Fansided

Picking the best NBA player from each state

By Brad Rowland

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; NBA former player Michael Jordan and NCAA president Mark Emmert during halftime of the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; NBA former player Michael Jordan and NCAA president Mark Emmert during halftime of the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men /

New York – Michael Jordan

This is a weird one.

There is a legitimate argument to be made that the top two players in NBA history were both born in New York. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is, by all accounts, a top-five all-time player, and happens to be the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (38,387 career points), while having also finished in the top five in both career rebounds (17,440 for 4th all-time) and blocks (3,189 for 3rd all-time). Unfortunately for “The Captain”, he happens to have been born within the borders of the same state as Michael Jordan.

Many people wouldn’t know Jordan was born in Brooklyn, but he was, and that paves the way for his doubtless-controversial inclusion as the Empire State’s bar-none best. No NBA fan needs a refresher on the greatness of Michael Jordan, who is the consensus answer to the question of “who is the best NBA player ever?” But we’ll bring you one anyway.

Jordan scored more than 32,000 points over 15 seasons while averaging 30.1 points per game, claiming six NBA titles over an eight-year span in the 1990’s. “MJ” was a 14-time All-Star and five-time NBA MVP (to go along with six NBA Finals MVP awards) and, for good measure, Jordan was one of the best defensive wings ever.

We could go on for thousands of words about Jordan, but just think about this, players like Julius Erving, Carmelo Anthony, and Bob Cousy were all born in New York and none of them even generated a second thought.

Next: North Carolina

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