NBA: Most Popular Player in the History of Each Franchise

The most popular player in the history of each team in the NBA isn't based off of just talent.

These guys were revered, cheered and downright loved during their tenure with the specified club.

Some, like Michael Jordan, were the obvious choice for their franchise, but the 30 members of this list aren't all so crystal clear.

Let's see which retro uniform belongs in your collection.

Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins

The Human Highlight Film brought excitement to basketball in Atlanta.

He was awfully talented on the basketball court, and fans readily embraced him as a result.

With eight seasons over 2,000 points during his time with the Hawks, it's easy to see why everybody loved Mr. Wilkins.

Boston Celtics: Larry Bird

There were some great candidates for this historic franchise, but Bird's extraordinary popularity during the golden age of basketball elevates him above the rest.

Larry Legend was in the heart of every Celtics fan, and his prowess on the basketball court left the Beantown bunch craving more.

It's absolutely amazing what Bird was able to accomplish at the height of his career, and it is truly an honor to be the lead man on this list for the team.

Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Wallace

This was a rather small pool of players in the franchise's brief history, but none were more beloved than Gerald Wallace.

When the veteran forward was dealt to the Blazers at the 2010-11 deadline, it left a hole on the club that won't be replaced quickly.

Wallace was really welcomed for his veteran leadership and contributions across the board, something that nobody else currently rostered is capable of doing.

Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan

This one is blatantly obvious, and the picture couldn't be any more appropriate considering that Jordan was the boss of basketball throughout the course of his career.

MJ captivated the crowd on a nightly basis, and there is not a single player that meant more to his club than Jordan did.

He almost never disappointed, and even on an "off" night he was better than most.

Just imagine if SportsCenter did a "Top 10" segment on a nightly basis when he was playing.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Mark Price

For those that were expecting to see LeBron James in this spot, think again.

After James departed for Miami, Cleveland flipped the script on his legacy and turned LeBron's world upside down in terms of what he was used to seeing.

Price, who was an excellent shooter and underrated passer, contributed more to the Cavs team than he really receives credit for.

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

As if there was any doubt about it prior, Nowitzki's delivering of the title sealed the deal for his legacy in Dallas.

There is not another NBA player like him in any aspect of his game. A legitimate seven-footer that possesses a skill set of someone much smaller, Nowitzki is an absolute magician in his game.

His leadership on the court is clear, and he's undoubtedly one of the most unique talents to ever grace the hardwood.

Denver Nuggets: Alex English

Even if English wasn't a talented baller, that legendary mustache and those all-too-short shorts would have landed him on this list.

All joking aside, English's ability to impact the game on the court was incredible. One of the last pure artists of the mid-range game, English was able to drain 'em with anyone that challenged him.

With his sweet shooting stroke and remarkable ability to find the bottom of the net, it's no wonder his jersey remains one of the most popular well after his retirement.

Detroit Pistons: Isiah Thomas

Thomas' tenure in the front office and on the sidelines may not be as prolific as what he accomplished on the court, but he's still readily welcomed in Detroit as a baller.

His ability to facilitate an offense and dominate the flow of the game is what gives him Hall of Fame status. He's the best point guard the Pistons have had in a long time.

It's not surprising that his game didn't transition from player to executive, as that really hasn't always worked out well in recent years.

Golden State Warriors: Chris Mullin

The Warriors have never quite had another contributor like Chris Mullin.

A solid scorer and dynamic perimeter talent, Mullin's ability to stretch the floor for Golden State was critical during his tenure, and he was twice the leading minutes-getter for the team.

He did a lot of things that others couldn't, and his approach from the foul line to pair with his potent three-point game made him an invaluable asset to the franchise.

Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon

The Rockets might be looking for a long-term answer in the middle now, but when Olajuwon was around, that wasn't exactly a focal point of concern.

The Dream earned his nickname because he was exactly that. An absolute pleasure to watch play the game—Olajuwon's contributions were limitless during his tenure with the club.

He was insanely popular both on and off of the court, and he served proudly as the team's leader.

Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller

Unless you were a fan of the New York Knicks, Reggie Miller in a Pacers uniform was the sweetest sight to see for a long time.

The all-time leading three-point shooter before Ray Allen broke his record during the 2010-11 campaign, Miller's perimeter game is second to none considering how dominant he was when he played.

No. 31 was a machine long before Sasha Vujacic was inappropriately given the nickname, and there's no doubt that he remains among the most revered figures in the history of the Pacers.

Los Angeles Clippers: Bob McAdoo

For those that are unfamiliar with what Bob McAdoo brought to the game, prepare to get amazed.

After his rookie campaign, McAdoo registered three straight seasons of 2,000-plus points while shooting a very solid clip from the floor and rebounding like a man on a mission.

He got to the foul line with regularity, and even contributed on the defensive end of the floor despite all that he brought to the offensive attack.

Now that's one well-rounded player.

Los Angeles Lakers: Magic Johnson

While a lot of the newer members of Lakers Nation will be clamoring for Kobe here, there would have been no "Showtime" without a little Magic.

Johnson was absolutely adored by every single fan that packed the building, and his standout play was a major reason why he was so cheered.

He remains in the Los Angeles family despite publicly distancing himself from the team, but almost everybody knows that he'll always have a special place in his heart for the Lakers.

Memphis Grizzlies: Pau Gasol

It's pretty strange to see this Gasol in a Memphis jersey, but he was very much the man for a long time in Tennessee.

The Grizzlies were a dormant franchise that was energized by Gasol's emerging play, and his solid effort on a nightly basis brought people into the building when nothing else could.

Oddly enough, Gasol's departure was central to the team's re-building that has now made them a strong contender in a crowded Western Conference.

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

When Miami-Dade was renamed Miami-Wade in an effort to honor the shooting guard, any other player was thrown out the window for the purpose of this conversation.

As if he had to prove his alpha dog status, Wade was readily embraced by the Heat's ephemeral fanbase regardless of what he was able to do on the basketball court.

He's got the whole city following his every move, and there isn't much that he can do to disappoint them at this point.

Milwaukee Bucks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

"Kareem Abdul-Jabbar" are three of the most powerful words that anyone could ever say in a conversation about basketball.

During his six seasons with the Bucks, the center led the league in field goals made in four of them, led the league in points in three of them and proved to be one of the most dominant centers of all time from the inaugural onset of his career.

Abdul-Jabbar only shot under 50 percent from the floor one time in his career, and it was in his final season with the Lakers.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett

Before Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics, he symbolized everything that was good about basketball in Minnesota.

And while the memory of Garnett as a Timberwolves player may have begun to fade as the team transitions to a new era, his dominance during his days in a T-Wolves uniform made him second to none.

Garnett did everything for a team that needed him to do so, but unfortunately it never translated into any real success for the club.

New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd

The Nets haven't exactly been blessed with talent through the years, and although that pattern will soon change, it hasn't quite yet.

Jason Kidd was an excellent facilitator of the team's offense at a time when nobody else could live up to the challenge, and his ability to contribute in every facet of the game really aided his argument.

He really led the club when it was void of a leader, and he even led the franchise to the Finals although there were clearly teams more talented than the Nets.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

Chris Paul might be on his way out of New Orleans after the season, but he'd be the highest-paid player in history if it were up to the team's fans.

Not only is CP3 an icon in New Orleans, but he's also been the best player that the club has literally ever seen, and a talent like his doesn't come around very often.

As a nightly triple-double threat, it's not surprising that Paul is so welcomed by the fans, but it's his off-court reputation that strengthens his brand in the community.

New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing

There have been some phenomenal names to play for the New York franchise, but Patrick Ewing's standout play placed him at the forefront of prominence.

One of the greatest centers to ever play the game, Ewing's ability to do a number of things on the court made him one of the most talented seven-footers to ever play.

With career averages of 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 2.5 BPG, it's easy to see why so many fans wanted to see the ball entered into the low post.

Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics: Gary Payton

It's not going to take long for Kevin Durant to make a serious case to take this spot away from Payton, but The Glove remains the top option at the current juncture.

Despite the franchise closing up shop in Seattle and heading to Oklahoma City, the team remains the same.

An absolute icon in Seattle, Payton's standout defensive play and excellent point guard skills make him one of the best to ever man the position.

It was a special brand of basketball when Payton and Shawn Kemp were running things in Seattle, and it's likely one that will forever be lost moving forward.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

The Magic are going to be awfully disappointed if they lose Dwight Howard to free agency after the season, and it's not just because he's a beast in the middle.

The people in Orlando absolutely flock to Howard's charismatic personality, and he is easily one of the most marketable players in the sport.

His non-cookie cutter personality gives him an originality and flair that others lack, and as the only truly dominant center currently in the league, Howard's appeal is undoubtedly off the charts.

Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Erving

Julius Erving might be better known as Dr. J, but nobody in Philly would get confused regardless of what nickname you gave to the slam-dunk artist.

After coming out of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Erving helped to radically change the game of basketball with his athleticism and highlight-style of play.

He was also able to lead the charge toward ascertaining a championship for the team at age 33, and his success seemed to be the most consistent thing about his attack.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

While Nash might have had a stop in Dallas along the way, there's no doubt that he calls Phoenix his home when it comes to ballin' in the United States.

Despite the massive rebuilding project that the Suns are currently going through, Nash has expressed an interest in remaining and helping turn the team around.

A back-to-back winner of the NBA's MVP award, there isn't going to be another point guard in Nash's mold for an extraordinarily long time.

Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler

There hasn't been another player quite like The Glide since his retirement, and it's doubtful that we'll see one quite like him at any point in the near future.

With eight selections to the All-Star team during his tenure with the Blazers, Drexler's best days clearly came with the Portland franchise.

Although he wasn't able to bring a title to town, Drexler earned the respect of every fan that packed the building for his ability to fly through the air with relative ease.

Sacramento Kings: Oscar Robertson

What can you say about the only guy in league history to ever average a triple-double for the length of the season?

As if that didn't cement his place in the franchise's history, Robertson's mid-range game was one of the best (if not the best) that the game of basketball has ever seen.

He was absolutely dominant on the court and barely looked like he exerted 100 percent, and his smooth style of play blew everyone else right off the court.

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

Is there a more consummate professional in athletics than Tim Duncan?

He's spent the entire tenure of his NBA life with San Antonio, and Duncan's contributions both on the basketball court and with the community have been best in team history.

There isn't a single thing that Duncan doesn't do well, and he should serve as the ultimate role model for big men who are hoping to carve out a successful career both in personal life and pro basketball.

Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh

It's been tough for Toronto fans to really get excited about the future of their team when the most popular player willingly left the city in a heartbeat.

Bosh was very valuable to the Raptors when he was playing with the team, and now that he's moved on, some fans are hoping that he would have stayed in town.

Utah Jazz: John Stockton and Karl Malone

It wouldn't make sense to separate two guys who were attached at the hip for the majority of their careers in the NBA.

The Jazz haven't had a player (or really even a group of players) come close to matching the popularity of these two, and they really represented the Utah brand of basketball for a very long time.

There are not two other players that are more recognizable to the collective fanbase when it comes to historic duos in the league.

Washington Wizards: Elvin Hayes

What didn't Hayes do right during his tenure with the Bullets?

Playing alongside Wes Unseld, the two forwards were downright unstoppable when it came to production underneath the rim against opposing big men.

With multiple accolades to tout during his time with the team and a very usual scorer of 20-plus per night, Hayes is one of the most overlooked players of his generation.