Every NBA Team's Mount Rushmore: Western Conference

Zak Drapeau
Apr 26
13 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Joel Piton

Sportz Nation - 4/24/2026

The Western Conference is full of icons. From dynasties in Los Angeles and Golden State to individual legends who put smaller markets on the map, the West is loaded with names that shaped the game. In terms of impact, who affected the game, and the way fans remember a team, the West have the East beat. So after breaking down every Eastern Conference team’s Mount Rushmore, we’re shifting over to the other side of the league. Here is every Western Conference NBA team’s Mount Rushmore.

Also check out our full list of NBA Mount Rushmore's: Eastern Conference here!

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic (G)
Mark Aguirre (F)
Rolando Blackman(F)
Dirk Nowitzki (F)

Mavericks fans may be cringing but yes, Luka Doncic belongs on your Mount Rushmore. Six and a half seasons including a Finals appearance in 2024, Doncic was a superstar and a leader from Day 1 until his infamous trade to LA.

Mark Aguirre to this day ranks 3rd in Dallas' history in points and Top-10 in rebounds. When the Mavericks became an expansion team in 1980, Aguirre led them for their first decade including to multiple playoffs and a Conference Finals appearance in 1988.

While Rolando Blackman was never an All-Pro, he was an iron man for the Mavericks for 11 seasons. Top-5 in Mavericks history in Points and Games and Top-10 in Rebounds and Assists, Blackman was right there with Aguirre in the 80's but with more consistency.

Now we get to Dirk Nowitzki, who probably means more to the Mavericks than any one payer has ever meant to a franchise. Franchise leader in almost everything and leader of perhaps the greatest Championship run ever in 2011, Dirk Nowitzki IS the Mavericks.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Denver Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony (F)
Alex English (F)
Nikola Jokic (F)
Dan Issel (C)

A young Carmelo Anthony in Denver was one of the best scorers we've ever seen. Without the team success, Anthony's time in Denver will always underrated but as an athlete and a marquee attraction, Melo was the face of the league and the Nuggets for almost a decade.

Long before Melo made the Nuggets cool, Alex English was the man of the 80's. A tall forward with a beautiful jump shot, English was one of the top scorers of the 80's and bought them to 9 straight playoff berths along with the big guy Dan Issel. Issel was a 21 and 9 guy that overlapped with English for the first half of the 90's. Issel even brought the Nuggets to the final ABA Championship in 1976.

Finally, the newest and maybe best face of this franchise is Nikola Jokic. A 3-time MVP and NBA Champion, Jokic has not only led his team for the last 7 seasons but has actually redefined the game as far as what big men can do.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Golden State Warriors

Steph Curry (G)
Klay Thompson (G)
Chris Mullin (F)
Rick Barry (F)

The Warriors had one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history in the late 2010's but surprisingly, besides Draymond as an honorable mention we only have 2 of them on the list.

Curry and Thompson were definitely making the list as the Splash Bros changed the game on their way to winning 4 NBA titles.

Chris Mullin was an unsung hero for the team in the 90's and one the best shooters the game's ever seen. With 5 seasons in a row over 25 points per game to start the decade as the one of the league's first premier 3-point shooters, Mullin layed the groundwork for the dynasty that followed 2 decades later.

Then there's Rick Barry, who would bring the Warriors to prominence for the first time in the 70's until Mullin took over. As a big and agile Forward, Barry was ahead of his time and a 3-tim All Pro and 5 time All Star on the Warriors.

HM: Draymond Green, Nate Thurmond

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Houston Rockets

James Harden (G)
Hakeem Olajuwon (C)
Moses Malone (C)
Yao Ming (C)

Hakeem isn't just the greatest Rocket, he's possibly the most skilled big man to ever touch the rock. His Dream Shake was unguardable, and he is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. A back-to-back champ, Hakeem is first in points, rebounds and steals for Houston and the NBA's All-Time leading shot blocker. From 2012 to 2020, "The Beard" provided an offensive peak that we may never see again. His step-back three and isolation scoring made the NBA literally re-write the rulebooks, and his 60-point triple-double remains one of the most absurd statistical lines in league history. A three-time NBA scoring champ, an MVP and literal walking bucket, it's going to be a while before we see offensive production like this again.

Moses Malone was a beast that took a 40-42 Rockets team all the way to the 1981 NBA Finals through sheer willpower. A 2x MVP, Malone was Bill Russell 2.0 and the best center in the league while Kareem adjusted to the gold and purple. Then there's Yao Ming—the Great Wall. Standing 7'6" with the touch of a shooting guard and the footwork of a forward, Yao was a true anomaly. Beyond the court, he bridged the gap between the NBA and China, but purely as a player, he was a nightmare to guard. He was an All-Star every season he was healthy and while injuries cut his career short, his peak performance was that of a top-tier Hall of Famer.

HM: Elvin Hayes

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul (G)
Blake Griffin (F)
Elton Brand (F)
DeAndre Jordan (C)

From one dynasty to a... different one, the Clippers had their own lightning in a bottle around the same time as the Warriors. Lob City wasn't only CP3 and Blake Griffin although they were the headlines. Chris Paul came over from the Hornets and immediately became the leader on and off the court as on of the greatest Point Guards of all time.

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were the backbone of Lob City and the marquee attractions. From posters to that look on DeAndre's face... these two may not have won but they definitely marked the high point of this organization.

Finally, Elton Brand may not be the top pick when you think of the Clippers' organization but the fans will agree. A staple for the Clippers during the 2000's, Brand was 18 and 10 a night for almost the full decade during a time when the Clippers were atrocious.

HM: Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson (G)
Kobe Bryant (G)
Jerry West (G)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C)

HM: Shaquille O'Neal, Elgin Baylor

The Greatest Franchise in Basketball history and the best Mount Rushmore in NBA history, (coming from a Lakers fan) the Lakers are and always will be Showtime.

Magic and Kareem won 5 in the 80's so they're on here and Kobe won 5 in the 2000's so he is too. Even though Shaq won 3 as well, we decided to get the Logo as the final piece who brought the first Finals trophy to Los Angeles. All 4 of these men are synonymous with the game in some way and make up the storied legacy of the Lakers.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley (G)
Zach Randolph (F)
Pau Gasol (F)
Marc Gasol (C)

Mike Conley was the bridge between every Memphis era and likely the greatest Grizzly of all time. The best non-All-Star in the league by far before finally getting the nod, Conley first in points, assists, steals, threes and games played for Memphis. Marc Gasol evolved from "Pau's little brother" into a standout of his own, developing into a defensive standout with superb IQ and the NBA's respective DPOY. First in rebounds and blocks, Marc even developed the three-point jumper later. But before Marc, Pau is the man who put Memphis on the NBA map. A now Hall-of-Famer, Pau was a 7-footer who moved like a guard with elite footwork, had an unguardable mid-range jumper and a high-level passing game. He took a struggling expansion team and made them a playoff team. Zach Randolph was the soul of Memphis. He arrived with a troublesome reputation and ended up becoming the city's favorite son. You couldn't move him. He lived on the offensive glass and had a soft touch around the rim that was impossible to guard 1-on-1. He literally gave the Grizzlies their "Grit and Grind" identity.

HM: Tony Allen

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards (G)
Kevin Love (F)
Kevin Garnett (F)
Karl Anthony-Towns (C)

While most of these teams have a storied legacy and one or two guys before the 80's, the Timberwolves are all about youth. Garnett and Love held it down in the 90's and 2000's with a similar style. Rebounding and defense were the name of the game especially for Garnett, who almost right out of high school became a 25 and 12 guy as did Kevin Love only 10 years later.

Karl-Anthony Towns was the next mold of the Wolves' big guy and pretty much picked up where they left off. Eventually traded to New York after years of injuries, KAT started the Wolves down the path that Ant has kept them on.

Ant Edwards is on his way to surpassing Garnett as the team's GOAT and may already be the most exciting. His blend of attitude, athleticism and drive at only 24 years old seems ready to bring the Timberwolves to the Finals for the franchise's first time ever.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

New Orleans Pelicans

Chris Paul (G)
Jrue Holiday (G)
David West (F)
Anthony Davis (F)

Chris Paul is one of only 5 people to be on 2 different Mt Rushmores and he deserved it, at a time when the team was in the middle of speculation and turmoil, Paul willed his team to multiple playoff berths along with his best option David West. West took a while to come into his own in New Orleans but when he started dropping 20 and 8 this team was at it's peak.

When the team moved from Charlotte to New Orleans, Jrue Holiday came to town and then the Franchise's new cornerstone Anthony Davis. Jrue Holiday was an unspoken hero as a 19 and 7 guy but his defense and leadership opened the door for a guy like Davis.

As the biggest prospect in the league since Lebron, Davis was instantly a superstar and stat sheet stuffer for the Pelicans. His time was cut short with a move to LA much to fans dismay but there's no debating that The Brow was this franchise's greatest player ever.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (G)
Russell Westbrook (G)
Gary Payton (G)
Kevin Durant (F)

I made a comment in the last article about how the 76ers may have the best Group of 4 in a streetball game but I have to say the Thunder would probably be my pick now. SGA may be the youngest member of this list but as an MVP and champion last year and maybe again this year I had to include him.

Durant may not have endeared himself to fans after leaving for Golden State but his legacy is unquestioned there as an MVP and multiple time scoring champ. Gary Payton was the leader in the days of the SuperSonics and even brought his franchise to their first Finals appearance and 9 all defensive first teams.

Then we have Westbrook who bleeds Thunder blue even to this day. His legacy of 11 seasons, his Triple-Double, MVP season and the memories he made from savage dunks to game winners will be a part of Thunder-lore forever.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash (G)
Devin Booker (G)
Kevin Johnson (G)
Charles Barkley (F)

Barkley was the ultimate alpha in the 90's as well as the Suns MVP, and he rewrote the culture in just four seasons. He was an All-Star every year and led the Suns to a Finals face-off against Michael Jordan. A rebounding phenom who could score from anywhere, Barkley's peak in a Suns jersey was astronomical. Devin Booker, who seems to be more devoted to Phoenix than any other player in history, has been a walking bucket for the entirety of his career. He became the Suns leading scorer in his mid-twenties, has endured through both lottery and playoff seasons, and is a complete, elite three-level scorer you rarely find.

Kevin Johnson was the athletic engine of the Suns' 90's run. He was one of the first true point guards who could effortlessly drop 20 points, dish out 10+ assists, and jump out the gym, notably dunking on a seven-foot Hakeem. The only Sun who ended up being a batter passer than him was none other than: Steve Nash. Nash was a two-time MVP who completely revolutionized the sport of basketball, paving the way for the pace-and-space era we see today. He is first in franchise assists by a mile and the definitive face of 2000s Phoenix basketball.

HM: Amar'e Stoudemire, Walter Davis

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard (G)
Clyde Drexler (G)
LaMarcus Aldridge (F)
Bill Walton (C)

The greatest shooter and most cold-blooded clutch performer in franchise history, Lillard embraced Portland's small market identity and has been the city's heartbeat since 2012. His series-ending logo three against OKC might be the most iconic moment in franchise history. First in points and threes and second in assists, Dame is an athletic three level point guard who found his way into the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. Before Dame, Clyde was the undisputed King. He was an athletic marvel who went toe to toe with MJ and led the Blazers to two finals appearances. As for Bill Walton, his peak was short due to foot injuries, but it was the highest peak any Blazer has ever reached. Walton was a passing savant from the post and a defensive wall. He's the only reason there's a championship banner hanging in the Moda Center rafters right now. An MVP and a Finals MVP, Walton played just 209 games for Portland, but his impact remains legendary. LaMarcus Aldridge provided the league's best mid-range jumper for a good stretch (yes, I say this confidently over the likes of Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant). He was the bridge between the Brandon Roy era and the Damian Lillard era, a four-time All Star, and had Hall-of-Fame footwork in the post.

HM: Terry Porter, Kiki Vandeweghe

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker (G)
George Gervin (G)
Tim Duncan (C)
David Robinson (C)

Duncan was the rare superstar who redefined the word through ZERO ego and historical efficiency. He was a master of the bank shot and anchored the best defense in the league for nearly two decades. A 5x Champion and a two-time MVP, Duncan is first in points, rebounds, blocks and games played for the Spurs, and is hailed as the greatest power forward to ever do it. The Admiral was a physical marvel—a 7-foot center with the speed of a guard and the physique of a Greek god. Beyond his athleticism, his character defines his legacy; not only did he blow Spurs fans out of the water suiting up directly after serving in the Navy, but he stepped aside when it was time and molded Duncan into a legend in the greatest passing of the torch in sports history.

Gervin was the coldest man in the building. He turned scoring into an art form with his finger roll and helped bridge the gap between the NBA and ABA. A four time scoring champ and a twelve time All-Star, Gervin made the Spurs "must see TV". Tony Parker brought a European flair to the NBA, using elite speed and his patented tear drop floater to dismantle defenses. He went from a 19-year-old kid Gregg Popovich almost traded to a Finals MVP who spearheaded the most efficient offense in basketball.

HM: Manu Ginobili

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Sacramento Kings

Oscar Robertson (G)
Nate Archibald (G)
Jack Twyman (F)
Chris Webber (F)

Oscar was decades ahead of his time. He was a 6'5" point guard who could out-rebound centers and out-score wings. He was the first player to ever average a triple-double for an entire season and the standard for a do-it-all player. First in points, rebounds, and assists, the franchise is his. C-Webb was the ultimate power forward, a dazzling passer out of the post with elite athleticism and a smooth jumper. A 4-time All-Star with Sacramento, he led the Kings to the 2002 Western Conference Finals. At just 6'1" and 150 pounds, Tiny Archibald was an unstoppable offensive engine. n 1972–73, he became the only player in NBA history to lead the league in both scoring (34.0 PPG) and assists (11.4 APG) in the same season. As for Jack Twyman? You may not have heard of the guy, but he was a bucket. He was the second player in history to ever average 30 points per game in a season. Off the court, he's remembered as one of the game's greatest humanitarians for becoming the legal guardian of his paralyzed teammate, Maurice Stokes, to care for him—which led to the Twyman-Stokes award.

HM: Mitch Richmond, DeMarcus Cousins

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Utah Jazz

Pete Maravich (G)
John Stockton (G)
Adrian Dantley (F)
Karl Malone (F)

A point-gawd, Stockton played all 19 of his seasons in Utah and became the blueprint for playmaking. He didn't need to jump high or run fast; he out-thought everyone. His chemistry with Malone in the pick-and-roll is legendary. He sits first in assists and steals not just in Utah Jazz history, but in NBA history. And if Stockton was the engine, Malone was the truck. His combination of a massive, physical frame and a soft mid-range jumper. He was an iron man who rarely missed games and dominated for nearly two decades. A 2x time MVP and a 14x All-Star, some fans have Malone as the greatest power-forward of all time.

But before the Stockton-to-Malone era, there was Adrian Dantley. He was a pure bucket-getter during the late '70s and early '80s, could score from anywhere and was an athletic anomaly. The guy averaged 29 points a night in Utah and was the NBA's scoring champ right before Jordan took over. As for Pistol Pete? He was decades ahead of his time. His flashy passing, deep range (before the 3-point line existed), and showtime play made him the most entertaining player of his era bar-none.

HM: Rudy Gobert

Which of these Rushmores shocked you the most? And what will they look like a decade from now? Does Wemby overtake Tony Parker? Does Luka creep past the logo? Let's wait and see.

The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs are officially underway 🚨 Can't keep up with the games? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.

Thanks for reading!

-Z.D. , J.P.