50 Legends That Need to Be Added to NBA Jam

NBA Jam is a classic video game, but the list of included legends falls a little flat.

While there are some great ones included like Julius Erving, Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen, there are a ton of talented NBA legends that are left off of the roster.

When running two-on-two, there are a lot of classic players that could really make this action a lot more enjoyable for a plethora of users.

Here are 50 guys that should definitely be under consideration.

Steve Smith, Atlanta

Smitty would be a fun addition to the game, and he would provide versatility a la present day guard Joe Johnson.

He can stroke it from anywhere on the court and excelled at the foul line, making him a solid threat on the digital court.

Bob Pettit, Atlanta

One of the most underrated Hawks to ever don the uniform; Pettit really brought the heat against the opposition.

He never averaged less than a double-double at any point in his career, and only once did he fail to reach the 20/10 mark in a single season.

Robert Parish, Boston

Parish was a staple in Boston, and his contributions came in the form of a regular double-double.

Could you imagine patrolling the lane with Parish and creating havoc against your opponent? I certainly could.

Bill Russell, Boston

It’s pretty amazing that Russell wasn’t included in the original legends for the Celtics, but there’s no doubt that he belongs.

How can you leave off a guy that collected 11 rings in just 13 seasons all for the same club? I can’t.

Sam Jones, Boston

Jones doesn’t get a ton of love because of how loaded the Celtics roster really was, but he definitely gets the nod if I’m gaming with the legends.

He was a bona fide scorer that really knew how to bring it, and I’d have no trouble using him from the mid-range.

Jo Jo White, Boston

Like Jones, White doesn’t get a lot of consideration for video game placement, but he absolutely should.

He contributed in a variety of ways on the court, and he could really make for a fun running mate when it matters most.

Bob Cousy, Boston

Cousy knew how to dish the rock, and on a Celtics team loaded with scorers, that is especially important.

He could run my offense any day of the week and I’d definitely have the winning squad when the final buzzer sounded.

Satch Sanders, Boston

Satch didn’t do one thing in outstanding fashion, but his game beneath the rim makes him an excellent teammate.

If you’re running with a squad that includes trigger-happy shooters, Sanders is a welcome addition to balance out the attack.

John Havlicek, Boston

Havlicek might be the perfect running mate for Sanders in this game, as he loved to shoot and score the rock.

He really knew how to score, but he took a fair amount of shots in an effort to do so, as evidenced by his 43.9 percent.

Horace Grant, Chicago

Before it was Jordan, Pippen and Rodman, Grant was an integral contributor for the Bulls.

A cleanup specialist around the rim, Grant’s game would compliment a perimeter-oriented player’s perfectly.

Terrell Brandon, Cleveland

One of my favorite “what if” cases, Brandon’s skill set was perfect for video games.

He’s got had the type of speed and lateral quickness that makes him capable of running circles around the opposition.

Joe Dumars, Detroit

It’s a bit surprising that Dumars wasn’t included in the original choices for Detroit, because he definitely deserves to be included.

He let the net ablaze from the perimeter, and he and Isiah Thomas could run a muck together for any talented player.

Adrian Dantley, Detroit

Dantley is one of the most underrated scorers to play in the league, and that ability makes him a natural for the video game fanatic.

Not only could he score, but also he did it with remarkable efficiency, and that sounds like a lot of offensive opportunities to me.

Alex English, Denver

English is one of my personal favorites to ever play the game, and it’s because his style isn’t one that’s emulated with regularity.

He had more of a mid-range game that didn’t extend to the three-point line, but he’d still weave his way into the lane and dominate the competition if he were to be included on the roster.

Fat Lever, Denver

Lever is like video game gold for those that value more than just scoring from a player.

There’s no doubt that he could put it in the hole, but the impressive part about his game was his ability to get up on the boards.

Dikembe Mutombo, Denver

Mutombo doesn’t get a lot of appreciation for his offense, but he was a double-digit scorer during his Denver days.

His ability to clean up around the rim, rebound with ferocity and block shots better than anybody else makes him a natural fit for this game.

Chris Webber, Golden State

In his prime, C-Webb was able to do almost anything on the court, and he really outplayed almost anyone at his position.

He produced in a prolific fashion from the onset of his NBA tenure, and there’s no doubt he’d do the same if inserted into the game.

Rick Barry, Golden State

How awesome would it be if you could shoot granny-style foul shots in a video game?

Well, if Barry was included for a legendary Warriors team, we could do exactly that.

He was a prolific scorer, and his unique flair for the game would make for an enjoyable time while playing.

Vernon Maxwell, Houston

Maxell was a nice piece to the puzzle for a Rockets team that knew how to use him.

He certainly won’t light it up on the court by himself, but he could be a nice complimentary piece for those players that like to role with one top dog.

Moses Malone, Houston

Malone was another double-double machine that never really slowed down.

If you’re into pairing big men together, Malone and Olajuwon would really make for a dynamic pairing.

Reggie Miller, Indiana

It’s pretty insane that Miller isn’t the first name that would be included for Pacers legends, but it’s time to put him in.

This guy was the face of the franchise throughout his career, and his sweet shot is a sure way to secure several video game victories

Bob McAdoo, Los Angeles Clippers

McAdoo really poured in huge contributions for the franchise when they were housed in Buffalo.

Could you imagine running with a squad of McAdoo and Blake Griffin? I could.

Randy Smith, Los Angeles Clippers

Smith is another member of the franchise that flies underneath the radar, but his abilities should be put on display in a video game.

He played in all 82 games for 10 straight seasons, and that’s the type of competitor I want to have on my squad.

Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers

This guy is the inspiration for the logo—how can we not include him on a list of legends?

An opportunity to play with West and Bryant in the same lineup is really too tantalizing to pass up.

Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers

Baylor averaged three straight season of at least 34 points, and he was a regular getting up on the boards in a big way.

He would be absolutely dominant in a video game, and he’d be fun to use with a number of other Lakers legends.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers

How could you ever lose a video game using Kareem in the middle? Maybe that’s why they haven’t put him in yet.

However, it’s about time that he got his place in the digital hall of fame.

A.C. Green, Los Angeles Lakers

Green was the NBA’s iron man, and I got a special place of respect for a guy that plays in over 1,000 straight.

He was unafraid to play the role of the enforcer on the low block, and I’m all about sending a message to my opponents and claiming the paint as my own.

Byron Scott, Los Angeles Lakers

Scott was a serious contributor for the Showtime Lakers, and it was pretty impressive as to what he was able to accomplish.

I’d be having a lot of fun playing NBA Jam if Scott was involved in the action.

Norm Nixon, Los Angeles Lakers

Nixon could pass or score, as he was somewhat of a dual threat when playing for the Lakers.

As for his role on my video game squad? He could do a lot to secure me the victory.

Alonzo Mourning, Miami

Mourning was a beast for the Heat, and I’m surprised he wasn’t on the original list of inclusions.

Could you imagine running LeBron alongside Mourning when he was in his prime? Now that’s beastly.

Sid Moncrief, Milwaukee

Moncrief was revered in Milwaukee, and rightfully so, as he was a key contributor during his career.

He could really bring it for a guard of his size, and he would be an excellent addition to my video game squad.

Oscar Robertson, Milwaukee

The walking triple-double would be a weapon for any user.

Big O could really do it all. Who wouldn’t want to play with him?

He could do it all on the court, and his inclusion would really make it much more fun to play this game.

Tom Gugliotta, Minnesota

Who didn’t love Googs when he was beasting on the court?

He was an icon in Minnesota during his time there and having him available on the legends roster in the game would make it a better one

Sam Mitchell, Minnesota

Mitchell was a guy that played any role that was asked of him.

Call me crazy, but the ability to know one’s role in the offense is critical if you want to have success in this video game.

Buck Williams, New Jersey

It’s surprising that Williams doesn’t get more love as a Nets legend, because he really brought the heat for his first team.

He averaged a double-double as a rookie and did so in seven straight seasons for the team, and I’d like to see him running alongside Brook Lopez in this one.

Allan Houston, New York

Houston was a phenomenal scorer for the Knicks, and he really knew how to find success with his mid-range game.

Houston alongside Amar’e Stoudemire would really be a fun pairing to see exactly what the two could accomplish together.

Walt Frazier, New York

I can appreciate the choice of Patrick Ewing and John Starks for legends, but Frazier is an icon in New York.

This guy brought a swagger to the court unlike any other that we’ve seen since.

Willis Reed, New York

Reed’s contributions came fast and furious, as he contributed from the onset of his playing days in the league.

He was the real deal for New York, and it would be cool to give it a shot with the undersized big men against some of the current competition.

Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando

Shaq just retired, so I can’t blame the game for not having him in there yet.

However, when he does make his debut, I don’t want to see him anywhere else but on the Magic rocking those sweet retro uniforms.

Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia

Cheeks was a very solid point guard for the Sixers, and he played with a fairly staunch sense of consistency.

With that type of attack, he’d make for a fun running mate in a video game that values a whole lot of offense.

Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia

It’s pretty mind-blowing that Chamberlain isn’t an original legend, and his presence is necessitated in the game as soon as possible.

He would be able to score over just about anyone, and it would be fun to see how he’d pair up against some of the more modern-day big men.

Charles Barkley, Philadelphia

Just like with the 2K series, Barkley remains noticeably absent from the legends lineup.

Sir Charles was an absolute brawler for Philadelphia and a lineup that consists of he and Julius Erving would really be all sorts of awesome.

Terry Porter, Portland

Porter brought the heat for the Blazers, scoring and racking up assists like he was a man on a mission.

He’s got the ability to do a multitude of things on the court, and that can only help lead me to success on the hardwood.

Gary Payton, Seattle/Oklahoma City

How can you have a video game with legends and not include The Glove?

File him under the OKC ticket, but Payton deserves a chance to play with his old-school buddies in this one.

Shawn Kemp, Seattle/Oklahoma City

The Rain Man and Payton belong on the court with one another.

He’s got the ability to do it all, and there wasn’t a big man with a more unique look to his jumper than Kemp.

Vlade Divac, Sacramento

I like to use an inside presence when I’m running with a squad, and that’s what Divac can certainly provide.

There’s no doubt that he’d give anybody an enforcer in the paint, and he certainly wouldn’t be afraid to take a charge.

Jeff Hornacek, Utah

Everyone mentions Stockton and Malone in the same sentence together, but Hornacek remains quite popular in Utah.

His smooth jumper and immaculate stroke from the foul line would certainly help out any effort to win.

Mark Eaton, Utah

Eaton is the definition of a defining presence in the key, and his defensive prowess shouldn’t be swept aside.

With that type of lock down defense near the rim, most players can force the opposition to the perimeter, making it much harder to take home the win.

Elvin Hayes, Washington

Hayes was downright dominant during his playing days, and he’d be a one-man wrecking crew for a legendary Washington team.

A pairing of Hayes and John Wall would really make for some fun alley-oop lob passes between teammates.

Wes Unseld, Washington

Like Hayes, Unseld was a beast on the boards, but he didn’t have quite the flair for scoring.

However, he doesn’t really need to, as his ability to contribute on the glass would validate his presence in any lineup.