The NBA's Best: By The Numbers, Part 1

A fellow Bleacher Report contributor recently invited me to read an article he wrote concerning a tradition he has initiated to celebrate each of his son's birthdays.

Each year, his boy will receive a jersey bearing the retired number of one of baseball's all-time greats that matches his current age.

Inspired by his list, I created my own for the NBA. Here, you will find my thoughts on who represents the best NBA player—past or current—to ever don a specific uniform number, ranging from 00 (Robert Parish) to 50 (David Robinson).

Where the choice has been a tough one, I have given an 'honorable mention' to those players who come close but ultimately fail to represent the best player to ever wear a given number.

Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal, for instance, both fall short of Magic Johnson as the best NBA player to wear number 32, yet their accomplishments in that uniform still warrant recognition.

For players who have worn more than one uniform number during their careers, I have limited their eligibility to the number they wore the most.

That means, for example, that Kobe Bryant is only eligible for uniform number 8, even though he has worn number 24 for the past few years.

One other disclaimer before we begin: Due to the limited number of players to wear a uniform number in the ranges 26-29, 36-39 and 46-49 inclusive, I have not provided an entry here, even though an obvious choice may exist.

Andrei Kirilenko probably has a lock on No. 47 given his nickname (i.e. AK-47) and Russian origins, but he falls in one of those relatively non-competitive ranges that will not be considered here.

[Incidentally, for those who may not know, basketball officials have historically resisted the desire by players to choose numbers ending with anything greater than five.

Simply put, signaling the number of a player to the scorer's table is more difficult to achieve when you need both hands to indicate the number].

Without further delay, I hope you enjoy Part 1 of the show, which will cover the range of numbers from 00 through 10.

00

A four-time NBA champion ('81, '84, '86, '97), Robert "Chief" Parish averaged close to a double-double his long, 21-year NBA career.

Teamed with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale during the 1980s, Parish was a key member of the original "Big Three" in Boston.

0

Although Agent "0" has played in just 15 games over the past two seasons, he still represents the best player to wear the "goose egg" on his chest.

Averaging more than 20 points per game for his career, Arenas is one of the most prolific scorers at the point guard position in the NBA today.

Honorable Mention: Leon Powe, Boston Celtics, who has the potential to develop into a very good power forward if his knees hold out.

1

A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion, Tracy McGrady has had 45 games in which he has scored 40 or points during his career.

Injuries have limited his effectiveness recently, but McGrady still has time to improve his status as one of his generation's best players.

2

Averaging a double-double throughout his playing days, Moses Malone won three MVP awards and an NBA Championship during his illustrious career.

As one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," Malone represents one of the true legends of the game.

Honorable Mention: Alex English, another member of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History."

3

With an Olympic gold medal, an NBA Championship, a Finals MVP, and a scoring title to his credit, Dwayne Wade has the potential to join the game's legends by the time his career draws to an end.

Honorable Mention: Allen Iverson, whose recent difficulties in Detroit have tarnished his legacy.

4

Another member of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," Adrian Dantley averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game throughout his career. His .540 career field goal percentage is one of the highest in the history of the NBA for a non-center player.

Honorable Mention: Joe Dumars.

5

Jason Kidd more than makes up for his poor outside shooting (career 40.2% FG shooting), with his ability to force turnovers (2.0 steals per game), grab boards (6.7 rebounds per game), and create open looks for his teammates (9.2 assists per game).

6

Considered by many to be one of the greatest champions in any sport throughout history, Bill Russell was an Olympic gold medalist and an eleven-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics.

He averaged more than 15 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 assists per game throughout his career.

Honorable Mention: Julius "Dr. J" Erving, a legendary player and NBA champion who was a true innovator of the game.

7

Nate "Tiny" Archibald is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring (34 points per game) and assists (11.4 per game) during a single season.

An NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1981, Archibald was also selected as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" in 1996.

Honorable Mention: "Pistol" Pete Maravich, another member of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" who dazzled NBA fans of the 1970s with his showboating style of play.

8

A three-time NBA champion, two-time scoring champion, and one-time MVP winner, Kobe Bryant possesses one of the most complete games in the NBA today, with the ability to take control of a game at both ends of the floor.

Honorable Mention: Walter Bellamy, one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History."

9

A two-time NBA MVP, one-time NBA champion, and a career double-double player (16.2 rpg & 26.4 ppg), Bob Pettit (the guy on the right) was one of the most talented players of the 1950s era.

Known for his work ethic on the court, Pettit's success earned him selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History."

10

Walt "Clyde" Frazier led the Knicks to two NBA championships during the early 1970s and averaged nearly 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game throughout his career.

Like many others on this list, Frazier earned selection to the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" in 1996.