Now one of the most popular and recognizable sports leagues in the world, the National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1949 as a merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL). The NBA would retroactively claim the BAA’s inaugural year, 1946, as their own. As a result, when they honored their 75th anniversary by announcing the top-75 players (technically, 76, due to a voting tie) in NBA history, it was in 2021 rather than 2024.
NBA Mt. Rushmore No More
In a vacuum, it probably doesn’t matter whether the NBA says they were created in 1946 or 1949. However, that nonchalance withers away when considering players like Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and 76ers swingman Paul George being among the arguable snubs. Certainly, had the league waited until 2024, the 75th anniversary of the merger that officially created the NBA, at least Jokic —a three-time NBA MVP —would have made the cut.
With that in mind, the league and its fans have a tendency to leave NBA luminaries out of important constellations. Not only does the 75th anniversary team demonstrate this, but any version of an NBA Mt. Rushmore does as well. That’s why getting back to the roots of Mount Rushmore, which the Lakota originally called Tunkasila Sakpe (“The Six Grandfathers”), is necessary.
Who Are The 6 NBA Godfathers?
In an effort to avoid inadvertent disrespect towards the Lakota’s belief system and that of other Native American communities, this list will name the NBA’s Six Godfathers (rather than Six Grandfathers).
Michael Jordan
Is Hall of Fame shooting guard Michael Jordan is still considered the greatest basketball player of all-time? That’s up for debate. However, there’s no denying that he’s the most influential player in NBA history. His gaudy numbers only tell part of the story, as his reputation is tied into his mindset as much as the point totals he amassed. A prototypical NBA wing in terms of his physique, athleticism, multi-faceted skillset and indomitable willpower, Jordan has been all but deified by the sports world.
Career Accolades
- 14-time All-Star
- 11-time All-NBA
- 10-time scoring champion
- 9-time All-Defensive
- 6-time NBA champion
- 6-time NBA Finals MVP
- 5-time NBA MVP
- 7-time Sporting News MVP
- 3-time All-Star Game MVP
- 3-time steal champion
- 1988 Defensive Player of the Year
- 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1985 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
LeBron James
Nobody has challenged Jordan’s throne quite like Hall of Fame forward LeBron James, who entered the NBA with more pomp and circumstance than any high school prospect that came before or after him. He isn’t a unanimous favorite for the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) mantle either. Nevertheless, his resume stands up quite well. In fact, many consider James to be the most naturally gifted and complete player in NBA history. Then there’s the way he’s been influencing his peers to be businessmen, social activists and community leaders rather than ‘just’ athletes.
Career Accolades
- 21-time All-Star
- 21-time All-NBA
- 6-time All-Defensive
- 4-time NBA champion
- 4-time NBA Finals MVP
- 4-time NBA MVP
- 3-time Sporting News MVP
- 3-time All-Star Game MVP
- 2024 In-Season Tournament MVP
- 2020 assist champion
- 2008 scoring champion
- 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 2004 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
- 2017 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
- NBA all-time leading scorer
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Kobe Bryant
Though no player has challenged Jordan quite like James, no player has emulated him quite like Hall of Fame wing Kobe Bryant. From his fadeaway jumper to his unbridled confidence, from his all-around skillset to his two-way dominance, Bryant was His Airness’s heir.
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Suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers and sticking with them through thick and thin only added to his star power. Unfortunately, a tragic helicopter crash left the world without this great ambassador, father, husband and player. With that being said, Bryant’s popularity is enduring, especially in the basketball world.
Career Accolades
- 18-time All-Star
- 15-time All-NBA
- 12-time All-Defensive
- 5-time NBA champion
- 2-time NBA Finals MVP
- 2008 NBA MVP
- 2008 Sporting News MVP
- 4-time All-Star Game MVP
- 2-time scoring champion
- 1997 All-Rookie team
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Prior to Jordan’s ascension, most NBA fans probably considered Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor) to be the best basketball player they had seen. Unlike the aforementioned wings, he was a sentinel in the paint at 7-foot-2. With his legendary ‘sky hook’ and intelligent playmaking, he was a formidable offensive talent. Just consider, though he retired in 1989, his status as the NBA’s all-time only having come to an end in 2023. Off the court, he was both a media star and a key figure in the Civil Rights movement.
Career Accolades
- 19-time All-Star
- 15-time All-NBA
- 11-time All-Defensive
- 6-time NBA champion
- 2-time NBA Finals MVP
- 6-time NBA MVP
- 6-time Sporting News MVP
- 2-time MBWA NBA MVP
- 4-time block champion
- 2-time scoring champion
- 1976 rebounding champion
- 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1970 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
- 1970 MBWA NBA Rookie of the Year
- NBA 35th All-Time Anniversary Team
- 1997 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry could be the most unique player on this list. He’s not a rare physical specimen, with the exception of his having exceptional conditioning. His best skill is an unparalleled 3-point stroke that strikes so much fear into opponents that his team built a system around his gravity. His influence on the way game is played might be second to none, as his 3-point prowess and it’s correlation to the Warriors dynasty has ushered in a new era in basketball.
Career Accolades
- 11-time All-Star
- 11-time All-NBA
- 4-time NBA champion
- 2022 NBA Finals MVP
- 2022 Western Conference Finals MVP
- 2-time NBA MVP
- 2-time All-Star Game MVP
- 2-time scoring champion
- 2016 steal champion
- 2010 All-Rookie team
- 2011 Sportsmanship Award
- 2023 Social Justice Champion
- 2023 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
- 2024 Clutch Player of the Year
- 2025 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year
- NBA 75th Anniversary team
Bill Russell
The last godfather was the most difficult to choose.
Jokic’s unforeseen peak could lead to him ending his career as the best European basketball player ever. Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has often been called the best scorer in the game. Tim Duncan, the franchise player during the San Antonio Spurs’ five-ring run, was another worthy candidate. The quasi-mythical Wilt Chamberlain‘s video game numbers are almost unfathomable.
There’s honestly a case to be made for each of them, but none of them have had quite enough success or influence to replace Hall of Fame center Bill Russell. In an era that’s hyper-focused on scoring, his selection might just seem unconscionable. Even so, Russell is one of the game’s unforgettable big men, and was highly respected off the floor as well. So elite was his defense, rebounding and leadership that he was the backbone of a Boston Celtics squad that won 11 NBA championships.
Career Accolades
- 12-time All-Star
- 11-time All-NBA
- 11-time NBA champion
- 5-time NBA MVP
- 4-time Sporting News MVP
- 4-time USBWA MVP
- 2-time MWBA NBA MVP
- 1963 All-Star Game MVP
- 1969 All-Defensive selection
- 4-time rebounding champion
- 1971 NBA Silver Anniversary Team
- NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team
- 1997 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
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