30 players who define each NBA franchise

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Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Trimming the fat to name the one player that defines every NBA franchise’s history.

Every NBA team has that one player who just means a little bit more to the franchise than all of the others who have come and gone.

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It might be because they brought success to the franchise in a way that was never matched at any other period of time.

Sometimes it can be because a player embodies the spirit of a city. Perhaps they capture the history and traditions of a franchise, which helps to further nurture support for the team.

At times, a player’s own personality or style of play can be innovative, exciting and far enough outside of the norm to inspire fans and players alike to look at the game differently, thus propelling the franchise in a different direction.

Loyalty is a rare and undervalued trait these days, and often when a player shows commitment to a single team, fans develop a special bond.

In rare cases, all of the above are applicable, yet that still doesn’t guarantee it will be an easy decision finding a definitive player to associate with the franchise.

This isn’t about finding the greatest player ever to play for each of the NBA’s teams. Legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Bill Russell and Kobe Bryant have not made the cut.

Instead, it’s about finding the players who mean the most to each an every team. The ones who, for one reason or another, connected with the fan base and continue to resonate until this day.

This is the search for the defining names and faces of all 30 NBA franchises.

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