Former MVP and 11-time All-Star Allen Iverson become the latest player to be rewarded with a statue last week by the Philadelphia 76ers. The statue will be unveiling in April. It is one of the greatest privileges a basketball player can receive and the gesture cements a players name in basketball folklore.
On Tuesday, well-known television sports personality Stephen A. Smith took it upon himself to come up with his own list of current players that deserve the prestigious honor. Golden State Warrios’ Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James lead the way but some of the other names may surprise you.
Stephen A. Smith names 6 players who deserve statues pic.twitter.com/ogjGfNiNcg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 5, 2024
There is no doubting Steph Curry warrants a spot on top of the list. The 35-year-old has won four NBA championships over an illustrious 15-year career with the Warriors. He is the all-time leader in three-pointers and has revolutionised the way the game is played.
Maybe the most surprising thing about Smith’s list is that he nominates LeBron James twice. Firstly, for his contribution to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he guided his boyhood team to their first NBA championship in 2016. Secondly, for the four years he spent with the Miami Heat where he led the team to two NBA titles.
Klay Thompson and Draymond Green making their way onto the list may have surprised a few people but it is hard to question their contribution to a Warriors team that has dominated the basketball landscape over the previous decade.
Finally, Milwaukee Bucks’ Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo rounds out the list of NBA players deserving of a statue. The 6’11” forward led the organization to their first championship in 50 years when he helped the Bucks defeat the Phoenix Suns in six games in 2021.
