Think You're An NBA Fan? Prove It And Name All These Players
- by Michael DeRosa
- – on
- in Sports
There is no question that the NBA is one of the most popular leagues in the entire world. With it possessing a number of extremely fantastic athletes, it should not come as a surprise to anyone. When looking at the rich history of the NBA as well, it is clear that it has always been a very entertaining league to follow. The stars of both the past and present are unlike any other, so if one is a true fan, they should have zero trouble determining who players are based on their appearances.
With all that has been stated thus far, in this quiz, the goal is name each one of the 35 players correctly. Each player that will be presented has left a major impact on the game, and this is because of the fact that they have or had accomplished an immense amount of accolades through it. If one is a true NBA fan, they should not run into any major issues when it comes to taking this quiz. At the end of the day, each and every one of these players has transformed the NBA in their own way. and due to this clear fact, they deserve the praise they all receive from true fans.
Good luck!
Who is this NBA future Hall of Famer?
This star NBA player has been a dominant force since he has entered the league. It is quite rare to see a player come straight from high school to the NBA, but he did it with ease. He would soon become the face of the franchise for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and now he is with the Los Angeles Lakers. With three championship rings, as well a number of personal accolades, it is clear that he is a true NBA future Hall of Famer. However, he still has plenty left in the tank to succeed even more, so fans should keep an eye on him.
Who is this star point guard?
This is easily one of the top point guards in the NBA at this present time. After starting his journey with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which included a championship title, he shockingly requested a trade. He had the desire to lead his own team, and he got his wish when he was moved to the Boston Celtics. He has truly blossomed into a complete player in Beantown. However, it is also important to note that he also has an expiring contract, so he could very well end up going elsewhere. However, for the time being, Boston should be quite grateful to have him.
Who is this outstanding shooter?
This undersized star seemed to come out of nowhere, but he is the primary reason why the Golden State Warriors have become a dynasty. There is no question that he is the true leader of this club, and this is quite apparent by the fact that he is beloved by the fanbase. With him still having plenty of time left in his prime, there is still a lot of time for us to be completely enamored by his outstanding shooting ability. In his short journey thus far, this star already has three NBA championships on his resume, as well as two NBA MVP awards.
Who is this legendary center?
This legendary center came into the NBA in 1992, after being drafted as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic. Although he was a star there. he would truly start finding his greatest level of play with the Los Angeles Lakers. This is where he would end up becoming an NBA champion, while tag teaming with Kobe Bryant. However, he would continue to find success elsewhere, as he would win another championship with the Miami Heat. Although injuries would end up slowing him down at the conclusion of his journey, it is clear that this star was a once in a generation talent.
Who is this controversial superstar?
This superstar began his NBA journey with the Seattle SuperSonics, before they relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Thunder, he blossomed into one of the top players in the entire league. As a result of this clear fact, the team would soon grow into contenders. However, they never seemed to be able to win and this discouraged this player. After losing to the Golden State Warriors in the postseason, this star decided to join them and leave the Thunder. This move has been heavily criticized, but he has gotten the last laugh with his two championships there thus far.
Who is this former NBA MVP?
This player has truly blossomed into a top-notch player in the NBA. After beginning his journey as a very reliable sixth man with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he grew into a superstar with the Houston Rockets. His scoring ability has reached an elite level, and this is presented by the fact that he has obtained an NBA MVP award. At the end of the day, the Oklahoma City Thunder definitely are kicking themselves for giving up on this player far too quickly. He truly has become the face of the Rocket's franchise, and is their best bet of winning a championship.
Who is this fantastic two-way player?
This player's progression was a bit slow, as he was in the shadows of players like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan is his opening years. However, he would blossom into one of the best two-way players in the game when the San Antonio Spurs gave him a larger role. He has been a consistent all-star, and is constantly praised around the league for his marvelous defense. The Spurs would end up trading him to the Toronto Raptors this past off-season though, as he made it clear that he did not wish to sign an extension there. Toronto is loving every second of him today.
Who is this NBA journeyman?
This player came into the NBA with a bang, as he would secure the starting point guard spot with the Boston Celtics during their title run. He instantly would become a star from there, and he was seen as one of the top passers in the game. However, after being traded by the Celtics at the start of their rebuild, this player has been on a number of teams, and they seem to always be short tenures. Today, he is currently on the Los Angeles Lakers, and has been praised for his leadership abilities. However, the team is struggling immensely.
Who is this amazing legend?
This player is truly a pioneer of the game, and is definitely most known for his outstanding scoring ability. This is presented in the fact that he had a 100-point game in his journey, which is something that we likely will never see again. His accomplishments as a player were also quite impressive, as he was a 14-time All-Star, as well as a two-time NBA champion. He was beloved by every team he played for, and this is entirely justifiable. There are not many players who have been able to dominate the league in the same way as this star.
Who is this six-time NBA champion?
This is a player who made it big because of his absolutely dominant defensive presence. He was truly a star from the very start of his NBA life, but he would find most of his success as a member of the Chicago Bulls. There is no question that he was one of the primary leaders of this team during their dynasty, and had they not had him, there is a very good chance that they would not have had as much success. However, when he moved on from Chicago, his numbers would never be the same, as he fell out of his prime.
Who is this Dallas Mavericks' great?
This player has been a member of the Dallas Mavericks for over twenty seasons, and as a result of this, he is their most popular player ever. Although his statistics have dropped off dramatically over the last few seasons, he was truly a star during his prime years. He is the main reason why the Mavericks would end up winning an NBA championship in 2011. As for his personal accomplishments, this legend is a 14-time NBA All-Star, as well an MVP in both the regular season and playoff. He is set to retire at the completion of this season, so it truly is the end of an era.
Who is this shoot-first point guard?
During his prime years in the NBA, this player was one of the top point guards in the NBA. What made him stand out from the rest of the pack was that he was one of the first players of that position to be known for his shot, rather than his passing skills. This would make him a fan favorite during his time with the New York Knicks. However, he would end up playing overseas when he started to diminish in skill. His journey is a bit of a strange one because although he was great at a time, it quickly went away.
Who is this former face of the franchise?
This player deserves a plethora of praise for his loyalty to the Boston Celtics. He had numerous opportunities to leave them during their years in the basement of the league, but he chose to stay there because he desperately wanted to bring greatness back to a struggling franchise. This would end up finally occurring in 2008, after the team brought in some star players to help him out. The team decided to part ways with him near the end of his journey, however, as they started a youth movement. At the end of the day, his Boston tenure will be forever what people remember.
Who is this dominating small forward?
This absolute superstar is the main reason why the Milwaukee Bucks are heading into the right direction, Ever since his arrival with the team, he has been one of the best small forwards in the NBA. There is no question that he is on the verge of becoming a franchise legend with the team, and it is important to note that he is still extremely young. At the end of the day, this is a player that truly has the whole package, and if he continues to play at this rate, there is a very solid chance that he will be a Hall of Famer down the line.
Who is this outspoken star?
This player made a plethora of noise this off-season when he demanded a trade out of Minnesota. He notoriously held out from the team, but showed up to practice one day and completely annihilated the starting lineup in a scrimmage. His attitude towards the team and management has given him a bad reputation throughout the league, and to be entirely honest, this is justifiable. However, the Philadelphia 76ers made the right call bringing him, as he is helping them out immensely. At the end of the day, this is a player with behavioral issues, but he is seriously a top-notch player.
Who is this fiesty defender?
The Golden State Warriors are a dynasty for a reason, and that is because of their extremely strong starting lineup. This player, in particular, plays a major role in their success, as he is truly their best defensive player. He is definitely one of the modern villains of the NBA. as he is extremely difficult to play against with his gritty style. However, the Warriors definitely enjoy this element of his game. as it has made him a perennial NBA All-Star. This is a player that the team definitely needs to lock up long-term, as his role there is massive.
Who is this all-time great?
This player is easily one of the greatest players to ever enter the NBA, but a major flaw in his resume is that he has never won a championship. However, his individual accomplishments are extremely impressive, and are truly a rarity in the game. With 14 NBA All-Star appearances and two MVP awards, this player was a very dominant force in the league for a number of years. His success as a player also made the Utah Jazz a relevant club in the league. At the end of the day, he truly can be deemed as one of the best all-around players ever.
Who is this legendary bigman?
The Boston Celtics have the most NBA championships out of any team in the league, and this player had an important role in that. During his 14-year NBA journey, he would lead the Celtics to three NBA championships. That statistic is very impressive, as the league was far more balanced at that time. This player also had an immense amount of success in the league because of both his offensive contributions, as well as his strength in the defensive side of the game. With him being an NBA All-Star in just about every season he played, it is clear that he was something special.
Who is this aging former NBA star?
When this player entered the NBA, he was easily one of the best shooters in the entire league. He became the face of the Denver Nuggets, and it seemed like he was going to lead them to the promised land. However, it would end up not working out there, and he would go on to sign a monster contract with the New York Knicks. Everything seemed to fall apart within New York for him, since he has left there, he has not been able to find a steady job. After a poor stint in Houston, this player is a free agent, and his NBA life is in jeopardy.
Who is this Miami Heat legend?
Once the Miami Heat drafted this player, they set themselves up for a truly great period of success. As soon as he arrived, he became one of the top players in the NBA. His impact was felt quickly, as he would lead the team to a championship in 2006. His success would carry over for a number of years, and alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh, he would help the team retrieve two more championships. He would leave Miami temporarily for very short stints in Chicago and Cleveland, but today, he is back on the team in his final season.
Who is this former #1 draft pick?
This player was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers with the first overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft. There were extremely high hopes that he was going to be the next giant star of the league, as he had an amazing collegiate journey with Ohio State. However, injuries would completely derail his progression, and inevitably his entire NBA life. He would be given another chance to shine with the stacked Miami Heat in 2013, but alas, it just was not meant to be for him. He officially retired in 2016, after playing a year of basketball overseas with the Jiangsu Dragons.
Who is this 15-time All-Star?
There is no question that the San Antonio Spurs were easily one of the best and most consistent teams in the NBA for a number of years. This is largely because of this absolutely outstanding power forward. Upon being the first overall selection of the 1997 draft, this player's impact was felt immensely around the league. Aside from being a 15-time NBA All-Star, he led the Spurs to five NBA Championships, and was a two-time NBA MVP. At the end of the day, it is hard to find a player with as hefty of a resume as this amazing player.
Who is this NBA great?
It is truly challenging to find a player who was as lethal as this player offensively in the history of the NBA. After being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft, this player would end up being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers before even suiting up for a game. This trade would essentially save the Lakers, as he would end up being their leader for two decades. In his illustrious journey, this player won five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award and was an 18-time NBA All-Star. All in all, that is not too shabby of a resume.
Who is this fantastic passer?
For a point guard in the NBA to succeed, they should have the ability to make smart and effective passes. This player not only followed this requirement, but he completely dominated it. He easily can be deemed as one of the best passers in the history of the NBA. This can be evidenced by the fact that he is a two-time NBA MVP. It is a bit disappointing that he was never able to bring an NBA championship to his list of accomplishments, but that should not take away from his overall success. This is seen by the fact that he is in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Who is this giant?
The Houston Rockets struck gold when they drafted this superstar with the 1st overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft. Internationally, he had already been dominant and was clearly ready to play professionally in the best basketball league in the world. This would be made quite apparent by his eight NBA All-Star appearances, as well as being a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. It is a shame that his NBA journey was cut short due to injuries because he could have been able to accomplish so much more. However, in just a decade in the NBA, he clearly left a major impact.
Who is this Timberwolves' great?
In 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves would draft this player with the fifth overall pick, and he would become the greatest player to ever wear that jersey. Although he would never win a championship there, he easily became one of the top talents in the league. He would go on to win an NBA MVP award in Minnesota, and would make it to countless All-Star games. However, with the team in a rebuilding phase, they opted to trade him to the Boston Celtics, and he would end up winning a championship there. Thankfully, however, he would finish his journey back in Minnesota.
Who is this legendary Laker?
There is no question that the Los Angeles Lakers have had a plethora of outstanding basketball players in their illustrious history. However, it is fair to state that none match up to the immense amount of talent that this superstar possessed. During his prime years in the league, it was extremely hard to name a player who was better than him. He would go on to win five championships in Los Angeles, as well as the NBA MVP award on three occasions. Keep in mind that this player's NBA stint was also cut short due to his devastating HIV diagnosis. However, he would come back five years after retiring for one last season.
Who is this disgruntled All-Star?
This player was drafted with the first overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. In his NBA journey thus far, he has been pretty spectacular on a team that has been rather lackluster. However, it is clear that his patience has run out, as this season he has requested a trade from them. When seeing how he is already a six-time All-Star at such a young age, the Pelicans are going to end up getting a huge package in return for him. The question is, where will this immensely talented player end up being dealt to?
Who is this recently traded superstar?
When this player was drafted fifth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, it was met with an abundance of criticism. Many people, especially New York Knicks' fans, were extremely anxious over the massive gamble of this pick. However, he would end up becoming the face of the franchise in a short time frame. This season was a big one, as the team's primary goal was to extend him to a long-term contract. However, there were far too many disagreements over the direction of the team, so they opted to trade him to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster. This could be a massive mistake from them when looking at this player's skill.
Who is this infamous bust?
The Washington Wizards thought that they had struck gold when they drafted this player number one overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. He would end up being the first high school player to ever be drafted at that spot, so there were very high expectations of him becoming a superstar. When seeing how dominant he was in high school, this made a lot of sense. However, his skill level could not carry over to the NBA, and he never got close to becoming the star that many envisioned him to become. With that being said, he is clearly one of the biggest busts ever.
Who is this recently extended star?
This player would begin his career with the Indiana Pacers, and it seemed clear that he was going to save them from mediocrity. There is no question that he would end up doing so, as he would turn them into playoff contenders, but they never had the ability to turn into champions. With this player growing frustrated with the team, they shipped him off to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has since signed an extension, and appears to be devoted to bringing them a championship. With the all-star cast around him, he definitely is going to continue to thrive as a superstar.
Who is this all-time NBA legend?
This player is a transformative player, as he would bring leaping dunks to the NBA. He is easily known as one of the greatest players of all-time, and this is largely because of his offensive abilities. This would lead to him obtaining a plethora of personal achievements, which include an NBA MVP award. He also was born to be a winner, as he won two ABA championships, as well an NBA title. At the end of the day, it is quite apparent that this is a player who was the complete package. These type of players are extremely hard to come by.
Who is this growing superstar?
This player was drafted first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, but sadly was not able to partake in the 2016-17 season due to injury. This would lead to NBA analysts questioning his ability to compete in the league. However, in the following season, he proved all his doubters wrong, and would manage to win Rookie of the Year honors. This season has been even better for the youngster, and this is evidenced by the fact that he made his first All-Star game. The future appears to be very bright for this youngster, as well as Philly.
Who is former superstar?
The Philadelphia 76ers made the pick of a lifetime when they took this player with the fifth overall selection of the 1984 NBA Draft. From the very start of his career, he would prove to management that they made the right choice, as he was a legitimate superstar. He would also have an abundance of success playing for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets during the second half of his career. He would go on to be an NBA Most Valuable Player and 11-time All-Star, but he sadly failed to bring home a championship to his truly magnificent NBA resume.
Who is this legendary depth player?
Late second-round picks do not tend to develop into top notch NBA players, but this player went against that notion. This player would go on to be the necessary depth piece during the San Antonio Spurs' dynasty. His clutch shooting would quickly make him one of the most beloved players on the team, and this is entirely justifiable. He would end up being named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, as well as a two-time All-Star. At the end of the day, it is quite apparent that the Spurs ended up getting a lot out of this gamble pick.