The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most successful and popular professional sports leagues in the world. The league is known for its high-profile players and iconic retired jerseys. Many players have had their jerseys retired by their teams, with some franchises having more retired jerseys than others. So, who has the most retired jerseys in the NBA?
The answer is the Boston Celtics, with a total of 21 retired jersey numbers. The Celtics have the most retired jerseys in the NBA due to their long and storied history. The franchise has won 17 NBA championships, the most of any team in the league, and is home to some of the greatest players to ever play the game. Notable retired jerseys of Celtics players include those of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Bob Cousy.
The next team with the most retired jerseys is the Los Angeles Lakers, with a total of 20. The Lakers have been one of the league’s most successful teams over the years, winning 16 NBA championships. The franchise has also been home to some of the greatest players the game has ever seen, from Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant. Other notable Lakers to have their jerseys retired include Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Other teams that have multiple retired jerseys include the Chicago Bulls (15), Philadelphia 76ers (11), and San Antonio Spurs (11). All of these teams have won multiple championships and are home to some of the greatest players in NBA history. For example, the Bulls have Michael Jordan’s jersey retired, the 76ers have Julius Erving’s, and the Spurs have Tim Duncan’s.
Retiring a player’s jersey is one of the highest honors a team can bestow upon a player. It serves as a tribute to a player’s greatness and legacy, and shows that the player has made a lasting impact on the team and the league as a whole. The Boston Celtics have the most retired jerseys in the NBA, with many of the greatest players in the history of the game having their jerseys hanging in the rafters of TD Garden.
Exploring The Most Retired NBA Jerseys In The League
The NBA is considered as one of the most watched sports in the world. It is the biggest basketball league in the world and has some of the most recognizable players in the game. As such, the NBA has a history of honoring players through the retirement of their jersey. This is a way for the league to remember the contribution of the players and their impact on the game. In this article, we explore the most retired NBA jerseys in the league.
When it comes to NBA jersey retirements, the first name that comes to mind is Michael Jordan. Jordan is widely considered as the greatest player of all time and is the most recognized face in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls retired his iconic number 23 jersey in 1994 and it has become a symbol of greatness and achievement. Jordan has also been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and is the only player to have his jersey retired by two different teams.
The next NBA player with the most retired jerseys is Kobe Bryant. Bryant has been a household name ever since he entered the league in 1996. He won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was the league MVP in 2008. Bryant’s number 24 jersey was retired by the Lakers in 2017 and he was the youngest player to have his jersey retired by the team. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Another player who has had his jersey retired is Magic Johnson. Johnson is a three-time MVP and was the leader of the Showtime Lakers. His number 32 jersey was retired by the Lakers in 1992 and by the Michigan State Spartans in 2017. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
The last player with the most retired jerseys is Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal is another Los Angeles Lakers great and was part of the team’s three-peat championship winning teams. His number 34 jersey was retired by the Lakers in 2013 and by Louisiana State University in 2017. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
These are the players with the most retired NBA jerseys. They have all had a major impact on the game and have been recognized for their accomplishments in the league. Each of them has had their jersey retired as a sign of respect and appreciation for their hard work and commitment to the game.
Retired Numbers: Top NBA Players Who Received The Honor
When it comes to basketball, retired numbers are one of the highest honors a player can receive. The number is typically removed from circulation, but the player’s accomplishments and legacy are not forgotten. In the NBA, retiring a player’s jersey is reserved for the most talented and accomplished players. Here are the top NBA players who have received the honor of having their number retired.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has the most retired jerseys in the NBA with six. He holds the record for most career points and was part of six championship teams. His number 33 was retired by both the Bucks and Lakers, the teams he played for during his career. He was also the first player to be named MVP six times.
Michael Jordan is second in the NBA with five retired jerseys. His number 23 has been retired by the Bulls, the team he won six championships with. He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time and was the first player to score 3,000 points in a single season. He was also a 10-time All-Star and five-time MVP.
Magic Johnson has four retired jerseys in the NBA. He won five championships with the Lakers and was the first player to receive the MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same season. He was also the first player to win an NBA championship, an NCAA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
Other players who have had their numbers retired include Wilt Chamberlain (13), Bill Russell (6), Larry Bird (33), Shaquille O’Neal (34), Oscar Robertson (1), Tim Duncan (21), and Jerry West (44).
Retiring a player’s number is a way to honor their legacy and accomplishments. These players have made an indelible mark on the game, and having their numbers retired is a testament to their greatness.
Name | Retired Jerseys |
---|---|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 |
Michael Jordan | 5 |
Magic Johnson | 4 |
Wilt Chamberlain | 3 |
Bill Russell | 2 |
Larry Bird | 1 |
Shaquille O’Neal | 1 |
Oscar Robertson | 1 |
Tim Duncan | 1 |
Jerry West | 1 |
The Los Angeles Lakers have the most retired jerseys in the NBA with a total of 22.
The Los Angeles Lakers have retired the most jerseys in the NBA with a total of 22.
The Boston Celtics have the second most retired jerseys in the NBA with a total of 21.
The Chicago Bulls have the third most retired jerseys in the NBA with a total of 18.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the most retired numbers in the NBA with a total of 8.
Kobe Bryant has the most retired numbers in the NBA with a total of 8.
The 8 retired numbers for the Los Angeles Lakers are 8 (Kobe Bryant), 13 (Wilt Chamberlain), 22 (Elgin Baylor), 24 (Kobe Bryant), 25 (Gail Goodrich), 32 (Magic Johnson), 33 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and 42 (Jerry West).
Teams with the least amount of retired jerseys in the NBA include the Phoenix Suns (2), Houston Rockets (2), and Portland Trail Blazers (1).
Yes, there are retired jerseys in the NBA from teams that no longer exist, such as the Baltimore Bullets and the Seattle SuperSonics.
Some of the criteria for retiring a jersey in the NBA include being an All-Star, helping the team win a championship, having a significant impact on the franchise, and being a positive role model for the community.