- NBA statues are typically erected for commemoration and honour
- Most of them are stand outside of the stadiums where the honorees played or coached
- They celebrate the careers and contributions of some of the most iconic and influential players
NBA statues are typically erected for commemoration and honour. They celebrate the careers and contributions of some of the most iconic and influential players and coaches in the league’s history.
Most of them stand outside of the stadiums where the honorees played or coached, serving as a lasting tribute to their legacy. These statues can also be a tourist attraction for the city or team. They are also a way for teams and the league to pay homage to those who have made significant contributions to the sport.
HOW MANY LAKERS PLAYERS HAVE STATUES?
Five Los Angeles Lakers players have NBA statues outside of the Staples Center, where the Lakers play their home games. They include the following:
NBA Statues. Photo/Silver Screen and Roll
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Magic Johnson
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Jerry West
- Wilt Chamberlain
Several NBA players have statues outside of their respective team’s arenas. They include:
- Larry Bird outside of the TD Garden in Boston, home of the Boston Celtics
- Bill Russell outside of the TD Garden in Boston, home of the Boston Celtics
- Hakeem Olajuwon outside of the Toyota Center in Houston, home of the Houston Rockets
- Oscar Robertson outside of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, home of the Milwaukee Bucks
- Jerry West outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Los Angeles Lakers
- George Mikan outside of the Target Center in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Dominique Wilkins outside of the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Hawks
WHAT ARE NBA STATUES MADE OF?
NBA statues are purely a work of bronze. Bronze is a metal alloy primarily made of copper, with smaller amounts of tin and other metals. It is a durable and long-lasting material resistant to corrosion, making it well-suited for outdoor statues.
Bronze is also a popular material for sculptures and statues because it can be cast and shaped into intricate and detailed forms, allowing for the accurate representation of the player or coach being honoured.
Bronze is often used for NBA statues because it is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand outdoor elements. Additionally, bronze has a natural patina that develops over time, adding character and depth to the statue.
The material is also easy to work with, making it possible for artists to create highly detailed and realistic sculptures. The material is also relatively easy to maintain, as it can be cleaned with soap and water and polished if needed. Overall, bronze is a popular choice for NBA statues due to its durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.
DOES ALLEN IVERSON HAVE A STATUE?
Allen Iverson indeed has a statue outside of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, home of the Philadelphia 76ers. The statue was unveiled in 2014 and depicts Iverson crossing over defender Tyronn Lue during Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.
Iverson played for the 76ers for most of his career and helped lead the team to the 2001 NBA Finals. He is considered one of the greatest players in 76ers’ history and one of the best point guards to ever play in the NBA.
Charles Barkley unveils his sculpture at the Philadelphia 76ers training facility (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
DOES UNC HAVE A MICHAEL JORDAN STATUE?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has a statue of Michael Jordan. This NBA statue was unveiled in November 2017, and it is located outside the Dean E. Smith Center, the home of the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The statue depicts Jordan wearing his UNC Tar Heels jersey in his iconic dunking pose. Jordan is one of the most recognizable alumni of the university. He played for the Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984, leading the team to the NCAA Championship in 1982. He was also a first-team All-American in 1983 and 1984 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
DOES SCOTTIE PIPPEN HAVE A STATUE IN CHICAGO?
The Chicago Bulls unveiled Scottie Pippen’s bronze bust on April 7, 2011. The Bulls, Michael Jordan, and Pippen won their second three-peat in 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons, and Pippen already had a permanent presence in the arena thanks to the December 2005 retirement of his number 33.
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