Mitchell And Ness recently put out a graphic of the best players by uniform number in NBA history. I take issue with many choices.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/heres-70-years-of-basketball-history-in-one-graphic/
These selections are kind of junky. I think naming the best player to ever wear a number is far less interesting than naming the players who most own these numbers. In some instances, they yield the same result. In others, they are very different. To truly own a number, I think you have to wear it for at least 3 seasons. In cases where nobody held the number for more than 3 years, I chose the player who excelled the most.
Number Their Choice My Choice
00 Robert Parish Robert Parish
0 Russell Westbrook Gilbert Arenas
Russ will undeniably take over this jersey position within the next 2 seasons, and has played better than Arenas did and for longer, but Gilbert’s nickname was Agent Zero, which buys him a few extra seasons of ownership (and my heart as a Wizards homer).
1 Oscar Robertson Tracy McGrady
Oscar only wore #1 after coming to the Bucks, for whom he played very well, but not his best. Tiny Archibald wore several different numbers, but would be the 3rd choice. T-Mac wore #1 for 14 years and should walk right into the Hall of Fame in a few years.
2 Moses Malone Alex English
Moses wore 8 different numbers during his playing career, so I feel that he can’t own #2. Mitch Richmond could give English a run for his money due to his time wearing #2 on the Kings, but his Twitter handle includes the other number he wore (23), so The Blade holds this one.
3 Allen Iverson Allen Iverson
Look, I admit, DWade is the better player; he’s one of the 5 best shooting guards ever and has 3 rings. However, Iverson was an 11-time All Star, and his early 2000s black Sixers jersey is FAR more iconic than Wade’s Heat jersey.
4 Dolph Schayes Dolph Schayes
Props to Adrian Dantley and Joe Dumars.
5 Kevin Garnett Jason Kidd
KG played for the Celtics for 5 years, but Kidd wore #5 for over a decade, and his Nets jersey is iconic.
6 Bill Russell Bill Russell
Sixers era Dr. J needs a salute here, but Bill Russell is either the 2nd or 3rd greatest player ever.
7 Pete Maravich Kevin Johnson
Nobody thinks #7 when they hear “Pistol Pete,” they rightfully think #44. Tiny and Melo have worn #7 proudly, but KJ owns it.
8 Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant
Legend needing runner-up recognition: Walt Bellamy.
9 Bob Pettit Bob Pettit
10 Walt Frazier Walt Frazier
Others: Jo Jo White; Louie Dampier.
11 Karl Malone Isiah Thomas
Choosing Lakers Malone here is absurdly terrible. There is a plethora of better options for this number- Elvin Hayes, Paul Arizin and Bob McAdoo to name a few. But let’s be real, Zeke is the leader of this club.
12 John Stockton John Stockton
Others: George Yardley; Dwight Howard.
13 Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain
Shouts to Steve Nash.
14 Oscar Robertson ?
This is a cop out, but I just can’t choose between Oscar and Houdini. Bob Cousy wore #14 for 13 years, leading the league in assists for 8 of those consecutively, while averaging 19-8-5 and guiding his teams to 6 titles. Oscar wore the number for 10 years, leading the league in assists in 7 and scoring in one, while averaging a superhuman 29-10-9 stat line. I feel influenced to give the nod to Cooz because he wore the number longer and his teams were far more successful, but how do you argue with those Big O numbers?
15 Hal Greer Hal Greer
This number has a long list of qualified entrants: Carmelo Anthony, Dirk McGuire, Earl Monroe, Tommy Heinsohn, Vince Carter. Greer, a somewhat forgotten Hall of Famer, wore #15 for his whole (auspiciously 15 year-long) career, making 10 straight All-Star appearances in the process.
16 Bob Lanier Bob Lanier
Jerry Lucas wore #16 for the first 6 seasons of his career, making the All-Star team every year while averaging a gaudy 20 and 19. Pau Gasol has worn #16 for the entirety of his 14 year career, making 5 All-Star rosters, while averaging 18-9 and winning 2 titles. Bob Lanier, a forgotten superstar of the 70s, averaged a career 20-10 double-double with 8 All-Star seasons.
17 John Havlicek John Havlicek
Chris Mullin deserves recognition, but this number belongs to Hondo.
18 Dave Cowens Dave Cowens
Runner-up: Bailey Howell.
19 Willis Reed Willis Reed
The Captain beats outs 6 time All-Star Vern Mikkelson.
20 Gary Payton Gary Payton
21 Tim Duncan Tim Duncan
Long list of other legends: Kevin Garnett; Dominique Wilkins; Bill Sharman; Dave Bing.
22 Elgin Baylor Elgin Baylor
Tough draw for Clyde the Glide Drexler, who would own most other numbers, as well as Dave DeBusschere.
23 Michael Jordan Michael Jordan
Lebron will NEVER own 23.
24 Rick Barry Rick Barry
Others: 2nd half Kobe; Sam Jones.
25 Vince Carter Chet Walker
VC is much better known for wearing #15. Chet Walker had 7 All-Star seasons and won a ring as the starting SF for the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers, considered by some to be the greatest team in NBA history. Legends Gus Johnson and Gail Goodrich deserve recognition as well.
26 Unknown Kyle Korver
I honestly can’t decipher whose jersey that is supposed to be, but it should be Korver’s. While not an NBA legend by any stretch, he is easily the most notable player who has worn it for the appropriate length of time.
27 Jack Twyman Jack Twyman
Runner-up: Joe Caldwell.
28 Sam Cassell Andrew Lang
I love Sam Cassell. Baltimore ride or die. But Andrew Lang wore this number for the length of his (admittedly mediocre) career.
29 Marcus Camby Paul Silas
Marcus Camby? Are we talking about college??
30 Bernard King Bernard King
George McGinnis is a very strong runner-up, and half of Sheed’s career should be mentioned, but Bernard was a freak.
31 Reggie Miller Reggie Miller
Runner-up: Matrix.
32 Magic Johnson Magic Johnson
Oh boy. *cracks knuckles in preparation to type out the list of runner-ups*: Billy Cunningham, Shaq, Karl Malone, Jerry Lucas, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton. This team would kill everybody.
33 Kareem Kareem
BIRD PEOPLE HOLD YOUR TONGUE. Kareem has 6 rings, 3 college titles, 6 MVPs, 3 college player of the year awards, 19 All-Star selections, the NBA scoring record and the only signature move that matters. Others: Bird, Ewing, Mourning, Pippen and Thompson.
34 Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Olajuwon
Notable runners-up: Shaq, Ray Allen, Charles Barkley, Paul Pierce, Mel Daniels.
35 Kevin Durant Kevin Durant
36 Rasheed Wallace Rasheed Wallace
Carolina, priceless gem, receive all praises thine.
37 Ron Artest Ron Artest
Criteria not met.
38 Kwame Brown Vitor Khryapa
Kwame Brown must never be mentioned again in my Wizards-loving presence.
39 Greg Ostertag Zeljko Rebraca
40 Shawn Kemp Shawn Kemp
Runner-up: Bill Laimbeer.
41 Dirk Nowitzki Dirk Nowitzki
I feel like a traitor to my state for not choosing Wes Unseld, who is criminally underappreciated, but Dirk wins.
42 Nate Thurmond James Worthy
Nate Thurmond is an undeniable legend. Worthy and Thurmond tie for AS selections with 7, and Thurmond’s numbers are gaudy (15-15), but Big Game James has 3 titles plus a college championship, and his #42 Lakers jersey is far more iconic. Connie Hawkins also needs to be mentioned.
43 Jack Sikma Jack Sikma
Runner-up: Brad Daugherty.
44 Jerry West Jerry West
He’s the Logo for a reason. The Iceman George Gervin, like the Glide at #22, is getting shafted here. Pistol Pete and Dan Issel are also in the conversation.
45 Michael Jordan Rudy Tomjanovich
The only time Rudy Tomjanovich (17-8 with 5 AS) will ever beat Michael Jordan.
46 Bo Outlaw Dennis Bell
47 Jerry Lucas Andrei Kirilenko
Lucas only wore the number for 1 year. Shout out to the early 2000s “Will Kirilenko be a star?” debate.
48 Nazr Mohammed Nazr Mohammed
49 Shandon Anderson Shandon Anderson
50 David Robinson David Robinson
Runner-ups: Ralph Sampson, Zach Randolph.
51 Meta World Peace Reggie King
52 Jamaal Wilkes Jamaal Wilkes
Runner-up: Buck Williams (go Terps).
53 Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore
54 Horace Grant Horace Grant
55 Dikembe Mutombo Dikembe Mutombo
Runner-up: Kiki Vandeweghe.
56 Francisco Elson Francisco Elson
57 Hilton Armstrong Hilton Armstrong
Criteria not met.
60 ? Walt Kirk
61 ? Bevo Nordmann
62 Scot Pollard Scot Pollard
65 George Ratkovicz George Ratkovicz
66 Scot Pollard Price Brookfield
67 ? Moe Becker
Criteria not met.
68 ? Milt Schoon
Criteria not met.
70 Dennis Rodman Chuck Share
Criteria not met.
71 Willie Naulls Willie Naulls
Criteria not met.
72 Jason Kapono Jason Kapono
Criteria not met.
73 Dennis Rodman Dennis Rodman
Criteria not met.
76 Shawn Bradley Shawn Bradley
77 Vlad Radmanovich Gheorghe Muresan
83 Craig Smith Craig Smith
Criteria not met.
84 Chris Webber Chris Webber
Criteria not met.
85 Baron Davis Baron Davis
Criteria not met.
86 Chris Johnson Semih Erden
Criteria not met.
88 Nic Batum Nic Batum
89 ? Clyde Lovellette
90 Drew Gooden Drew Gooden
91 Dennis Rodman Dennis Rodman
92 DeShawn Stevenson DeShawn Stevenson
93 Ron Artest Ron Artest
94 Evan Fournier Evan Fournier
Criteria not met.
96 Ron Artest Ron Artest
Criteria not met.
98 Jason Collins Jason Collins
Criteria not met.
99 George Mikan George Mikan
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