Fans of the NBA hold a special place in their heart for franchise players. These stars have accomplished great things for their teams and in the process have helped them reach unrivaled heights.
Here are the most famous franchise players from nine of the biggest NBA teams.
Number Nine – Hakeem Olajuwon – Houston Rockets
To this day, Olajuwon is still considered by his loyal fanbase to be the greatest player ever to dawn the Rockets Jersey.
The big man was the leading force behind the success of Houstans Rockets in the mid-1990s, which saw them win back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
Number Eight – Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks
Nowitzki is remembered by his fans as one of the most loyal players in the history of the NBA. Despite years of failure, the Dallas Mavericks star never considered jumping ship.
Drik was finally rewarded for his patience in the 2011 season, which ended with the Mavericks being crowned NBA champions.
Number Seven – Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA and the best to ever play for the Lakers. During his long career with the club, he went from a flashy teen to a worldwide superstar.
While Kobe ended up in various legal trouble, he was still loved by both his team and the fans, thanks to his dedication to the sport. His legendary status grew even further after the unfortunate helicopter crash that led to his passing in 2020.
Number Six – Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors (11)
Steph Curry will go down in the history books as one of the best pure shooters to ever play in the NBA. The 9x All-Star played a significant role in the Warriors’ success over the past decade.
Curry’s boyish looks and unfathomable accuracy on the court have earned him legendary status with the Golden State fans, who see him as the greatest player to wear the jersey.
Number Five – Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin finished his career as one of only two players from the Clippers to score over 10,000 points. As a result of his achievements in the jersey, he’s widely considered to be the Clipper’s GOAT.
His accomplishments on the court made it cool to be a Clippers fan, and Griffin was one of the primary reasons behind the LA-based team’s success during his era.
Number Four – LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
Once upon a time, the fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers harbored a lot of hatred for LeBron James. However, this was put to rest when he returned to help them finally claim a championship in 2016.
While Le Bron once again left Ohio in 2018 to join the Lakers, the sting didn’t seem to hurt as bad following their triumph. To this day, he’s still considered the greatest player ever to represent the Cavaliers.
Number Three – Bill Russell – Boston Celtics
While Bill Russell retired over five decades ago, Celtic fans reminisce about his glory days as if they were yesterday.
Russell was one of the greatest defenders in the history of the NBA, and his consistent performances helped the Celtics bring home 11 championships to Boston.
Number Two – Dwayne Wade – Miami Heat
Dwayne Wade became an instant star for the Miami Heat when he joined the team back in 2003. From the get-go, he was putting on game-winning performances, and in return, the fans came to love the franchise player.
Wade’s legend grew to unprecedented heights after his masterful performance at the 2006 NBA final, culminating in a Miami championship.
Number One – Michael Jordon – Chicago Bulls
Of course our list wouldn’t be complete with the GOAT, Michael Jordan. His name in Chicago goes far beyond legendary status, thanks to the success he brought the Bulls.
During the 90’s, Jordan would play a huge role in the six championships that were brought back to Chicago during his era. On top of this, he helped popularize the entirety of the sport thanks to his brand deals.
