Hoops Haven

I don’t know about you, but I tend to enjoy the NBA’s promos which show some of the game’s biggest stars doing great things.  You know…………………….the one’s that end with,”Where Greatness Happends.”  The NBA’s newest commercial focuses on defense and has a hip-hop feel to it because all of the players voices are cut and chopped like they are busting a rhyme.  Since the video is all about defense, of course the NBA chose to use such defensive demons like Kevin Garnett and Bill Russell. 

Try and count how many times they say “DEFENSE.”

Where Defense Happens

NBA on MySpace | MySpace Video

We all know that Michael Jordan is at least in the conversation as the Greatest NBA Player of All Time. While some opinions argue Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, or Jerry West should get the nod as the GOAT, Jordan unquestionably is the player that took the league to the great heights that we witness today. Jerry West’s silhouette will be forever known as the NBA logo, shouldn’t MJ be forever immortalized as well?

In two of the other “major” sports, jersey numbers have been retired to remember that sports’ milestone players. Major League Baseball has made sure that no other player wears the number 42, besides the great Jackie Robinson, who helped to break baseball’s color barrier. Likewise, the NHL has retired the number 99, in honor of the “Great One” Wayne Gretzky.

The issue has always been a topic of conversation but has really taken off recently with Lebron James informing all of us he will be changing his jersey number from #23 to his Olympic #6, in honor of “His Airness.” Jordan has not only has been one of the game’s greatest players, but has been the inspiration and role model to many of the game’s current players and fans around the world. He, more than any other player, has been the face of the NBA for more than 25 years.

The Miami Heat apparently agree with James since they, under Pat Riley’s insistence, retired and hung Jordan’s #23 jersey from their rafters back in 2003. Riley argues,” Number 23 needs to hang in the air, kind of like Jordan did in all those epic flights to the rim.” It’s ironic to say the least that Riley is one of MJ’s biggest supporters considering that many of Jordan’s high flying exploits were at the expense of many of Riley’s teams like the Lakers, Knicks, and Heat.

The opposite, and more negative end of the argument, is that while Jordan was a great player on the court, his en-devours into his now legendary high stakes poker games, gambling on golf matches, and infidelities in his marriage are not exactly someone the league should honor. Another logical argument is that Jordan is just one of many NBA superstars of his generation and hasn’t changed the game in any way or had any historical significance like Jackie Robinson and issues with race. Also, if the number would be retired, what about the other 12 players who currently wear the number on NBA rosters, immediately switch to another or wait till they retire?

In my opinion, Jordan’s positives greatly outnumber the negatives. MJ was the total package, Hall of Fame player, media darling, and worldwide ambassador of the sport. I can’t think of any other NBA player that I would want to represent the sport. Tell us what you think?

Everyone likes to express themselves in their own way, and NBA players are no different. From hairstyles to tatoos, to beards and mustaches, each player has their individual style. Some players take their individuality to the extreme for all of us to see. Here is my list of All-Time NBA players who were not afraid to express themselves and gave us a lasting image while on the court:

Honorable Mention:

Bill Russell – Style can also be expressed in jewelry, and no one has more championship rings than Mr. Russell.

10) Manute Bol – Who could forget his 7′7, “Daddy Long Legs” physique where 95% of his body was arms and legs. As a fan favorite in Philly, he once hit 6 of 12 on three point shots in a game against former teammate Charles Barkley, when with the Suns.

9) Stephon Marbury – By now we all are fascinated by Steph’s online antics eating glue and crying. He’s like a bad accident, we just can’t look away. We should have realized that he was heading down the oddball path last Summer when he was apparently influenced by Mike Tyson to get his Starbury logo tatted onto his head.

Adam Morrison – Although he was a tremendous player at Gonzaga, he is more known for his cheesy, shady looking mustache while riding the pine, in the NBA.

7) Anthony Mason – As a revered defensive presence in the NBA for 13 years, Mason may have been the first player to shave words and sayings into his head, like “I’m Ready” during the ‘99 NBA lockout.

6) Kenny “Sky” Walker – Although other players like Dell Curry, Sam Perkins, and most recently Brandon Jennings, rocked the high top fade, Walker’s was probably the highest. That along with his spandex shorts extending a few inches below his regulation NBA attire, and winning the ‘89 Slam Dunk title, made him a crowd favorite.

5) Chris “Birdman” Andersen – Everything about the Birdman is in your face, from his many different stylish hairdoo’s, emphatic dunks, numerous tatoos, to his hands flapping with his arms folded celebrations after a big dunk.

4)Kurt Rambis – The Wolves new head coach used to wear some stylish specs during his playing days, making millions of fans think it was cool to wear glasses……………..not!

3) “Dr J” Julius Erving – Early fans of the “Dr” remember he, along with Artis Gilmore sported huge afros, all the way back to their ABA days.

2) Allen Iverson – The “Answer” has his own style even today. Using his diminutive stature to score at will, to the many tatoos, the cornrows, and even his on and offcourt swagger, AI definately expresses himself.

1) Dennis Rodman – “The Worm” got under everyone’s skin, even his own teammates. While he was undoubtedly one of the best rebounders in history, Rodman without a doubt put on a show, from the outragious hair colors, to mocking opponents, kicking photographers, refusing to wear shoes, and even getting married to………………….himself.