Do You Know the Face of Your NBA Team?: The Names and Faces of the NBA
The superstars of the NBA are easy to recognize, but not every team is lucky enough to have one.The 2011 NBA trade deadline has come and gone with a flurry of moves as teams scramble to assemble their teams for the playoff push. Some teams added a new face, some teams are searching for a new identity and for some teams, it's as though they never had one in the first place.
Here is a list of each team (alphabetically) and the name (or names) that are the faces of the 30 NBA franchises.
Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson
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Joe Johnson is the man responsible for bringing the Hawks back to respectability. Since joining the team for the 2005-06 season, Johnson has averaged 20+ points every season and shows no signs of slowing down.
Boston Celtics: The Big Three
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The Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen sent the Celtics from also-ran to the top of the world in 2008. They are responsible for every superstar who wants to "put aside their egos to come together and win championships" (ring chasers, anybody?). Nonetheless, the Celtics are a force in the Eastern Conference anytime these three lace 'em up.
Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson
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If you guessed this one, you're better than most fans. Stephen Jackson is the go-to-guy for Michael Jordan's Bobcat team. Jackson's stats seem impressive enough (18.9 ppg, 3.8 apg, 4.5 rpg), but on his fifth team in his 10 years of being in the league, one starts to wonder how long Jackson will be the face of the franchise. MJ and head coach Paul Silas have a big draft coming up this June.
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
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Derrick Rose was the missing piece that Bulls GM Gar Forman was looking for. The sensational guard from Memphis has won over the league with his confidence, poise, and leadership. In only his third season, Rose has lifted himself into the NBA elite. This season, Rose is on a tear (25 ppg, eight apg, four rpg) and could very well find himself with some MVP hardware at the end of the year.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Baron Davis
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Sorry Cleveland fans, but it's true. Baron Davis and his beard are now the face of this franchise. One season departed from "The King", the Cavs and their historical losing streak are looking more like court jesters.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitski
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Forget best foreign born player. Dirk Nowitski has carried the Dallas Mavericks for the past 10 years and should be a lock for the Hall of Fame. Perhaps the best pure shooter since Larry Bird, Nowitski career's shooting percentage is just a tick under 48 percent. 48 percent! I'll take a 6'11" forward who has unlimited range and makes half of his shots any day!
Denver Nuggets: Nene Hilario
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After the departure of Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets are in desperate need of a new franchise player. Denver gets younger in the deal that shipped Anthony and second leading scorer Chauncey Billups, but it will take time to see if the younger players fully develop to compete in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Players like Nene will have to step up to keep them from becoming Nene "Hilarious".
Detroit Pistons: Tayshawn Prince and Richard Hamilton
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Life is tough for the Pistons' staples who previously led the team to an NBA Championship and six straight Eastern Conference Finals. People in Detroit are screaming to trade the role player Prince, hoping for something of value. As far as Richard Hamilton is concerned, his days as a Piston are over. It's truly sad to see how far Motown has fallen.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
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Even though Monta Ellis averages 25 ppg, Steph Curry is the face of the franchise. The young guard from Davidson has the game to back up the college hype, but the rest of the team is lacking. Building around Curry and Ellis is essential for the Warriors to compete in the Western Conference.
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
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Even though Yao has only played in 82 games over the past two seasons (and most of them hurt), he still holds the title as face of the franchise. We can only hope as fans that Yao can get his foot problem worked out and be back on the court next season; the fate of Houston depends on it.
Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger
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The Pacers may have been nearly obsolete for the past decade, but Danny Granger leads a team that is working its way back to respectability. With the right moves and a good draft, the Pacers have a chance to compete with the Chicago Bulls for Central Division supremacy.
Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin
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The legend of Blake Griffin grows each day. After his all-star dunk contest performance, Griffin heads into the stratosphere of NBA superstars. The hands down Rookie of the Year will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. Let's just hope, for the Clippers' sake, that they can put some pieces around him.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
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The Black Mamba has been preying on opponents for the past 14 seasons and has added the rings and hardware to be added into the conversation of "best ever". A pure scorer and lock down defender, Bryant has the drive and determination to get another ring or two before his illustrious career is over.
Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph
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It's easy to get lost in the competitive Western Conference, but Zach Randolph's 20ppg-13rpg stats can't be hidden. This powerful lefty's career started in doubt as he garnered the reputation as a "bad boy", but two seasons in Memphis have seemed to settle down the star of the Grizz'. Memphis might not be a top-tier team, but their winning record proves they are no one to take lightly.
Miami Heat: Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh
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After "The Decision", it's impossible to mention any one of these players' names without talking about the others. The NBA was turned upside down as the Heat cleared the roster to make room for these three superstars. If the Heat can win the championship this year, the way the NBA works and operates will never be the same.
Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings
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The lowly Milwaukee Bucks are another team lacking a "true" star. Jennings has a reputation for skipping college to play overseas for a year, but other than Andrew Bogut, has no supporting cast to make the Bucks competitive. This franchise needs a jolt to make them relevant for the first time since Ray Allen.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love
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The T'Wolves might be one of the league's worst teams, but it boasts one of its best young players. Kevin Love can do it all. His 20.1 ppg and 15.4 rpg are among the league's best. If Minnesota's basketball future has any hope, it must focus around Love.
New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams
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Before the trade deadline, it would have been a stretch to pick a player to be the face of the Nets' franchise. Owner Mikhail Prokhorov seems to want to spend the dough, and Willams is the right choice to build around. Deron has the game to be a top-flight superstar, and maybe the lights of New York City will be just the thing to set him apart.
New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul
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As long as the Hornets front office is focused on trying to fill their stadium and not on making Chris Paul happy, the face of the franchise will change, and soon. Paul has battled his way through injuries this season, but in a division with San Antonio and Dallas, NOLA has been lost in the shuffle. To keep Paul from joining Carmelo and Amare in New York, the Hornets must bring in a big time player.
New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony
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Carmelo Anthony is the first Knick that has mattered since Patrick Ewing and immediately makes New York a contender in the Eastern Conference. The trio of Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups places them right along with the Heat, Celtics, and Bulls for supremacy. Can the team gel in time for the playoffs?
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
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After an unbeliveable summer where Durant led Team USA to World Championship gold, the Thunder small forward has picked up right where he left off. Currently averaging 28.8 ppg, Durant is making his case to be in the MVP discussion. After the acquisition of Kendrick Perkins at the trade deadline, Oklahoma City is ready to be reckoned with. After putting a scare into the Lakers last season, no one wants to see OKC in the playoffs this year.
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
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The Magic seem to be the team left behind in the Eastern Conference. Dwight Howard is the centerpiece of Orlando's chances, but without a true No. 2 supporting him, Howard may be looking for a change of address in the near future.
Philadelphia 76ers: Elton Brand
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The 'Sixers are slowly working themselves back from being in the NBA basement. Currently one game below .500, Elton Brand and company are trying to squeeze into the playoffs. The development of Evan Turner is important if this team is to ever grow into a contender.
Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
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Even at 38 years old, Steve Nash is still considered on of the top point guards in the league. It's a shame that the Suns' front office couldn't put anything together to give Nash one more run at the Finals. If Karl Malone is the best player to never win a title, then Steve Nash is the best to never even have the chance.
Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy
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It's unfortunate that the face of the Trail Blazers is confined to the bench because of injury. However, with the emergence of LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland might just be the next up-and-coming team in the West.
Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans
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Although the Kings might be located in Anaheim or Vancouver in the near future, there is no doubt who the relevant player is on this team. Tyreke Evans has the skills to be a superstar in the league (just look up his winning half court shot) but needs DeMarcus Cousins to mature before the Kings are threatening the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
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Everyone keeps waiting to call the Spurs over the hill, but it refuses to happen. Greg Popovich's team is playing smarter and wiser than ever and boasts the leagues best record. There is no doubt the window is closing on the Spurs, but there is no denying they'll have a say in who makes the Finals this season.
Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
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Andrea Bargnani doesn't have the game of a superstar, yet. This Italian import leads the Raptors in points per game (21.9) and being 7'0" doesn't hurt either. Toronto desperately needs a spark after the departure of of Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat this season. Bargnani has the tools to be a premier big man, and has shown this with a 41 point outburst against New York in December. But to make this franchise face a household name, he's going to need some help
Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson
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Jerry Sloan is gone. Deron Williams is gone. The Utah Jazz has fallen into mediocrity over the course of one month. Al Jefferson currently leads the team in points and rebounds, but the franchise needs someone to make people care. This upcoming off-season might be as important as any in team history.
Washington Wizards: John Wall
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The Wizards may be at the bottom of the league in almost every statistical category, but at least they boast a star-in-the-making. John Wall already has a rap song named after him, and his exciting play on the court might just help the people of Washington, D.C. forget all about that notorious "Agent Zero".
