The Top 20 White American Players of the Last Twenty Years

Okay, so here’s Jones on the NBA’s list of the greatest white boy ballers of the last 20 years. This list is only comprised of American bread basketball players. The exception to the rule goes for international ball players that played college ball in the United States (I.E. Steve Nash). So don’t all email me with cries about Dirk, Toni, or Peja not making the list.

When composing this list, I also had to determine where "on the brink of being a white boy" players like Jason Kidd and Mike Bibby would fall on the list. And after spending much time pondering this thought, I decided that they too would have to be omitted.

When you think of good white NBA players you usually think of guys who have overcome a PERCEIVED lack of athletic ability to become one of the best ballers in the world. They usually have a knack for the game and an ability to hit three pointers and free throws pretty consistently. But some of them were able to overcome these stereotypes and go beyond just shooting prowess to become some of the best dunkers, passers, and defensive players in the history of the game. This tribute is part to show off my knowledge of the game and part to pay tribute to guys I used to get made fun of for wanting to emulate. Believe me, I didn’t get many points back in the day as a black kid in L.A. saying that Mark Price was one of my favorite players. Anyhow, enough of the babbling already…Let’s get to the list.

Mark Price: Although many of you probably don’t recall this, Price was the clean cut, southern boy version of Steve Nash. Long before Nash was even in the mind of NBA fans, Price was known for ripping the hearts out of NBA teams across the league. As with Nash he was ultra quick, deadly off of the pick and roll, and fantastic from behind the three point line. As well, he loved to draw double and triple teams driving to the basket and then dish out to open teammates. If not for Michael Jordan (how many players have their bios prefaced with this statement), Nash and his Cavs probably would have made the Finals in 1992.

Mark Eaton: Other than being certified as the official missing link, this Sasquatch look a like was known for being one of the best shot blockers of all-time. He is currently the all-time leader in blocks per game (3.5 per contest) and is third all-time in total blocks (behind Hakeem and Kareem). When former coach Frank Layden drafted him out of UCLA with little to know playing experience, Layden squashed his critics by stating “You can’t teach height.” I always say, if Eaton would have come along a little bit later, the Jazz would have at least won one championship.

Tom Chambers: Um yeah, if you’ve ever played the EA sports classic Lakers v. Bulls, you probably think Tom Chambers is the greatest player in the history of the game. I mean, who else could double clutch dunk from the three point line? Chambers best years were spent in Seattle and in Phoenix. While in Phoenix, he and KJ would form one of the most deadly pick and roll combos in the league. In the 1990 season Chambers was an MVP candidate, scoring 27.2 points per game and leading his Phoenix Suns team to a second round upset over the team with the best record in the league that year, the Magic Johnson led Los Angeles Lakers.

John Stockton celebrates after hitting a big three to send the Jazz to the 1997 NBA Finals

John Stockton: I really don’t have to write much here, do I? Stock is the All-Time leader in Steals and Assists. He played tough as nails defense and set picks like he was Charles Oakley. His use of the pick and roll was even more impressive than both Nash and Price. A lot of players around the league called him the dirtiest player around. I don’t doubt it, but I know he got away with a lot of it because of his Boy Scout haircut and those damn short, shorts. The most impressive thing about Stockton was his consistency. For 18 seasons he hardly ever missed games and always provided solid leadership, passing, scoring, and defense to his Utah Jazz teams. He’s another one of the greats that will have that “if not for Michael Jordan” asterisk by his name.

Jack Sikma: Why is it that white boys love all of the teams that wear green? I mean think about it. In the 70s, 80s, and early 90s it seemed like all of the white boys in the league were either in Milwaukee, Seattle or Boston. Of course teams like Indiana and Utah have now replaced the green teams with that distinction, but still. Jack played for two of the three (Seattle and Milwaukee). He was a member of seven NBA All-Star teams, and was one of the best players on the Sonics only championship team. Regarded as a poor mans Bill Walton, Sikma somewhat lacked both leaping ability and physical strength, but had a tremendous shooting accuracy and good passing skills, especially for a man his size.

Larry Bird: Not only the greatest white boy to ever touch a basketball (sorry Jerry West), but also one of the greatest basketball players of All-Time. Bird rocked the hick stash way before Adam Morrison was even a drop in his daddy’s sack. Along with Magic Johnson (and his Lakers), Bird and his Celtics helped turn the NBA into an international multi-billion dollar business. Larry Legend was a winner of three NBA Championships, three (straight) MVPs (1984 through 1986), and also a member of the original Dream Team, the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players, and the Basketball Hall of Fame. More than anything, Bird was just gangsta. I mean take a look at old videos of him getting into fights with Laimbeer and Dr. J. Also who else but an O.G. would come in to the locker room before a three point shooting contest and ask: “so who’s taking second tonight” and then go out and win the entire contest without so much as taking off his warm up suit? Bird is the personification of the old “he can’t run or jump, but somehow he finds a way” mantra. He was a 6’9” forward who made plays like a point guard, shot the three like a two guard, rebounded like a bruising power forward, and hustled like a 12th man searching for playing time. It’s safe to say that Magic’s HIV and Bird’s bad back deprived the league of a few more years of classic playoff battles.

Jeff Hornacek: The definition of white boy consistency. Jeff was just a solid player and an all around good guy. I mean, who else, other than a good guy would wipe his brow before every single free throw attempt in order to throw a shout out to his wife and kids? Let’s just say I don’t really think Jeff Hornacek had a pose, a weed carrier, or side bitches. The reason Jeff was so humble is that he came from humble beginnings. He was a walk on at Iowa State and was always fighting to prove that he belonged. Hornacek was a deadly outside shooter, shooting 40% from three for his career. He also once made 67 straight free throws (during the 2000 season). Hornacek was best known for his years with the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz. He did spend a year or so (depressed) in Philadelphia after being traded to the Sixers for one Sir Charles Barkley. The Jazz were then able to steal Hornacek away from the Sixers for Jeff Malone. They must have told the Sixers they were sending them Karl Malone or something, because while Hornacek went on to play another solid seven seasons with the Jazz, J-Malone went on to pretty much retire a couple of years later.

Dan Majerle: I really think that the makers of the old EA sports video games looooved the Phoenix Suns, because between Tom Chambers three-point dunking exploits and Dan’s deadly three point shooting, you pretty much couldn’t lose when you picked the Suns back then. Anyhow, “Thunder Dan” was best known for his deadly three-point shooting during the early 90s while a member of the Phoenix Suns. The funny thing is that when he first came into the league he was more of a slasher. But the arrival of a solid low post threat in Sir Charles Barkley along with an offensively liberal head coach in Paul Westphal allowed Majerle to become one of the best three point shooters in league history. While a member of the Suns, he made 3 All-Star teams (1992, 1993, and 1995) and was a key member of the Barkley led team that made lost to the Bulls in the 1993 Finals. He owns the Phoenix Suns record for three-pointers in a regular season game (8), and tied Michael Jordan’s NBA finals single game record for three-pointers by dropping five of them (ironically against Jordan and his Bulls) in game 3 of the 1993 Finals. Thunder Dan was also known for his defensive prowess, making the 1991 and 1993 All-Defensive second teams.

Kevin McHale: Confirmation that Dr. Frankenstein did exist. Although he might be one of the worst GMs in the history of the game, that certainly is no reflection on his skills as a player. Named as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of All-Time, McHale used his deadly post moves to help guide his Boston Celtics teams to three championships in the 80s. A seven time NBA All-Star, McHale also lead the league in field goal percentage in the ’87 and ’88 seasons, shooting over 60% from the field in both seasons. Early in his career he was used primarily as a sixth man, and won the sixth man of the year award in 1984 and 1985.

Little known fact: Former Celtics GM Red Auerbach owned the first pick of the 1980 draft, but was shrewd enough to trade the pick to the Golden State Warriors for Robert Parish and the rights to a lower pick. He used that lower pick to draft McHale and thus formed one of the greatest front lines of All-Time. The rest (as they say) is history…

Rex Chapman: After an unbelievable college career at Kentucky, Rex surfed into the NBA on a wave of hype. He was the first ever draft pick (number 8 overall) of the then expansion Charlotte Hornets in 1988. Chapman will best be remembered for being one of the few white boys to be able to hold his own in a dunk contest and for some of his crazy fall away three pointers he made throughout his career, most notably some of the one’s he drained as a member of the Phoenix suns during the 1997 playoffs vs. the Seattle Sonics.

Christian Laettner: Another player who’s college career set them up for a let down in the NBA. Laettner was probably one of the 10 greatest college players of all-time (white or black), yet was just a solid NBA player during his thirteen year pro career. It seemed like the first half of his career he was dealing with the burden of living up to the hype that he came out of college with. He had a few 18 point and 8 rebound per game seasons (in 93, 96, and 97), made one All-Star team (in 97), and was probably the first or second best player on every team he was on for the first 10 years of his career. Although he was only a member of the team because of his college accomplishments, Laettner was the also a member of the original Olympic Dream Team in 1992.

Bill Walton: Okay so Bill only had one significant season during the last twenty years, but I must say that his one season was pretty significant. His addition helped turn the 1986 Boston Celtics into one of the greatest teams in NBA history. The funny thing is that during the summer prior to that season, Walton first inquired about joining the Lakers before signing with the Celtics. Now imagine the 1986 Lakers with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as their starter and Bill Walton as their back up. Seems like pretty much money in the bag, right? I guess not to all of us.

Danny Ainge: Rumored to be a five tooled baseball player, Ainge passed on an opportunity to be a big leaguer in order to shoot hoops in the hallowed halls of Boston Garden. Ainge was probably the worst starter on the Celtic’s 80s championship teams. But I think that was more of a testament to how good of a team those Celtics teams were than anything. Following his championship years with the Celtics, Ainge would go on to spend a couple of years in Sacramento as the Kings go to guy before finally wrapping up his career as a three-point shooting specialist for the Blazers (90-92) and the Suns (92-95). My favorite Danny Ainge moment (of many) was when he threw a basketball at the back of Mario Elie’s head at the end of a Phoenix v. Houston playoff game in 1995. Of course Elie got the last laugh in that series, after hitting his famous “kiss of death” corner three pointer, but yeah the ball throwing incident still sticks out my mind. Especially because he played it like he was just trying to throw the ball off of him to make a basketball play. Just classic…

Brad Miller: Big Brad is one of three players in league history to go undrafted and then make an All-Star team (two in Brad’s case). The former Purdue Boilermaker is known for his hard hat style and his ability to hit mid-range jump shots. He’s another player that the post Jordan Bulls had and got rid of before he had a chance to develop. Think about this: the post Jordan Bulls once had a starting front line of Elton Brand, Brad Miller and Ron Artest before rushing to trade them all for less than market value. Yeah, Jerry Krause really knew what he was doing. Anyhow, Brad has had a solid career and continues to be a solid 15 point, 8 rebound a game guy for the Sacramento Kings.

Scott Skiles: The current Chicago Bulls head coach is best known for his playing days with the Orlando Magic where he was able to capture the single game record for assists (30 against the Denver Nuggets during the 1990-1991 season). His best years were spent as the best player on the expansion Orlando Magic. In 1990-1991, he rode his record breaking assist performance all the way to the NBA’s most improved player award. Scott was traded to Washington after the Magic needed to make room for their star draft pick, Penny Hardaway.

Great Skiles Quote: "Basketball is like religion: many attend, few understand."

Steve Nash: The reigning two time MVP and one of the four best white point guards of all-time (I’ve got Cousy, Stockton, and Price as the others on my list). A late bloomer who seemed to come into his own once he was placed in Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun system in Phoenix. He’s best when he’s running the fast break or facilitating screen and roll sets. Has a solid jump shot, and shoots above 50% from the field. Steve is also the most accurate free throw shooter in the league. He lacks the lateral movement to be a great defender, which in my opinion keeps him from being mentioned above Payton, Stockton, and Kidd on the list of best point guards from his own generation.

Brent Barry: The best of the Rick Barry offspring, Barry made a real name for himself when he won the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest with a Dr. J style free throw line dunk. Other than his early career in air antics, Barry is best known for being a solid passer and a very accurate three point shooter. I really started to like Barry when I met him at my family’s automobile brokerage. While all of the other players and celebs were getting their Hummers and Escalades hooked up, Barry rolled up in his VW surf fan. Any dude, (especially and NBA player) cool enough to come into our shop and get his VW van hooked up is alright with me.

Bill Laimbeer: The enforcer on the Pistons 1989 and 1990 championship teams, Bill was best known for kicking ass and taking names. He also was a pretty savvy three point shooter, defender, and rebounder. He parlayed this into four all-star appearances in 1983,1984, 1985, and 1987. Other than Bird, he’s the one guy on this list you don’t want to meet in a dark alley. Also finished tops in the league throughout his career in field goal percentage. He’s known now a days for leading the WNBA Detroit Shock to the 2003 WNBA championship.

Chris Mullin: Best known for his silky left handed jump shot. The only baller straight off of the outdoor playgrounds of New York City to make this list. I’m pretty sure Mully was a brotha in another life. He had to be. I mean this dude didn’t carry himself like a white boy. There’s a part of me that wishes he would have played in NYC during his career, because I’m sure that he would have went down as the most popular player in Knicks history. Mullin is another guy that you can just go off with on the old EA Sports NBA games. A member of the first Dream Team and a five time All-Star, Mullin had his best years in the late 80s and early 90s along side Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond as a member of the Golden State Warriors famed high scoring triumvirate (aptly named RUN TMC). Chris made the All-NBA first team in 1992, second team in 1989 and 1991 and third team in 1990. He had his best season in 1992 where he average 26 points, 5 rebounds, and almost 4 assists per night.

Detlef Schrempf: When I was a kid in L.A., watching the Super Sonics play was a joy for me just because it gave me a chance to hear the Supersonics P.A. announcer say: “Detlef Schrempf for THREEEE POINTS, THHREEEE POINTS Schrempf!” Can I ask you this? Why is it that every German/Russian ball player comes into the league looking like an Ivan Drago knock off? I mean, I’m sure Kirilenko and Shrempf have to share some lineage with Dolph Lundgren. Anyhow, despite being born in Germany, Schrempf did play high school and college basketball in Washington, which makes him eligible for this prestigious(?) list. He first made his mark in the league as the sixth man for the early 90s Pacer teams winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in both the 1991 and 1992 seasons. He made his first All-Star team in 1993 when he averaged 19.1 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Pacers. Inexplicably, prior to the 1993-1994 season Schrempf was traded by the Pacers to the Seattle Sonics for their defensive standout Derek McKey. Schrempf went on to have a fine career with the Sonics, becoming one of the best three point shooters in the league, making two more All-Star teams, and (along with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp) helping to lead the Sonics to a 1996 NBA finals appearance.

Honorable Mention: Chris Kaman, John Barry, Luke Ridnour, Luke Walton, Steve Kerr, John Paxson, Pat Garrity, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Craig Ehlo, Eric Piatkowski, Mike Miller, Wally Szczerbiak, Jason Williams, Don Maclean, Matt Harpring, Troy Murphy, Austin Croshere, Jeff Foster, Tom Gugliotta, Raef Lafrentz, Kirk Hinrich, Kelly Tripucka, Keith Van Horn, Kiki Vandeweghe, etc.

Keep your eyes and ears open, cuz I’ll be back later this weekend with my picks for the 20 WORST white NBA ballers of the last 20 years.