NBA Teams: The Faces of Each Franchise
Every team (for the most part) has a player that is known league wide for their amazing talent. These players can carry scoring loads for possessions, quarters and even games at a time. Once they get hot, it's nearly impossible to stop them. These are the faces of every franchise in the National Basketball Association.
Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson
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Joe Johnson is one of the better outside shooters in the league. He can finish at the rack and even create plays for his teammates. Combine this with his above average defensive play and you get the nod in my slideshow as the Hawks face of the franchise. You also a get a fat new 120 million dollar contract.
But I think we both know he'd rather be in my slideshow.
Boston Celtics: The Not As Big As The Big Three, Three
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This is a hard one, usually when you think of the Celtics you think of Pierce, Allen and Garnett. So I'm going to go with all three.
Paul Pierce, is known for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc and for his lock down defense.
Ray Allen, is known for coming off screens and nailing jump shots whenever you need a bucket.
Kevin Garnett, is known for his turnaround off the glass jumpers in the post, his lock down post D and for his passion for the game.
All three are known for being "much in the clutch" in other words being able to hit clutch shots.
Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Wallace
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It was a close race between Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Michael Jordan for this role. But I think Gerald Wallace definitely deserves the title.
He does it all for the Bobcats: he rebounds, he scores and he is one of the best defenders in the league.
He does need to improve his three point shot before he can be considered an elite player in this league though.
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
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Not much indecision for me here. Derrick Rose is one of the top point guards in the NBA and well deserving using his athleticism and court vision to help his team win games.
Now he gets the benefit of having an elite big man in Carlos Boozer (unless of course he trips on more gym bags).
Cleveland Cavaliers: J.J. Hickson
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So this offseason a very insignificant player left the Cleavland Cavaliers, because of this they needed to change the face of their team.
They did this with J.J. Hickson, it's this kids time to shine and after putting up 20+ against the Celtics, he made a pretty nice debut as the new face of the franchise for Cleveland.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
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Dirk Nowitzki has been the face of the Mavericks for as long as he's been there. He can shoot the ball from three and he can shoot it in the post. Not to mention he's not that bad at hitting clutch shots.
Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony... For Now
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For this exact moment, it's Carmelo Anthony. But, it probably will be Chauncey Billups by February.
Obviously Carmelo is one of the best scorers in the game and a superstar.
But he has been the spectacle of many, many trade rumors lately.
Rumored teams he could be moved to include: New York, New Jersey, Chicago and Houston are the four most talked about destinations.
Detroit Pistons: Rip Hamilton
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Richard Hamilton, became a Piston in 2002 and ever since then he has been lighting up the scoreboard for Detroit. Best known for the face mask he wears Rip is definitely the most recognized player on the Pistons.
Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis
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Monta Ellis is one of the best scorers in the game, there is little question about that. he is fresh off of his career high for points in a game against Houston with 46 points. He can hit very tricky shots and if he heats up he's unstoppable.
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
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Yao Ming is one of the most popular players in the world. Consider this, a couple years ago a regular season Rockets vs Bucks game got more viewers than the Super Bowl. Even though Yao is coming off of major foot surgery he is easily one of the most liked players in the league.
Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger
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Each year, Danny Granger has improved drastically. This year should be no different. In the off season he played for Team USA in the FIBA world championships. He is already a prolific scorer in the NBA although he flies under the radar. Look for big things out of the Pacers in a couple years because of him.
Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin
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Blake Griffin was the first pick of the 2009 NBA draft, but he is still a rookie. Coming off of a year ending injury Blake is being talked about around the league. After an impressive first couple of games he is the face of the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers: Sasha Vujacic
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Sasha Vujacic is a three point marksman. Making clutch shots and tough shots through out the game and being the #1 offensive option on an elite NBA team easily puts him on this list.
Just Kidding...
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Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in the history of the NBA and making shots since day one. Kobe is just an amazing player. Probably the easiest choice out of any of these.
Memphis Grizzles: Rudy Gay
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If you get a max contract in the NBA you better be the face of the franchise. Rudy Gay got a, what most say is undeserved 80 million dollar contract. Let's see him go earn it.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
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Dwyane Wade has been in Miami for his entire career. LeBron has been in Miami three games. This is Dwyane Wade's team and always will be. No question about it.
Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings
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Brandon Jennings was one of the best rookies last year. He had 15.5 points per game to go along with 5.7 assists. A phenomenal season for Jennings and easily the most well known player on the Bucks. Thus making him the face of this franchise.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love?
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There aren't really any players on the Timberwolves a casual basketball fan would really know... I guess you can go with Kevin Love. Really not to much to pick and choose from other than I suppose Michael Beasley. But there you go Kevin Love.
New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez
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Already one of the best big men in the game. Brook Lopez has had a phenomenal career to this point and is only going to get better. New Jersey fans should be excited to see what this young man can bring to the table.
New Orleans Hornets
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Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league, plain and simple. He's been on this New Orleans team since 2005 and been leading it since 2005. He can make every pass, shot and dribble move you can think of. To top it off he's wearing one of the snazziest jerseys in the NBA.
New York Knicks
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Amar'e Stoudemire is a great scorer at the 4/5 position. He signed a huge contract with the Knicks this offseason and so far he is earning every penny. When the Knicks couldn't get Lebron or Wade, they changed gears and got a phenomenal basketball player.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant, last years scoring champion. Whom many think will be this years Most Valuable Player. Durant helped the Thunder push the Lakers to 6 games last year. He is an absolute scoring monster, but could use some improvement on defense and on the glass.
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
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Dwight Howard is in many peoples minds (not mine) the best center in the game. But nonetheless he is a monster on the glass and can dunk on just about anybody. But he is yet to develop a post game which forces teams to double team him (unlike a certain Chinese foe). But he is still an all star and a very good player and working with Hakeem Olajuwon this off season should have certainly helped.
Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala
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Andre Iguodala is one of the best dunkers in the league. Add in he's also a great defender and you get a star player. Rumors say he wants a trade, but then other reports say he doesn't. My opinion is he probably will get traded by the deadline.
Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
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Steve Nash will be in the Hall of Fame. He is going to single handedly lead his team to a possible playoff berth. Without Amar'e it will be hard though, but Suns fans believe he can do it.
Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy
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Brandon Roy is one of the best players in the game today. He can score the ball and as a bonus he can hit clutch shots. I think we all remember his buzzer beater against the Rockets a couple years ago. If Portland does anything this year, it's on Brandon Roy. Well and of course the health of Greg Oden.
Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans
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Tyreke Evans won rookie of the year last year. He averaged 20 points 5 assists and 5 rebounds. One of the only rookies ever to do this. He i just a phenomenal player and will only get better this year.
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan has been on the Spurs literally forever. He has been fantastic for the Spurs taking home a ring and a future place in the Hall of Fame. He is probably the greatest power forward to ever play the game.
Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
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With Chris bosh leaving for Miami, Andrea Bargnani needs to step up and take his role. Not an easy task, but Toronto hopes it happens. It should be a pretty bad season for Toronto, not a bright outlook for Canada.
Utah Jazz: Deron Williams
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Deron Williams is the second best point guard in the NBA. Dwill is going to have to gel with his new pick and roll partner Al Jefferson. That really hasn't happened the first three games, but then again we'll see in December how they are doing and then judge.
Washington Wizards
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John Wall was the first pick in the past draft. He is going to try and have Washington forget the Gilbert Arenas era and many believe he will. With amazing athleticism and IQ at the point, he is the future of the Wizards organization. Now the question is, where will Gilbert Arenas go????
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