Lights Out Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Boston: Larry BirdNew York: Patrick EwingPhiladelphia: Allen IversonNew Jersey: Drazen PetrovicToronto: Vince CarterChicago: Michael JordanIndiana: Reggie MillerMilwaukee: Oscar RobertsonDetroit: Isiah ThomasCleveland: LeBron JamesMiami: Alonzo MourningOrlando: Shaquille O'NealAtlanta: Dominique WilkinsCharlotte Bobcats: Emeka OkaforWashington: Manute BolSeattle/Oklahoma City: Gary Payton (or Shawn Kemp.)Denver: Alex English (or Dikembe Mutombo.)Portland: Bill WaltonUtah: John Stockton and Karl MaloneMinnesota: Kevin GarnettLakers: Magic JohnsonPhoenix: Steve NashGolden State: Run-T.M.C.Clippers: Blake Griffin (or Sam Cassell.)Sacramento: Mitch Richmond (or Peja Stojakovic.)San Antonio: David Robinson and Tim DuncanDallas: Dirk NowitzkiCharlotte/New Orleans Hornets: Larry Johnson (or Muggsy Bogues.)Memphis: Shane Battier (or Pau Gasol.)Houston: Hakeem Olajuwon POTD: 2/4/12 3/4/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash61 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Dwight Howard is more the face of the Magic than Shaq. On September 20, 2012 at 0:50 AM, 'CS85 said: It's like watching the hellish undead creakily shuffling their way out of the flames of a liposuction clinic dumpster fire. On February 19, 2012 at 9:30 AM, 'pianoknight said: Story B: Red Wings go undefeated and score 100 goals in every game. They also beat a team comprised of Godzilla, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, 2 Power Rangers and Betty White. Oh, and they played in the middle of Iraq on a military base. In the sand. With no ice. Santa gave them special sand-skates that allowed them to play in shorts and t-shirts in 115 degree weather. Jesus, Zeus and Buddha watched from the sidelines and ate cotton candy. POTD 5/24/12, POTD 2/26/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I think you mostly got them right. I'd say Lew Alcindor for the Bucks (I think you meant Oscar Robertson), Wes Unseld for the Bullets, Wilt Chamberlain for the Warriors, Vlade Divac or Chris Webber for the Kings, and Jason Kidd for the Nets. (Funny-sad how three of those guys double as notable Lakers.) Basketball's faces of franchises are a lot harder to dispute than the other three leagues', because it's just the nature of the sport and all. ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shumway Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I think you're jumping the gun on Blake Griffin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lights Out Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 I can't think of any other choices besides maybe Sam Cassell. Danny Manning and Bob McAdoo were good but not the face of the team, Bill Walton hardly played, Elton Brand is loathed by the fanbase now, and Baron Davis basically sulked his way through his entire time with the Clippers. POTD: 2/4/12 3/4/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loogodude90 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Boston: Larry BirdNew York: Patrick EwingPhiladelphia: Wilt ChamberlainNew Jersey: Jason KiddToronto: Vince CarterChicago: Michael JordanIndiana: Reggie MillerMilwaukee: Oscar RobertsonDetroit: Isiah ThomasCleveland: LeBron JamesMiami: Dwyane WadeOrlando: Shaquille O'NealAtlanta: Dominique WilliamsCharlotte Bobcats: Emeka OkaforWashington: Wes UnseldSeattle/Oklahoma City: Shawn KempDenver: Carmelo AnthonyPortland: Bill WaltonUtah: Karl MaloneMinnesota: Kevin GarnettLakers: Magic JohnsonPhoenix: Dan MajerleGolden State: Chris MullinClippers: Blake GriffinSacramento: Chris WebberSan Antonio: Tim DuncanDallas: Dirk NowitzkiCharlotte/New Orleans Hornets: Larry JohnsonMemphis: Zach RandolphHouston: Hakeem Olajuwon WIZARDS ORIOLES CAPITALS RAVENS UNITED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loogodude90 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I think you're jumping the gun on Blake Griffin.I thought the same thing, but I couldn't come up with anyone better. Can you? WIZARDS ORIOLES CAPITALS RAVENS UNITED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy B Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Looks pretty good. All of my changes were already mentioned by admiral (Kidd, Unseld, and Webber.) The Grizzlies isn't exactly enticing either. I'd put down Bryant Reeves for them. Joking aside, maybe Shareef Abdur-Rahim? That's really a tough one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loogodude90 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Dwight Howard is more the face of the Magic than Shaq.I don't think so. Shaq (along with Penny) really put ORL on the NBA map, very early in their existence. Also, he lead them to 2 NBA Finals (whereas Dwight only lead them to 1, and I don't really see him leading them to another one anytime soon).EDIT: My bad. WIZARDS ORIOLES CAPITALS RAVENS UNITED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Larry Bird v. Bill Russell is a tough call, but the unflagging whiteness of Boston and the Celtics puts Bird on top. Bill Russell may be a better basketball player and thus a better Celtic than Larry Bird, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Bird's success as a white man (and by extension, his '80s teams) in a black man's sport is what defines pro basketball in New England. EDIT: this goes for Steve Nash to a lesser extent ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winghaz Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Oscar Robertson is the face of the entire franchise now known as the Kings, that being with the Cincinnati Royals.You have to strongly consider Jerry West for the Lakers. He is, after all, The Logo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knnhrvy16 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Hawks - Dominique WilkinsCeltics - Larry BirdBobcats - Still a young team, but for me it's Emeka Okafor or Raymond Felton.Bulls - Michael JordanCavaliers - LeBron JamesMavericks - Dirk NowitzkiNuggets - Alex EnglishPistons - Isiah ThomasWarriors - Rick BarryRockets - Hakeem OlajuwonPacers - Reggie MillerClippers - Loy VaughtLakers - Magic JohnsonGrizzlies - Shane BattierHeat - Alonzo Mourning/Dwayne WadeBucks - Oscar Robertson/Kareem Abdul-JabbarTimberwolves - Kevin GarnettNets - Jason Kidd/Drazen PetrovicHornets - Larry Johnson/Alonzo Mourning/Chris PaulKnicks - Willis ReedThunder/Sonics - as OKC: Kevin Durant, as SEA: Gary PaytonMagic - Shaquille O' Neal/Dwight Howard76ers - Wilt ChamberlainSuns - Charles Barkley/Steve NashBlazers - Bill WaltonKings - Chris WebberSpurs - Tim Duncan/David RobinsonRaptors - Vince CarterJazz - John Stockton and Karl MaloneBullets/Wizards - Wes UnseldAgain, like my other sports lists, this was put together by writing the first name(s) I thought of when thinking of a team. The opinions I express are mine, and mine only. If I am to express them, it is not to say you or anyone else is wrong, and certainly not to say that I am right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shumway Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I think you're jumping the gun on Blake Griffin.I thought the same thing, but I couldn't come up with anyone better. Can you?My first thoughts are Danny Manning or Ron Harper, but that may have something to do with the amount of NBA Jam I've played in my lifetime.Also, I love your pick for Phoenix. Thunder Dan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbreadmann Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Larry Bird v. Bill Russell is a tough call, but the unflagging whiteness of Boston and the Celtics puts Bird on top. Bill Russell may be a better basketball player and thus a better Celtic than Larry Bird, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Bird's success as a white man (and by extension, his '80s teams) in a black man's sport is what defines pro basketball in New England. EDIT: this goes for Steve Nash to a lesser extentI don't really know what to say to that one. We've all heard the accusations that Boston is a whitey racist town, but Russell has Ted Williams status up here when it comes to basketball (which is admittedly not as ingrained into our blood as baseball is). He is the mythical legend from long ago. Most people actually saw Bird play so that might give him more current relevance, but.... okay, honestly, my mind is shooting off into a thousand directions. Is Russ more of a legend if he is white? I don't think that I can say no. But those teams were so integrated, and his accomplishments were unquestionably superior to Bird's. It's just that no one saw him play. Then again, everyone knows Cousy...One thing I can say for sure is that you are wayyyy oversimplifying things. I think if we are talking in this region, the "face of the Celtics" might actually be a pretty even split between Pierce, Bird, and Russell. No one defaults to Bird because he is white, and no one thinks Celtic dominance started (or was at its peak) in the 80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy! Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Boston: Larry Bird New York: Patrick Ewing (followed closely by Willis Reed)Philadelphia: Julius ErvingNew Jersey: Drazen PetrovicToronto: Vince CarterChicago: Michael JordanIndiana: Reggie MillerMilwaukee: Oscar RobertsonDetroit: Isiah ThomasCleveland: Mark Price (although World B. Free is a close second)Miami: Alonzo MourningOrlando: Shaquille O'NealAtlanta: Dominique WilkinsCharlotte Bobcats: NAWashington: Wes Unseld Seattle: Gary PaytonDenver: Alex English Portland: Bill WaltonUtah: John Stockton Minnesota: Kevin GarnettLakers: Kareem Abdul-JabbarPhoenix: Larry NanceGolden State: Rick BarryClippers: Danny ManningSacramento/Kansas City: Tiny ArchibaldSan Antonio: George GervinDallas: Rolando BlackmanCharlotte/New Orleans Hornets: Larry Johnson/Muggsy BoguesMemphis/Vancouver: Bryant ReevesHouston: Hakeem Olajuwon "I secretly hope people like that hydroplane into a wall." - Dennis "Big Sexy" Ittner POTD - 7/3/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 No one's going with Clyde for the Knicks? Even I let that slip. ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loogodude90 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Larry Bird v. Bill Russell is a tough call, but the unflagging whiteness of Boston and the Celtics puts Bird on top. Bill Russell may be a better basketball player and thus a better Celtic than Larry Bird, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Bird's success as a white man (and by extension, his '80s teams) in a black man's sport is what defines pro basketball in New England. EDIT: this goes for Steve Nash to a lesser extentI don't really know what to say to that one. We've all heard the accusations that Boston is a whitey racist town, but Russell has Ted Williams status up here when it comes to basketball (which is admittedly not as ingrained into our blood as baseball is). He is the mythical legend from long ago. Most people actually saw Bird play so that might give him more current relevance, but.... okay, honestly, my mind is shooting off into a thousand directions. Is Russ more of a legend if he is white? I don't think that I can say no. But those teams were so integrated, and his accomplishments were unquestionably superior to Bird's. It's just that no one saw him play. Then again, everyone knows Cousy...One thing I can say for sure is that you are wayyyy oversimplifying things. I think if we are talking in this region, the "face of the Celtics" might actually be a pretty even split between Pierce, Bird, and Russell. No one defaults to Bird because he is white, and no one thinks Celtic dominance started (or was at its peak) in the 80s.I agree with admiral on this, though. I don't think he was saying that Boston is a racist city, he was just saying that Bird being a white athlete in a sport dominated by blacks made him easier to embrace by a largely white fan base (and area).Part of why I picked Bird because he was considered a big "foe" of Michael Jordan, which automatically makes him well-known. You are right about Celtic dominance not starting in the 80's, but that's when NBA really got big IMO, which is why my mind goes straight to Bird when I think of the Celtics. WIZARDS ORIOLES CAPITALS RAVENS UNITED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbreadmann Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Boston: Bill RussellNew York: Patrick EwingPhiladelphia: Julius ErvingNew Jersey: Jason KiddToronto: Vince CarterChicago: MJIndiana: Reggie MillerMilwaukee: Michael Redd (sue me)Detroit: Joe Dumars (b/c of his playing/executive-ing duties. Otherwise Laimbeer.)Cleveland: LeBron JamesMiami: Dwyane WadeOrlando: Dwight HowardAtlanta: DominiqueCharlotte Bobcats: Gerald WallaceWashington: Gilbert ArenasSeattle/Oklahoma City: Gary PaytonDenver: Carmelo AnthonyPortland: Clyde DrexlerUtah: Karl Malone/John Stockton (hand in hand)Minnesota: Kevin GarnettLakers: Kareem Abdul-JabbarPhoenix: Steve NashGolden State: No oneClippers: Elton BrandSacramento: Chris WebberSan Antonio: David RobinsonDallas: Dirk NowitzkiCharlotte/New Orleans Hornets: Chris PaulMemphis: Big Country ReevesHouston: Hakeem Olajuwon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbreadmann Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Larry Bird v. Bill Russell is a tough call, but the unflagging whiteness of Boston and the Celtics puts Bird on top. Bill Russell may be a better basketball player and thus a better Celtic than Larry Bird, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Bird's success as a white man (and by extension, his '80s teams) in a black man's sport is what defines pro basketball in New England. EDIT: this goes for Steve Nash to a lesser extentI don't really know what to say to that one. We've all heard the accusations that Boston is a whitey racist town, but Russell has Ted Williams status up here when it comes to basketball (which is admittedly not as ingrained into our blood as baseball is). He is the mythical legend from long ago. Most people actually saw Bird play so that might give him more current relevance, but.... okay, honestly, my mind is shooting off into a thousand directions. Is Russ more of a legend if he is white? I don't think that I can say no. But those teams were so integrated, and his accomplishments were unquestionably superior to Bird's. It's just that no one saw him play. Then again, everyone knows Cousy...One thing I can say for sure is that you are wayyyy oversimplifying things. I think if we are talking in this region, the "face of the Celtics" might actually be a pretty even split between Pierce, Bird, and Russell. No one defaults to Bird because he is white, and no one thinks Celtic dominance started (or was at its peak) in the 80s.I agree with admiral on this, though. I don't think he was saying that Boston is a racist city, he was just saying that Bird being a white athlete in a sport dominated by blacks made him easier to embrace by a largely white fan base (and area).Part of why I picked Bird because he was considered a big "foe" of Michael Jordan, which automatically makes him well-known. You are right about Celtic dominance not starting in the 80's, but that's when NBA really got big IMO, which is why my mind goes straight to Bird when I think of the Celtics.OK, after re-reading I get what you're saying. "Whiteness" is distinctly different from "racism," but forgive me for connecting the two since it's not an uncommon opinion. I'm trying to imagine what life would be like if Russell were white and Bird were black. I honestly don't think Bird's past nor current status would be altered (much because of the '80s rise of the NBA and how that took precedent), but I do think Russell's legend would have been even larger had he been white. I still disagree that it "defines" pro basketball though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Russell's legend is as large as it is precisely because he was a black man fearlessly excelling in a city that didn't exactly embrace him. I wouldn't say Boston is a racist city today, but it sure as hell was in Russell's time. Bird being white certainly helped him as the NBA came of age in the 1980s, with his Celtics representing white basketball against the Lakers' black basketball. I mean, that's how it was framed. There's no way around it. ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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