NBA-My Favorite Players Part II

By: Greg Rector

So yesterday I put together my list of my top NBA players for the first 15 teams in the NBA and I am using my 50 years of watching NBA games to determine “My Favorite Players” for each NBA squad.

Milwaukee Bucks

Not taking Giannis or any other current Bucks player. I’m taking Terry Cummings from Depaul University. For my money, I loved watching Cummings play basketball

He was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he would continue to post above 20 points and 8 rebound averages for four out of his five years on the team.

In the 1985 NBA playoffs, Cummings (29.5 points) averaged more points than then-rookie Michael Jordan (29.3 points) in a 3–1 series victory for Milwaukee. The only time MJ was outscored by anyone in his playoff career.

Cummings entered the league with the San Diego Clippers and won the Rookie of the Year award in the 1982-1983 season. It was with the Milwaukee Bucks though where I appreciated his work on the floor. I loved watching him at Depaul as well. In 18 seasons, Cummings scored 19,460 points, placing him 57th on the list of NBA all-time regular-season scoring leaders.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Well, he might not be a fan favorite after he left Minnesota because he ended up as a Boston Celtic but if you’re not old enough to remember this tall kid who came out of high school and entered the NBA you missed out on seeing Kevin Garnett who is easily my top choice as my favorite player who ever wore a Timberwolves uniform.

Garnett was simply special to watch play. The “big ticket” was just so good as a power forward especially for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2004, he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals and won the NBA MVP Award. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-2008

Garnett was simply magnificent for 12 seasons with the Timberwolves.

New Orleans Pelicans

There’s only one choice for me with the New Orleans Pelicans and that’s Chris Paul. CP3 was of course a Rookie of the Year winner as well as bringing the newly found Pelicans franchise instant respectability. Chris Paul was simply the best player to ever wear a New Orleans Pelicans uniform.

New York Knicks

Well, this time I am not going with Patrick Ewing sorry Joe. My favorite New York Knicks player goes way back in time for most of y’all. Walter “Clyde” Frazier was always someone I admired from the time I first started watching NBA basketball games. As their floor general and top perimeter defender, he led the New York Knicks to the franchise’s only two championships (1970 and 1973). The “Clyde” came into being since he wore a fedora like Warren Beatty did in his movie Bonnie and Clyde.

Frazier was the highlight man for those Knicks teams that won the two world titles.

Oklahoma City Thunder

This organization of course was the Seattle SuperSonics and that for me was Jack Sikma who was my favorite SuperSonics player. However, since we’re dealing with the Oklahoma City version of this NBA franchise my favorite OKC Thunder player has to be Kevin Durant. Durant is such a pure scorer of the ball that he is so easy to watch. Durant was always a great scorer and besides the fact they have never won an NBA title the Thunder landed Durant and we all know his story.

Orlando Magic

There is only one choice for the Orlando Magic. The 7’1″ center from Louisiana State University Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq made life easier for the young Magic organization. We all know his storied career especially when he played elsewhere other than Orlando. But when the big man hit the floor for the Magic he was terrifying.

Philadelphia 76ers

Not Joel Embid, not any other great 76ers player touches Julius Erving the Doctor is my choice as my favorite Sixers player. Long before MJ, it was watching Julius Erving leap through the air that had me spellbound. Seeing Dr. J fly around the floor was just an incredible experience. Even when the Sixers won the World Title against my Lakers in 1983 it was a joyous event seeing Julius Erving win an NBA title.

Phoenix Suns

For my money, I have to select Kevin Johnson as my favorite player for the Phoenix Suns. 12 great seasons with the Phoenix Suns and he was so good as a defender and as a point guard for the Suns. When Johnson outplayed Magic Johnson in the 1990 playoffs he was just incredible to watch. The Suns beat a Lakers squad 4 games to one who had won 63 games Over the last two games, Johnson closed out the series by averaging 33.5 points and a dozen assists as the Suns won both Game Four and Game Five, with K.J. vastly outplaying Magic Johnson in the fourth quarter of both contests.

Portland Trail Blazers

This isn’t anyone else’s opinion I’m certain since almost everyone is such a big fan of Damian Lillard. Now don’t get me wrong here I do enjoy seeing Lillard play the game. However, being the old guy I am going with Bill Walton who was so dominant for the Trail Blazers when I was a youngster. Walton of course is mostly known for his TV commentary. His play through his injuries was elite and he led the Trail Blazers to the World Title way back in 1977. His career at UCLA is legendary as well.

Sacramento Kings

Most would say Chris Webber here. Not me though I select Vlade Divac as my favorite Kings player. Divac was of course a former Lakers center but it was with the Sacramento Kings where he played so well and fought to bring the Kings to being a respected franchise where I just felt he was so vital to the franchise.

San Antonio Spurs

The NBA franchise in San Antonio has had several great players. For me, no one will touch Tim Duncan in the storied history of the Spurs. Ever since he debuted for the Spurs I was always amazed at how sound Tim Duncan played basketball. As much of a fan as I was with George Gervin in an earlier era Tim Duncan was so outstanding that this is an easy choice for me.

Toronto Raptors

This isn’t Vince Carter or Kawhi Leonard. My favorite Toronto Raptors player is Kyle Lowry. Lowry delivered the title in 2019. His play was always guided by his Philadelphia upbringing and when he won the title with the Raptors in 2019he was forever etched in my mind as the best Raptors player ever. See the look on Kyle’s face? That’s the look he would give opponents and against the referees as well.

Utah Jazz

The likes of John Stockton and Karl Malone of course come to mind. The player for me isn’t either a long-time superstar. For me, it was Adrain Dantley. Dantley was a tremendous scorer and was fun to watch play basketball.

Washington Wizards

Sorry, but I preferred the Washington Bullets teams, especially in the late 70s. So my favorite Washington player is Elvin Hayes. Hayes was a monster of a man who might have only been 6’9″ but he could guard any center in the league back in those days.