If you saw the MLB All-Star game Tuesday night, you know that prior to the start of the game, the MLB listed the franchise four for each team. In honor of that, here is the franchise four for the NBA teams in no particular order.
Atlanta Hawks
Dominique Wilkins, Dikembe Mutombo, Bob Pettit, Lenny Wilkens
The Hawks don’t have the richest history of all the teams on this list, but they field a pretty good top four with four HOFers.
Boston Celtics
Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek
The players on this list combine to have over 20 championships and decades of dominance, and yet the Celtics still have three to four other players that would make the top four for other teams. It’s a crime that Robert Parish, Tiny Archibald, and Paul Pierce can’t be on this list.
Brooklyn Nets
Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Julius Erving, Buck Williams
Some people might forget that Julius Erving played for the Nets, but here he is, along with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. Buck Williams was also the franchise’s leading scorer.
Charlotte Hornets
Al Jefferson, Kemba Walker, Gerald Wallce, Emeka Okafor
Quite possibly the weakest team on the list. Both Emeka Okafor and Gerald Wallace were mere role players on other rosters. (NOTE: franchise was formed as Charlotte Bobcats in 2004.)
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Dennis Rodman
It was tough to leave Joakim Noah off the list, but Dennis Rodman was a big part of the championships in the Windy City. The other three players are locks. That MJ guy was pretty good.
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, Mark Price
Outside of LeBron James, this team is not one with a rich history of dynamic players.
Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Rolando Blackman
Dirk is clearly best player in Mavs’ history. Jason Terry was a very good player, but Steve Nash and Jason Kidd get the nod. Rolando Blackman was their all-time scorer and is one of the two retired numbers by the Mavericks.
Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony, Dan Issel, David Thompson, Alex English
Denver is not a notorious basketball city. Carmelo left and Allen Iverson didn’t stick around for long, but the other players on this list had good years of production for the Nuggets.
Detroit Pistons
Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Joe Dumars, Chauncey Billups
The Bad Boys were dominant for several years in the latter part of the 20th century before MJ took over. Chauncey Billups and company recreated that and brought the Larry O’Brien trophy back to the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin
Chef Curry makes this list after winning MVP and a Championship this past season. Wilt makes the list, in addition to Hardaway and Chris Mullin to round out a solid top four.
Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Clyde Drexler, Yao Ming
Hakeem Olajuwon is the best player in Rockets history. If Harden can win an MVP or two and a championship, he can move up the list quickly.
Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller, George McGinnis, Paul George, Mark Jackson
Reggie Miller tops this list for the Hoosier state. Paul George also makes the cut along with George McGinnis and Mark Jackson.
Los Angeles Clippers
Bob McAdoo, Elton Brand, Randy Smith, Blake Griffin
Some people may be surprised to see Blake Griffin on the top four for the Clippers, but let’s not forget how miserably bad this team was for many years until he arrived. It’s hard to field a deep list when you’ve never won a championship.
Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal
This could be the best top four, along with the Celtics of course. These four combined for numerous championships, multiple dynasties, and cemented a lasting legacy as the better Los Angeles team. It was hard keeping Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and James Worthy off the list.
Memphis Grizzlies
Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley
The Gasol brothers are the best Grizzlies of all-time. Randolph and Conley have been the main contributors, along with Marc Gasol, in the most dominant stretch of basketball played by the Grizzlies. They are still a very young franchise.
Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, LeBron James, Chris Bosh
The Heat have won championships with each of these players, and Bosh and Wade continue to make Miami a basketball destination with the help of Pat Riley.
Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ray Allen, Oscar Robertson, Sidney Moncrief
Not the strongest of top franchises in NBA History, but the Bucks certainly have had some talented players, none greater than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oscar Robertson also makes the list here for the Bucks as one of the best players to ever play in a Bucks uniform. It was tough to leave off Mr. Bucks Basketball Jon McGlocklin.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak, Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins
Okay, just let me put Andrew Wiggins on here. This guy will likely make more playoff appearances than Al Jefferson and Kevin Love combined. I also absolutely love having The Big Ticket back in Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans
Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Dell Curry, Larry Johnson
The Pelicans are another team with a brief history of success. Anthony Davis hopes to turn that around. He better, considering he just got a $30 million per year contract. (NOTE: franchise considered as Charlotte Hornets that expanded in 1988.)
New York Knicks
Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Walt Frazier
Patrick Ewing is the best Knick of all-time. The other three are solid players that helped contribute to good basketball in New York. Yes that’s right, there was once good basketball played in New York. I think Kristaps Porzingis will make this list someday…
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shawn Kemp, Kevin Durant, Gary Payton, Russell Westbrook
Remember that the Thunder were in Seattle before, so Payton and Kemp make the list. Westbrook and Durant have been the core for this team in Oklahoma City.
Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady
The Magic have four great players on their list. Ultimately, the departures of Howard and T-Mac have stunted the long term growth of the franchise.
Philadelphia 76ers
Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone
Allen Iverson is one of the greatest scorers of all-time. Julius Erving also played Hall of Fame basketball in Philadelphia, as did Chamberlain and Malone.
Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Alvan Adams
The Suns have two pretty great players in Steve Nash and Charles Barkley. Johnson has separated himself from other Suns, and Adams is by far the leader in games played and scoring.
Portland Trail Blazers
Clyde Drexler, LaMarcus Aldridge, Terry Porter, Rasheed Wallace
Clyde Drexler and LaMarcus Aldridge are the two best Blazers of all-time. Porter and ‘Sheed make the list as well.
Sacramento Kings
Oscar Robertson, Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Mitch Richmond
I love Peja Stojakovic and am happy to put him on the list. Oscar Robertson and Chris Webber were phenomenal for the Kings. Richmond was a great player for the Kings too.
San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, George Gervin
It was hard to keep Manu Ginóbili off this list, but The Ice Man was such a great player. The other three were dominant players on championship winning teams. Duncan could be the greatest power forward of all-time.
Toronto Raptors
Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, Tracy McGrady, Kyle Lowry
The Raptors are not a team with a rich history; even Kyle Lowry and Tracy McGrady make the list having played only three seasons in Toronto.
Utah Jazz
John Stockton, Karl Malone, Pete Maravich, Adrian Dantley
Stockton and Malone were the two best players to ever play in Salt Lake City. Dantley and Maravich both also make the cut for Utah.
Washington Wizards
John Wall, Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Gilbert Arenas
Washington D.C. has been a great home for basketball, but not a ton of great teams of players. John Wall already makes the list, and Bradley Beal could jump up the list in no time.