NBA / Aug 27, 2010 / 11:45 am

5 NBA Players That Deserve Their Own Statue

By

mj statue

It has been a good summer for Scottie Pippen. Not long after he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame two times — as an individual player, and as a member of the ’92 Dream Team — the Chicago Bulls announced they will build a statue of Pippen to be displayed at the United Center by the end of this season, where he’ll take his rightful place in immortality (barring a Bart Simpson incident) alongside Michael Jordan.

In ode to Pippen’s recent accomplishment, we’ve decided to give you our top 5 active NBA players deserving of their own statue in the future.

5. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas)
Dirk is the Dallas Mavericks. Even though they would lose the only NBA Finals appearance of his tenure (so far), Dirk has taken the Mavs higher than they’ve ever been as a franchise and has become Dallas’ defining player. He is their all-time leading scorer and rebounder, and the franchise’s only league MVP (2007). Dirk will always be adored by Dallas fans because he has been loyal, even in times when it may have been a smarter move for him to go somewhere else in search of a championship. At 32 years old, he still has a few years left to win a ‘chip as “The Man” in Dallas, but even if he ends his career ringless, you can almost guarantee Dirk will have a statue in his honor outside the Mavericks’ arena someday. The only question: Which hairstyle will they choose?

4. Dwyane Wade (Miami)
Growing up in Chicago, D-Wade idolized Michael Jordan, but has maintained that he doesn’t want to be compared to MJ because there will never be another MJ.

In the 2006 Finals, however, Wade did his best possible Jordan impersonation and brought the Miami Heat its first NBA championship. For that, he will be forever endeared to Heat fans. Wade has been the face of the relatively young franchise — he is Miami’s all-time leader in points, assists and steals — but we’ll have to wait and see whether he gets his spot usurped by new teammate LeBron James. Wade could soon become the second-best player on his team, though he will probably always be the heart and soul and captain of the ship, similar to Derek Jeter with the Yankees.

They’ve already named the county after him, so it’s only right to put a D-Wade statue at American Airlines Arena.

3. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia)
To say Iverson was the heart and soul of Philadelphia would be an understatement. Iverson was the pride of the city during his run with the 76ers. In his prime, he was on top of the world, even without a championship. Iverson was at one point the most beloved player in the League; it got to the point where you couldn’t walk outside without seeing someone in an Iverson jersey, especially in Philly.

During his time with the Sixers he won Rookie of the Year, MVP and four scoring titles, but what really won over the hearts of fans in Philly was his passion and energy. Iverson also revolutionized the game with his swag, starting several NBA trends (cornrows, headbands, arm sleeves, widespread tattoos) and made a huge impact in the hip-hop culture. His impact on and off the court helped shape the NBA and made him a Philadelphia legend along the lines of Dr. J, Mike Schmidt and Bobby Clarke, and there is absolutely no reason Iverson shouldn’t have his own statue at the Wachovia Center.

2. Tim Duncan (San Antonio)
“The Big Fundamental” was the focal point of four Spurs championship teams, collecting three Finals MVP’s, two league MVP’s, 13 All-NBA selections, 13 All-Defensive Team selections, and 12 All-Star nods in his career. He is widely regarded as the best power forward to ever play the game.

Those accomplishments speak for themselves. Duncan has always been a Spur and will most likely finish his career a Spur. It’s rare to see NBA players stay in one place for a long period of time nowadays, so Duncan should definitely be rewarded with his own statue in the AT&T center, and soon.

1. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles)
Kobe’s career is self-explanatory. The fact that he’s being considered better than Jordan by some — even compared to Jordan, for that matter — shows you why he has to be No. 1 on this list.

Kobe is by far the best player of the 21st century so far. His career and accomplishments are among the greatest of all-time. If you don’t already know what Kobe’s done throughout his career you must’ve been living under a rock, so there’s no need to go over it. His 81-point performance may be the greatest NBA performance of all-time by any single player, seeing as how Wilt Chamberlain towered over his opponents when he scored 100 points. Kobe has a collection of five rings, is the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer, and has added an MVP trophy and two Finals MVP’s to his collection of accolades.

And he’s far from finished; he has the Lakers in championship shape and still atop the favorites even with the new star-studded Miami Heat team. The Kobe statue should already be made if you ask me.

Who do you think deserves their own statue?

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted in NBA |

← Older Comments
  • lakers 3peat

    kobe definetly one of the best players to ever play the game, hate him or love him. a statue of him would be nice. maybe he isnt better than jordan, but its not his fault they compare kobe to mj. he works hard and has 5 titles to show for. iverson sucks right now, but in his prime he was a beast, and hepled the sixers win playoff games. he should also have a statue because he meant alot to phily and brought his own swag to the game. gotta respect that guy. duncan is on my statue list.

  • sAberToOtH..

    ei yo dogwaller..:p .. ur just jealous about kobe had his career .. kobe’s a great player..ask ur self hater!..haha,, u know it.. if u cant accept it..just get over it…

  • Manny

    Kobe’s going in to his 14th Season with LA. He’s broken so many Laker records and has 5 rings like Magic and can challenge Kareem for most points scored if he can stay healthy. Shaq left in ’04 and Kobe is a better scorer than Jerry West ever was, he already surpassed so many Laker greats and his career isn’t even over yet, so once he reitires or even when he’s inducted into the HOF he should have a statue outside Staples. AI maybe, he played in Philly for a while and Timmy for sure, he;s been so good for so long and the fans love him. I dont know about D-Wade and Dirk, maybe if Dirk wins a chip.

  • j

    Only jordan deserves a statue

  • http://deleted dagwaller

    ei yo SaBeRtoOth – Am I jealous of Kobe? Only in the sense that it would be awesome to have millions and millions of dollars and be a phenomenal basketball player. I think that 99.99999 percent of the people that visit this site are jealous in the same way, love him or hate him.

    When you get into high school, though, you might learn that it’s possible to respect someone and have an objective opinion of him. Is Kobe a top 50 player of all time? Undoubtedly. Does he deserve a statue? Not in my opinion.

    But, I guess I’ll get over it, per your request. Thanks! Always looking for ways to get over things and…like…sTuFf.

  • Fertsy

    If Kareem, Magic, Shaq don’t have Lakers statues out front then Kobe should NEVER have one… Top 15 player all time but come on he’s been the MAN on his team, let alone in the league, for only HALF of his career.
    Does any1 have a memory longer than 2-3 years?
    Shaq was the main MAN for Lakers 3 rings (& loss).
    Remember Kobe post-Shaq / pre-Gasol that was not a G.O.A.T. display.

  • Timo

    I hate the whole shaq and kobe argument… in order 2 win championships, great players must also play with other great players, its proven. Shaq couldnt win without great players either, whether he was the man on the team or not. he couldnt win ith the magic and then bailed on them 2 have an opportunity to win with a winning franchise (the lakers). and when he went 2 miami, he had wade. he attempted with lebron and now chasing them with the celtics, but now is stuck at four rings… now that kobe has help, he doesnt have 2 b the MAN on his team anymore. he’s been there, and done that, proven that he can carry a team by himself inbetween the time shaq left and pau came. 81 points isnt the only thing he’s done, thats just 1 great example 2 say the least. i could argue with other great teams/players who won with multiple great players, but i wanna stay focused on kobe because there’s alotta kobe haters out there who jus dnt wanna respect the fact dat he ISNT Mike, but jus 2 get u 2 understand, i’ll say he’s the mike of this generation. and im not backing him up because im from l.a. im from chicago, born and raised. and jus for the record, i dnt consider the guys that dnt like kobe, but admits and RESPECT the fact that he’s da best in the game right now,i love that u guys are REAL basketball fans and kno how 2 conversate on an article not only about kobe, but basketball period. jus like i dnt like Rondo, but i do think he’s better than derrick rose RIGHT NOW, and im a die-hard rose fan, but rose, IMO, will b beter soon, but thats another story… but kobe doesnt deserve a statue yet, his career isnt over guys, he”ll prove evrything he needs 2 until its over, and when it is over, even if he doesnt win anymore rings, i most definitely think he deserves a statue. i wont talk about anyone else like A.I., etc., that can b argued, but kobe is a no brainer, lets be honest.

  • Timo

    Damn, i didnt know i wrote that much lol sorry

  • Timo

    and i meant 2 say i dnt consider u guys kobe haters if u respect that hes the best, but jus dnt like him, i didnt even finish that

  • rav

    Only reason Kobe has 5 rings is the ridiculous Pau Gasol trade.

    Otherwise he’d have three rings (which were Shaq’s work mostly). Even with the last two, Pau Gasol was at least equal standing if not better for 2010 (which they only one because of 21 free throws in the 4th quarter of Game 7).

    In addition, is he really the second-best player ever? I could think of many who I’d put there instead of Kobe, e.g. Wilt, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird – MJ is probably the best though.

  • JAY

    @Posterboy
    This is late, but i’ll adress you anyway

    “Im a realist VC is my fav player he isnt greatest, but he has done great in the league, players like dont come with his talent everyday”
    Like I said in an earlier post, being a fan of Vince is one thing…. saying a statue of him is “much needed and well deserved” is ridiculous.

    And just because he influenced other guys, you don’t give him a fuckin statue. Lol. That’s crazy. In that case, Kenny Anderson should get one, Rod Strickland too. and while we’re hadning out statues to players who influenced other guys, let’s give one to Vlade Divac. Not only did he influence that entire league to flop everytime on the block, he truly revolutionized the way the game is called.

    IMO, Vince didn’t change shit. A guy who did is Shawn Kemp. He revolutionized the PF position. Are we giving him a statue too?

    “F U if u feelin different”
    Fuck you too. And take your Vince statue with you. I bet it breaks before you cross the street.

  • Ross

    At all Kobe Arguments:
    Lets be clear, before you argue against Kobe Bryant do your research. Remember it was Shaq who said Kobe was the best player in the game when they were on the same team. Neither could win without the other. Kobe to the last shots, rememeber that. Peroid. Any whatever individual decided to bring of TMac he is not even in the conversation for statue. No truth in the fact that if he played for the lakers he could have got those rings. He had Yao Ming no rings, he barely led Orlando to the playoffs after receiving 96 million remember that? But let me guess he earned every bit. At least KB24 HAS ALWAYS EARNED HIS KEEP. Futhermore you will never see him tag along for veterans minimum to win a chip. AI is not on the same level of Kobe period. Stats and whatever else can back that up. You can dislike him just respect his game. Once again longevity measures success not a few good years and a few scoring titles(AI, TMAC). Stop it. And really who was considering Pau Gasol as a potential Hall of Famer before he got to LA. Pay Attention.

  • http://dimemag.com Austin Burton

    @Ross — You can’t just use Shaq’s word as law. Every team he goes to, he says his new teammate is the best player in the world. He also says his new coach is the best coach of all-time and he won’t play for any other coach.

    Nobody was saying T-Mac deserves a statue (he wasn’t with any one team long enough), I think the point was that when T-Mac and Kobe were in their primes, they were about equal as far as talent and production. Which is absolutely true.

  • Ross

    @Austin Burton:
    The point in saying that was that out of all the star teammates Shaq has had he disliked Kobe the most but still had to recognize and respect his game. Plus Kobe was the FIRST he said that about. And how long was TMAC in his prime…or his defense? If your a basketball purist/throwback…you have to love the last of a dying breed and thats Kobe. Who else works with a hall of fame center to refine his low post skills at his elite level(mind you he is a guard). On this list or any other list he is arguably one of the greatest to ever play. NO ONE ELSE ON THIS LIST ENTERS THE CONVERSATION.-What more can i say!

  • http://deleted dagwaller

    @ Ross

    I’m not debating whether or not Kobe is a top 50 player of all time. I’m saying that he doesn’t deserve a statue.

    TMac was just as good as Kobe was during the early-mid 2000s. TMac had Yao? HAHAHAHA ok I’m a fan of Yao’s, but he was the best center of the year a couple times. Shaq was the best Center over about 15 years.

    As I said before, when Kobe was without Shaq, he went a few years COMBINING for 12 playoff games. Real elite stuff there. Definitely earning his keep…yea…

  • plyka

    Wow, so many Kobe haters, so many, lol…the guy is a living legend pure and simple. You can hate on him all you want, but it’ll get you no where. You want us to discount Kobe’s first 3 rings because he played with Shaq in his prime? Are you stupid? Did Magic win no rings cause he played with Kareem, a potential GOAT candidate? Does Bird get no rings cause he played with 2 other hall of famers? Does West and Oscar not get any since they won with Wilt Chamberlin? This idea is idiotic.

    And the worst of all, to claim that Pau Gasol was the leader of the lakers for their latest dynasty, lol. That just shows how far you haters go. Pau never even won 1 playoff game without Kobe. Pau went to 1 all-star game without Kobe, lol. With Kobe he has 2 rings and 3 NBA finals appearances. With Kobe he goes to the all-star game every year and is 3rd team all-nba.

    And what has Shaq done without Kobe despite playing with some of the best ever in Penny, Wade and Lebron? Without Kobe, Shaq has 1 ring and been to the NBA finals 2 times. Kobe without Shaq has 2 rings and 3 NBA finals appearances.

  • plyka

    Kobe haters…whatcha you gonna do? haters gonna hate as they say…but you know when they try to claim that Pau was the number 1 option on the Lakers instead of Kobe, that they have run out of any legitimate reasons. You know that when we are talking about basketball they bring up something never charged against him (rape). These guys are haters and don’t have lives. All they do is hate on other successful people. They are pathetic.

    Ask yourself, why do you hate on others instead of congratulating them? It’s usually because your life is so horrible that you attempt to bring others down to your impotence. A better tactic than hating on Kobe is changing your own life for the better. Go out, learn how to talk with women. Get yourself some hot lady friends, get yourself some good real friends, enjoy life. Become successful! You can do it!

    Then maybe you’ll stop hating so much.

  • http://deleted dagwaller

    @ plyka -
    A.) Learn another word, no one has “hated on” someone for the last 3 years.
    B.) It’s not “hating”, it’s called having an opinion, please develop that thought and come back again. Seriously, you used the word “hate” or some version of it 11 times in 6 “paragraphs” (I use the term loosely). Awful.

  • Ross

    @dagwaller…First how many years was TMAC elite? Second what conference does Kobe play in, the west right? Check who was on the Lakers when Kobe inherited the team cats like Brian Cooke was getting clock..lol…You stated the early 2000′s(like a year or so he was good tmac) at the end of the decade which is now who has been the best player over the decade(10 year span)?Not Tmac. Post shaq error Kobe in his prime has been to four finals and won three. Measure success the only way it can be measure by what you obtain and how long you obtain it. Period.

  • Ross

    meant to say three finals two chips.

  • ab_40

    Wilt Chamberlain… with 20000 women.

    Yao Ming deserves a statue in David Stern his crib he’s opened up the chinese market and the nba is making a lot of money of of that. If you havn’t won a title you don’t deserve a status so dirk, AI don’t deserve one. Wade has 1. Duncan would probably break his own statue. Dikembe Mutombo deserves a statue for being a great man on and of the court.

  • http://deleted dagwaller

    @ Ross – T Mac has been on 8 all NBA teams and won 2 scoring titles. So the answer to your question, “How many years was T-Mac elite?” is “8″. Kobe has been on 12 such teams. Am I arguing that T-Mac was better than Kobe? Not necessarily. I’m saying that they’re about the same, and that T-Mac could just as easily have won titles with the MDE and a top 10 player in the league like Pau Gasol.

    As you said, post Shaq, Pau Gasol has won two titles. Ohhh, you were talking about Kobe? Ok my bad. Yea my point stands, Kobe has had a great big every time he’s won the chip.

    And if you want to give statues out, maybe we’ll make the standard 6. And anyone that thinks that the Lakers are winning this year is in for a rude awakening. Period.

  • RC

    Sam Cassell deserves a statue in Mars

  • John

    Who the fuck has ever said Kobe is better than Jordan?

  • DNice

    Pat Riley deserves a statue

  • Ross

    @dagwaller:Tmac was all nba “FIRST TEAM” twice so is that the same as Kobe..check how many he has. And he has been on only 7 all nba teams with two of them 3rd team. Wonder who was first team on those ill give you a clue..kb24. To argue that they are about the same is like arguing a mercedes and a camry with the same mileage are about the same car. Not. They are the same age but there abilities and career are no where near the same. Where is Tmac right now at 31 years old? And if we made the standard anything other than zero…where would tracy get one lol.
    To the Gasol nonsense..check his stats they were the same in memphis as LA if not better. Oh and hes good top ten big man good to nba third team good to but is he responsible for the success of kobe, not even close as Kobe is responsible for his toughness and growth as a player. Before you start an argument do your research correctly. Stats between Kobe and Tmac not even relative. Stop it. Tmacs side kick YAO stats are good and if he was still there luis scola stats are good, the difference is he cant lead a team. Period. Lakers three peat-Lord of the Rings=6.

  • crimewave

    i really can’t believe what some of y’all are saying about kobe…

    it’s one thing to argue about his ranking among the greats, but to deny that he is one of the greatest of all time is absolutely outrageous!!!

    i can understand not liking the dude, but y’all have taken hating to the next level

  • http://deleted dagwaller

    Ross, your arguments are sad and tired. I was definitely mistaken – T Mac was only All-NBA 7 times.

    Their careers are more or less THE SAME. Take away Shaq and Pau, and you get Kobe for those three years where he appeared in 12 playoff games, as I have ALREADY SAID. Your reading comprehension is painful. Kobe has ZERO titles without a dominant post presence.

    Seriously, if your argument is “lol dood koby haz moar titles”, I’ve already told you that he didn’t earn them! Shaq was the best player in the League for the first 3 titles – Kobe was like a Pippen-lite in how much of a sidekick he was. All Shaq needed was a scoring slasher type at his side. T Mac easily would’ve fit that bill.

    The last two titles? Are you serious? When has T Mac ever, ever had a top 75 player in the league COMING OFF THE BENCH for him, like Kobe has Lamar Odom? Or a top-flight big man like Pau Gasol? Another elite wing player like Ron Artest? Do you even know who coached T Mac in Orlando? Hint: it wasn’t one of the greatest coaches of all time, like Kobe’s had his entire career. Oh, and how did Kobe do under Rudy T? 0 titles. 0 titles.

    Dude come with something new. They’re the same player, right down to Kobe bitching his way out of Charlotte so he could go to another team. Kobe just happened to pick a better team to bitch his way to.

  • Manny

    Why do I keep hearing this nonsense that Kobe without a dominant post player has ZERO titles ? GAsol without Kobe has no playoff wins. How about that one ? And Shaq without a Penny , Kobe or D-Wade doesn’t even make the Finals. A teram wins a championship and the Lakers has two superstars. SHaq did make opening for Kobe , but Kobe is the one making the openings on ofense for Gasol now. Put that shit to rest please, it makes no fucking sense. Everyone always has a WHAT IF scenario, be realistric.

  • Ross

    @dagwaller:Reading Comprehension? I have a master’s in english(fact). Tmac does not play defense! That is half the game, and one way they are not the same player. To argue that they are the same player is your inability to put forth an argument of veritability. Does Kobe make Gasol better? Is it Kobe’s fault Tmac could not work as hard as he did and stay healthy and develop his game? Lamar Odom as a top 75 player off the bench…really..thats what you put forth? Your obviously a kobe-hater, which is why you have failed to make the simple delineation between him and Mcgrady. Kobe getting his way out of charlotte is a mute point…LA had to trade for him charlotte only drafted him you idiot. Rudy T didn’t coach a full year another disasterous point by you and your sub par reading skills lol. And the next time you quote me…actually quote me dumb a**. How exactly did Kobe not earn his titles? Where do you come up with this jargon. You cannot just take out on player and plug another one in, partly because the triangle offense works better with Kobe who has a back to the basket game. But I bet you never thought of that one. I’m done with you until you utilize what abilities you have to build an argument around reading and then comprehending lol. Period.

  • A.S.L.

    a kobe statue before magic, kareem or shaq. . . ?

← Older Comments
-->