What's your NBA Mount Rushmore?

[GreenFaith1819]

I based my four (Russell, Kareem, Michael and LeBron) on their contributions to social issues - as well as their on-court brilliance.

It can be argued somewhat that Michael was not vocal much on social issues during his heyday but his contributions over the last few years have been substantial.









Basketball - like so much of what we do in life - is fleeting. What did you do...whose lives did you effect...what did you stand for - are to ME the important criteria for an NBA Mount Rushmore.

[Somebody]

Russ, Wilt, Magic, Bird.

Sorry, MJ...you never beat anyone for those 6 rings....nobody like the '80s C's or Fakers, not even the Bad Boys at their peak (you caught them on their downside). You have to beat the best to be the best.

Not even close, MJ.

Sorry but this is sooo wrong. MJs impact alone outside of the court puts him there. add the fact that he has set record and was playing against better athletes instead of uncoordinated guys. Then you have the fact that Magic and Bird both have acknowledge MJ as a better player, makes me see this as a questionable nostalgic bias post.

A lot of posts in this thread are, but they all have their own criteria that aren't exactly about how "good" a player is. Don't see any issue with this list, at least I think it's as okay as the others.

[tenn_smoothie]

I have no choice but to carve out a 5th member into the NBA mountainside and I hate doing it due to my hatred of the Lakers and because i believe Michael Jordan to be over-rated. He won during the weakest decade in league history and would have no titles if his Bulls had played in the 80's.

Russell, Bird, Jabbar, Magic, Jordan.

[Surferdad]

I have no choice but to carve out a 5th member into the NBA mountainside and I hate doing it due to my hatred of the Lakers and because i believe Michael Jordan to be over-rated. He won during the weakest decade in league history and would have no titles if his Bulls had played in the 80's.

Russell, Bird, Abdul-Jabbar, Magic, Jordan.

I agree.  Also, FIFY.

[footey]

"Mount Rushmore" moniker may need to be rethought.

[Roy H.]

"Mount Rushmore" moniker may need to be rethought.

I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

Russ, Red, Larry, Hondo

[gouki88]

"Mount Rushmore" moniker may need to be rethought.

I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

Russ, Red, Larry, Hondo

Read that as Rondo and was ready to cheer on a fiery hot take. Nonetheless, can't really argue with that. Pierce and Cowens are both good competitors for that last spot, but I do love Hondo

[Donoghus]

"Mount Rushmore" moniker may need to be rethought.

I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

Russ, Red, Larry, Hondo

Read that as Rondo and was ready to cheer on a fiery hot take. Nonetheless, can't really argue with that. Pierce and Cowens are both good competitors for that last spot, but I do love Hondo

Are we talking national TV Rondo or regional sports network Rondo? 

[Silas]

"Mount Rushmore" moniker may need to be rethought.

I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

Russ, Red, Larry, Hondo

Strongly agree!  Cousy for a fifth...

[Neurotic Guy]

Criteria for the real Mt Rushmore wasn’t the 4 greatest - but 4 who had impact on the country - including at least in part, expansion.

George Washington - Bill Russell, father of modern basketball.
Thomas Jefferson - half-faced Larry Bird/ Magic Johnson, expanded NBA viewership.
Abraham Lincoln - Allen Iverson, changed the face and culture of the NBA.
Teddy Roosevelt - Steph Curry, his innovation has changed the way the game is played.


I do not think these are the NBAs 5 best players.

[Birdman]

Larry Bird of course!! Look at his stats of first 7 seasons..they are better than LeBron first 7 seasons..then he hurt his back digging a ditch and wasn’t the same after that thou he was still great but not top player as he once was

[Roy H.]

Criteria for the real Mt Rushmore wasn’t the 4 greatest - but 4 who had impact on the country - including at least in part, expansion.

George Washington - Bill Russell, father of modern basketball.
Thomas Jefferson - half-faced Larry Bird/ Magic Johnson, expanded NBA viewership.
Abraham Lincoln - Allen Iverson, changed the face and culture of the NBA.
Teddy Roosevelt - Steph Curry, his innovation has changed the way the game is played.


I do not think these are the NBAs 5 best players.

Interesting analogy.  According to Wikipedia, the “four presidents were chosen to represent the nation's birth, growth, development, and preservation, respectively”.

Birth = Russell
Growth = MJ / Dream Team / Stern?
Development = Larry / Magic
Preservation = Lebron? 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

This is another opinion-based question that can never be answered to everyone's satisfaction—is it supposed to be the four best players? what exactly does "best" mean? do off-court contributions matter? etc.—and I have a pro-Celtics bias, but I'll throw my answer in anyway:

Russell
Wilt
Bird
Magic

Two players from each of the two greatest franchises in NBA history, guys who revolutionized the game and laid the foundation for "modern" stars like Jordan and LeBron.

[BE-Celtic]

Criteria for the real Mt Rushmore wasn’t the 4 greatest - but 4 who had impact on the country - including at least in part, expansion.

George Washington - Bill Russell, father of modern basketball.
Thomas Jefferson - half-faced Larry Bird/ Magic Johnson, expanded NBA viewership.
Abraham Lincoln - Allen Iverson, changed the face and culture of the NBA.
Teddy Roosevelt - Steph Curry, his innovation has changed the way the game is played.


I do not think these are the NBAs 5 best players.

Interesting analogy.  According to Wikipedia, the “four presidents were chosen to represent the nation's birth, growth, development, and preservation, respectively”.

Birth = Russell
Growth = MJ / Dream Team / Stern?
Development = Larry / Magic
Preservation = Lebron?

Agreed. You have my vote ! Just need to mix Magic & Bird in 1 face to save a spot : their rivalry is part of the story. Can't tell Bird withtout Johnson, can't tell Johnson without Bird 

[trickybilly]

I go with Russell, Jordan, Magic/Bird (half face each)...and either Wilt or Lebron. I just can't decide right now.

I think LeBron has done enough by now...

Agree with the Bird/Magic half face. That's perfect.