NBA Teams' Mount Rushmores: Eastern Conference

Zak Drapeau
23 hours ago
11 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Joel Piton

Sportz Nation - 4/19/2026

Graphic by Comet Sports via cometonline.com

Every franchise has its icons, and legacy in the NBA is a brutal conversation. Great stats are nice. All-Star appearances help. But Mount Rushmore status? That’s different. That’s reserved for the players who literally became the franchise—the ones who switched up the culture, won over cities, made themselves impossible to erase from team history, and actually compelled you boot up your TV and watch them play late night with work the next day. So for the Eastern Conference, we’re taking on the impossible task of narrowing every team’s story down to four names: the pillars, the icons, the faces that still hang over the franchise long after their playing careers.

Atlanta Hawks

Photo by Charles Cherney/ Associated Press

Trae Young (G)
Dominique Wilkins (F)
Bob Petit (F)
Lou Hudson (F)

The Hawks are one of Basketball's oldest Franchises and even if their hall of fame isn't as legendary as others, it may be one of the most underappreciated. Starting with Trae Young who may not have won much in Atlanta, but gave them 25 and 10 a night for 8 seasons when the franchise may have been at it's lowest.

Then there's Dominique, probably the most iconic Hawk of all time and the Franchise leader of almost all offensive statistics. 'Nique would also bring his team to the Playoffs 8 of his 11 seasons in Atlanta and average 26 points per game battling in the East.

Bob Petit and Lou Hudson are 2 of the oldest names you'll see on this entire list, Petit playing in Atlanta from '55-'65 and Hudson immediately taking over from '67 to '77. Petit would be the inaugural NBA MVP and then again in 1959 while winning the only Championship in the team's history in 1959. Hudson was a 6-time all star and was a walking bucket in the era after Petit left that kept the team from falling apart.

Brooklyn Nets

Jason Kidd (G)
Julius Erving (F)
Buck Williams (F)
Brook Lopez (C)

No player changed the franchise's culture more than Kidd. He arrived in 2001 and immediately turned a 26-win team into a 52-win Finals contender. His vision and transition passing made "New Jersey" a destination for the first time in the NBA era.

Dr. J was the glue throughout the NBA-ABA merger, was the biggest star in basketball, and made the Nets "must-watch TV" with his above the rim play.

Buck Williams is a name that you don't hear often today, but he was one of the premier forwards in the East for a decade and led the Nets to five-straight playoff appearances.

As for Brook Lopez, he was the easiest lock. The guy remains the Nets all-time leading scorer and he did it way before he adapted the three-point jumper.

HM: Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson

Boston Celtics

John Havlicek (F)
Paul Pierce (F)
Larry Bird (F)
Bill Russell (C)

So many greats have suited up in green over the years, making this insanely tough to call, but it comes down to winning. Hondo was the Celtics' Iron Man, played all 48 minutes, had seemingly infinite stamina, and could score from anywhere, remaining the Celtics' all time leading scorer 60 years later with over 26,000 points.

As for "The Truth", Pierce's footwork, rhythm, and a deadly elbow jumper were impossible to stop. He stayed loyal through the franchise's darkest times and brought them to the promised land in year ten.

Larry Bird's combination of lethal shooting, elite passing, and trash talk (backed with confidence) brought unmatchable hype to the NBA in the 1980s, and he remains the last player in history to win three straight MVP awards.

As for the late, great Bill Russell, he remains the most decorated winner in North American sports history with 11 NBA Championships in 13 seasons. Not too shabby.

HM: Jayson Tatum, Bob Cousy

Charlotte Hornets

Kemba Walker (G)
Dell Curry (G)
Glen Rice (F)
Al Jefferson (C)

Cardiac Kemba might just be Charlotte's GOAT, carrying the team through some of its leanest years with a smile and a lethal step-back jumper. He sits number one all time in points, assists, threes and minutes played

Before Walker just about every offensive record imaginable belonged to Dell Curry. Known for his lightning-quick release (that he generously passed down to his sons), he spent 10 years in Charlotte as one of the league's premier three-point shooters and ranks first in games played.

As for Glen Rice, his journey through Charlotte was short but lethal. He played three seasons for the Hornets, was an All-Star in each one, led the team to 50+ wins and earned two All-NBA nods.

Big Al Jefferson was virtually a time-traveler and had some of the best footwork you'd see out of a big man in the 2010s, putting up 22 points and 10 boards a night at his peak while forcing a squad that broke records as the "worst team of all time" into the playoffs.

Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan (G)
Derrick Rose (G)
Scottie Pippen (F)
Artis Gilmore (C)

We thought about having Michael Jordan on this list 4 times and calling it day but brighter heads prevailed. The best basketball player of all time, Jordan's statistics, accomplishments and legacy are readily available.

Scottie Pippen will sometimes be glanced over however and is one of the most underrated players in history. While Jordan was dropping 30 a night in the 90s, Scottie was grabbing boards, locking up the best player on the other team and was the necessary #2 to Jordan and crucial to the Bulls' 6 rings.

Derrick Rose only played 4 healthy-ish seasons with the Bulls but man... you had to be there. His Torn ACL remains one of Basketball's biggest "What Ifs" and his 2011 MVP remains as the youngest winner of the award. The most exciting and explosive Guard we've ever seen in the league's history.

Finally, Artis Gilmore rounds up this stacked mountain as the Bulls' all time big man. He played in Chicago in his age 27 to 33 seasons and would carry the team until Jordan got there with 19 and 11 a night.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving (G)
Mark Price (G)
LeBron James (F)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (C)

The hometown kid who fulfilled a 52-year-old promise, LeBron James is the franchise. He led Cleveland to its only NBA title, orchestrated the greatest comeback in Finals history (down 3-1), and put the city on the global map. He also ranks first in just about every statistic—points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Say what you want about Kyrie's ups and downs, but he orchestrated quite possibly the most clutch shot in basketball in 2016 to help the Cavs close out on the winningest team in NBA history. Possibly the greatest ball-handler we've ever seen, it's impossible not to put Uncle Drew on here.

And before Steph Curry, there was Mark Price. He was a pioneer of "splitting the double team" and one of the most efficient shooters to ever live. He led the Cavs to the 1992 Eastern Conference Finals and likely would have won it all if it wasn't for MJ.

Big Z was the heart of the franchise just before LeBron. A two time All-Star, Ilgauskas is the all-time franchise leader in blocks, second in points, and the ultimate symbol of perseverance in Cleveland.

HM: Brad Daugherty

Detroit Pistons

Isiah Thomas (G)
Joe Dumars (G)
Ben Wallace (C)
Bob LaNier (C)

Bad Boys... Baaaaaad Boys....

In the midst of Jordan, Bird, Magic and the Dream, the Bad Boy Pistons won back-to-back titles with their teamwork and behind star backcourt mates Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Thomas was more impactful and one of the Top-5 Point Guards in league history for his play in his prime. "Silent Joe" was a team legend and would go on to lead his team long after Thomas, Laimbeer and Daly had left town.

Ben Wallace would become Detroit's leader shortly after and bring this team to new heights and some of it's most memorable moments. One of the best defensive Centers of all time, Wallace would lead his rag-tag bunch in 2004 to a SHOCKING Championship over the Lakers in one of Detroit's most feel good moments.

Finally, Bob Lanier was one of the 1970's greatest players, leading the Pistons throughout the decade and dropping a cool 23 and 12 a night on his way to 7 all stars.

Indiana Pacers

Reggie Miller (G)
Paul George (F)
Jermaine O'Neal (F)
Mel Daniels (C)

Unless AJ Dybantsa lands in Indiana, Reggie Miller’s legacy as the greatest Pacer ever may remain just as untouchable as LeBron's all time scoring record. A five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA recipient and the bonafide leader of a dangerous Pacers squad that made New York's lives hell, Miller ranks first in points, assists, steals, threes, and much more.

Paul George's time in Indiana was hampered by injuries, but he made a large impact in a short period. A four-time All-Star, he led the team to back-to-back Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014 and was by far the best two-way forward in the game.

Jermaine O'Neal had one of the biggest jumps out of a young player ever documented, going from averages of 3 points per game in Portland to a star as soon as he put on a Pacers jersey. During the early 2000s, he was the best two-way power forward in the East, combining a beautiful turnaround jumper with elite rim protection.

Mel Daniels, who notoriously chose the ABA over the NBA, turned the Pacers into a dynasty. He was a ferocious rebounder who notched seven All-Star nods and two MVPS.

HM: Rik Smits, George McGinnis

Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade (G)
LeBron James (F)
Udonis Haslem (F)
Alonzo Mourning (C)

Dwyane Wade is Miami. His 2006 Finals performance remains one of the greatest individual carries in sports history and he did it at just 24. He was a 6'4" guard who played like a 6'10" center at the rim and a was a technician in the midrange, sitting first in points, steals, assists and games played.

Before Wade, there was Zo. He gave the Heat their first identity as a tough, defensive juggernaut and his notable comeback from a kidney transplant to help the team win the 2006 title is the emotional peak of the franchise's and NBA history.

As for UD, statistics don't define him. He's the guardian of Heat Culture. An undrafted kid who ended up playing 20 years for the franchise, he's the bridge between every era of Heat success. Need stats to lock him in your rankings? He's the Heat's all-time leading rebounder.

Then there's King James. LeBron provided the highest individual peak any Heat player has ever reached. During his four years in Miami, he was essentially a basketball god—a two-time MVP, a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and the face of basketball.

HM: Bam Adebayo

Milwaukee Bucks

Sidney Moncrief (G)
Oscar Robertson (G)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (F)
Lew Alcindor (C)

The Milwaukee Bucks have one of the greatest Mt. Rushmore's of All Time and it may be headlined by their current Superstar Giannis. Watching the Freak grow from a scrawny 18-year old to a 30-year old Champion and Top-5 player in the sport has been an absolute pleasure over the last decade.

For all you youngsters out there, Lew Alcindor was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before he changed his name and was dropping 30 and 15 a night, with 3 MVPs and a 1971 championship before he made the move to LA.

Alongside Kareem for 4 seasons was Oscar Robertson. Better known for his career with the Royals, Oscar came to Milwaukee in his later years but won the team's only ring to that point in his first year on the club and help turn Alcindor from great to champion.

Sidney Moncrief was the Bucks' entire team in the '80s. One of the best defensive Guards of all time, Moncrief would regularly guard the other team's best player while still dropping 25 a night on them.

New York Knicks

Photo by Bill Kostroun/ Associated Press

Patrick Ewing (C)
Walt Frazier (G)
Carmelo Anthony (F)
Willis Reed (C)

The Knicks long history of winning... then not winning can be described as the Frazier and Reed era, and then the aftermath. Point blank: when Reed and Frazier ran together in the early '70's the Knickerbockers were elite. Frazier orchestrating and Reed controlling downlow to the tune of a 1970 MVP and the franchise's only 2 rings to date.

Pat Ewing was dubbed as the organization's savior in the mid-80's and though he never brought them to the promise land, is an all time great Center and a marquee attraction we hadn't seen in New York in some time...

UNTIL Melo came to town and brought life back to the Knicks. Again... he didn't win, but when Melo was in New York he was electric and to this day holds the Franchise's highest scoring game and the most points scored at Madison Square Garden as well.

Orlando Magic

Penny Hardaway (G)
Tracy McGrady (G)
Dwight Howard (C)
Shaquille O'Neal (C)

Every time the Magic have been a talking point, one of these four was the reason. Shaq put Orlando on the map. He wasn't just a player; he was a cultural phenomenon who broke backboards and led a three-year-old expansion team to the Finals by his third season.

Tracy McGrady's career was hampered by injuries, but his four years in Orlando were arguably the greatest individual offensive peak in team history. He was an unstoppable scoring machine who could drop 40 points in his sleep and in 2003, his PER was one of the highest in NBA history.

As for Penny Hardaway, he was dubbed the next Magic Johnson coming out of Memphis, but with a potentially higher ceiling with his hops. A 6'7" point guard with elite vision and a scoring touch, he was the perfect partner for Shaq.

Still, none of these players had the wining impact of Dwight Howard. He led Orlando the Finals in 2009 and for a five-year stretch, he was the undisputed best defensive player on the planet, anchoring a four-out, one-in system that revolutionized the modern NBA.

HM: Nikola Vucevic

Philadelphia 76ers

Allen Iverson (G)
Hal Greer (G)
Julius Erving (F)
Wilt Chamberlain (C)

If I had to pick one Mt. Rushmore on this list to play a 4-on-4 game at your local courts, this is the one... starting with A.I. Iverson brought swagger and handles to the NBA along with 28 points per game, and MVP and one of the most iconic Finals appearances ever.

Hal Greer was the franchise's iron man and holder of all of the 76ers' scoring records. Greer's 15 seasons of 19 points per game culminated in 1967 when he averaged 23 a night and won the '6ers first NBA Championship.

Dr. J is in some ways the original of Allen Iverson 2 decades earlier. His swagger, afro and dunking ability was as important to the 76ers as any championship they ever won.

Then there's Wilt. Along with Greer, Wilt brought the 76ers first championship to Philly. While only there for 3.5 seasons, Wilt's 28 and 24 per game including a perfect 3-for-3 MVPs during that time will never be forgotten.

HM: Dolph Schayes and Charles Barkley

Toronto Raptors

Photo Credit: Austin Stewart/GettyImages

Kyle Lowry (G)
DeMar Derozan (G)
Vince Carter (G)
Chris Bosh (F)

Lowry is the G.R.O.A.T, we know this. Need evidence? He ranks first in assists, steals, three pointers made and triple-doubles. He arrived as a backup point guard and evolved into a bulldog leader who took charges, hit clutch shots, and made Toronto a legitimate basketball destination for guys like Kawhi Leonard to come and get the job done.

But before Kawhi and Lowry, DeMar represented the city completely and became an absolute master of the midrange, carrying the offensive load for nearly a decade. A four-time All-Star with Toronto, Demar led the five straight playoffs.

Then there's the blast from the past, Mr. Half-Man Half-Amazing himself, Vince Carter. VC put Canadian basketball on the global map before the "We The North" era, there was "Vinsanity." He gave the franchise a nightly highlight reel when they desperately needed an identity.

Lastly, I think Chris Bosh has to get the nod for this list. He carried some very underwhelming rosters on his back for seven years, was a five-time All-Star and

Washington Wizards

Photo by Jonathan Newton/ The Washington Post

Bradley Beal (G)
John Wall (G)
Elvin Hayes (F)
Wes Unseld (F)

The backcourt pairing of Beal and Wall was so special for 7 seasons it's remarkable they didn't win more. Wall is the team's all time assist leader BY A LOT and Beal has the only 2, 30-points per game seasons in NBA History.

Rewind about 30 years and the Wizards had a much different duo in the 70's with Hayes and Unseld. Back when they were the Bullets, Hayes and Unseld would grab the organization's only Championship in 1978 while both averaged about 20 and 12 a night.

HM: Gilbert Arenas