Basketball history is a long, storied book, but we often trip over our own feet trying to define legacy. To me, there’s a massive difference between being the Best (the absolute peak of talent and physical dominance) and being the Greatest (the heart, the soul, and the cultural impact of a city).
I’ve gone through all 30 franchises to separate the 'stat-sheet gods' from the 'franchise icons.' Some of these picks might sting—especially for my OKC and Phoenix fans—but they’re rooted in a deep respect for what these guys did on the hardwood.
Here is WiltTheGOAT's list of the "Best" vs the "Greatest" Players for every team. I already know this is going to cause uproar in the comments, so let me know which ones you would like to debate. Thank you.
Please like and flame, and let us get into it.
NBA Franchise: Best vs Greatest Picks
Atlanta Hawks: Best: Pettit | Greatest: Wilkins
Boston Celtics: Best: Bird | Greatest: Russell
Brooklyn Nets: Best: Dr. J | Greatest: Dr. J
Charlotte Hornets: Best: Rice | Greatest: Kemba
Chicago Bulls: Best/Greatest: Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers: Best/Greatest: LeBron
Dallas Mavericks: Best/Greatest: Nowitzki
Denver Nuggets: Best/Greatest: Jokic
Detroit Pistons: Best: Hill | Greatest: Laimbeer
Golden State Warriors: Best: Wilt | Greatest: Steph
Houston Rockets: Best/Greatest: Hakeem
Indiana Pacers: Best: PG Greatest: Miller
LA Clippers: Best: Kawhi | Greatest: Griffin
LA Lakers: Best: Magic | Greatest: Kobe
Memphis Grizzlies: Best: Pau | Greatest: Randolph
Miami Heat: Best: LeBron | Greatest: Wade
Milwaukee Bucks: Best: Kareem | Greatest: Giannis
Minnesota Timberwolves: Best/Greatest: Garnett
New Orleans Pelicans: Best: AD | Greatest: CP3
New York Knicks: Best: Frazier | Greatest: Ewing
OKC Thunder: Best: SGA | Greatest: Westbrook
Orlando Magic: Best: Shaq | Greatest: Howard
Philadelphia 76ers: Best: Wilt | Greatest: Dr. J
Phoenix Suns: Best: Barkley | Greatest: Nash
Portland Trail Blazers: Best: Drexler | Greatest: Dame
Sacramento Kings: Best/Greatest: Oscar Robertson
San Antonio Spurs: Best/Greatest: Duncan
Seattle SuperSonics (as per u/demarisbest's request): Best/Greatest: Payton
Toronto Raptors: Best: Kawhi | Greatest: Carter
Utah Jazz: Best/Greatest: Malone
Washington Wizards: Best: Hayes | Greatest: Unseld