethic.
Jerry finished his NBA career with 25,192 points, 6,238 assists, and 5,366 rebounds. He is a legend and beside his likeness, we can notice him everywhere with the NBA brand.
Jerry's figure is a Bronze sculpture and is at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. On February 17, 2011, his sculpture was revealed standing 14 feet tall and weighing 1500 pounds which portrays his Dribbling on the court.
