The NBA's all-time Mt. Rushmore has been a topic of much debate over the past few weeks. Stories have been popping up almost daily of a former or current NBA great giving his opinion on who should be placed on the theoretical hunk of rock.
Before giving my version of NBA's Mt. Rushmore, lets look at what the criteria should be to make the cut. There are two main factors, a) Basketball skill and on court achievements, and b) Lasting impact on basketball as a whole. Obviously there can be a number of subcategories for each, but those are the two crucial elements for deciding.
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln all fit the description in their respective terms. Those being a) presidential achievements, and b) impact on the country. Each of the presidents had a great on-the-job achievement, which had a substantial impact on the country as a whole. Washington helped create a national government and was Commander and Chief in the Revolutionary War, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, Roosevelt improved US foreign affairs, and Lincoln won the Civil War and put an end to slavery in America among other things for each. Every member of the original Mt. Rushmore had glory during their time, and their greatness is still widely appreciated years later.
These are the things we need to look for in regards to naming an NBA Mt. Rushmore. Lebron James sparked the Mt. Rushmore conversation when he announced his version of it during an interview at All-Star Weekend. James listed Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson.
Lets use this as a starting point. Michael Jordan is on everyone's Mt. Rushmore, and is the only definite member from James' list. Jordan's on court achievements of six NBA Championships and five MVPs make him a lock. The impact he has had on basketball is also greater than any other player's in history. Do I really need to argue a case for Jordan? So we have our first member of four. (1) MICHAEL JORDAN.
The other three spots are all up for debate. To make things easier, I narrowed it down to eight players, who I feel are in the discussion for one of the three remaining spots. Again, factoring in on court greatness, and lasting impact on basketball.
The eight are: Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant, and Oscar Robertson. *Not considering Lebron James because he has a substantial part of his career ahead of him.
My Mt. Rushmore is to be a well balanced, and diplomatic one. A player from each decade would be ideal, but will not restrict myself to that as a rule. There also needs to be representation from both the Celtics and the Lakers, as they are the NBA's two truly great organizations. Think of it in terms of an NCAA tournament selection, the Celtics and Lakers get automatic bids. Jordan already has one of the two at-larges.
The player who I feel is the most deserving of the Laker's automatic bid is (2) WILT CHAMBERLAIN. I know Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and Magic was most likely the games greatest sportsman. But Wilt was just an absolute freak on the court. The man averaged 50 points and 27 rebounds a game in 1962. He also score 60 points in a game 32 times! No other player has scored 60 more than 5 times (Jordan and Bryant have both done it 5 times). Winning four MVPa and two Championships legitimizes his on court achievements requirement. Impact wise, Wilt is deserving too, he has his no. 13 jersey retired by three different teams (Lakers, Bucks, and 76ers). Wilt was a phenom coming out of Kansas as well, being highly talked about throughout his college career. Lets not forget Wilt's other NBA record, which would be reason enough to earn him a sport on Rushmore.
Now for who the Celtic who is the most deserving of having his face chiseled into a South Dakota cliff. (3) BILL RUSSELL with his 11 championships and 5 MVPs represents Boston. Eleven and five meet, if not exceed the qualifications to make the mountain. He was also a defensive monster,and anchor to potentially the greatest dynasty in American sports history, winning eight championsips with the Celts from 1959-1966. Impact wise, he is revered and respected by everyone who ever speaks about him publicly. Russell averaged 20+ rebounds in 10 of his 13 NBA seasons. Impact wise, he is still an influential part of the Celtic's franchise, mentoring Kevin Garnett at times, while Garnett played for Boston. He was also the first name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pointed out as missing on Lebron James' list. Russell's impact is obvious, as he still has the respect of current and former NBA greats alike.
The fourth and final spot is a tossup amongst who I feel are the three most legendary remaining players of the eight I listed. Those being Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. There really is no wrong choice here, but I'll make the case for mine.
The fourth and final spot on my Mt. Rushmore of basketball is (4) LARRY BIRD. It is hard to make a case for any of these three against the other. Each were college superstars, each one multiple MVPs and championships, and each have had substantial impacts on the game of basketball. What hurts Jabbar for making my list, is that I already have two centers on it. And like I said, I want a well-balanced mountain. Bird gets the nod over Johnson, well mostly because I like Bird more and this is my Mt. Rushmore.
Bird was a three time MVP and three time NBA champion. While he is mostly remembered for his shooting, Bird was one of the greatest passing forwards of all-time. Also being a 6'9 lanky, and lacking ideal NBA athleticism (putting it nicely) he still averaged 10 rebounds a game for his career. Bird was an absolute wizard on the court, averaging 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in his best statistical year in 1985. He was also the best player on what some consider to be the best team of all-time, the 1985-86 Celtics. A team that won 67 games including going 40-1 at home. Bird and Magic's joint role of bringing the NBA to prominence in the 80's cements his impact. Bird also coached the Indiana Pacers to an Eastern Conference championship in 2000 to boot.
Oscar Robertson only has one ring and one MVP. Julius Ervin's overall career statistics fall short of the four I named. And Kobe Bryant is just a slight level beneath them as well. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would be the fifth if there could be five.
So in case you only skimmed this, my Mt. Rushmore of Basketball is: Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Larry Bird.
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