Indiana Pacers – Jermaine O’Neal, #7
Many remember Jermaine O’Neal for his involvement in the “Malice in the Palace” back in 2004. They forget that he was one of the NBA’s best big men during the 2000s.
O’Neal played for the Pacers for eight seasons (2000-08). He was a six-time NBA All-Star as a Pacer, a three-time All-NBA selection, and was the 2001-02 NBA Most Improved Player.
O’Neal was the Pacers’ franchise player during his time in Indiana. I’m not sure if the Pacers will ever retire O’Neal’s number 7, but he’s deserving of the honor.
Other Players in Consideration: Paul George, Danny Granger, Rik Smits
LA Clippers – Blake Griffin, #32
The LA Clippers are one of two NBA teams that haven’t retired a single uniform number. The Toronto Raptors are the other. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer should open his new arena by retiring the first jersey number in Clippers’ history.
Blake Griffin was a Clipper for parts of eight seasons. He averaged 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in 504 career games in Los Angeles.
Griffin was the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, a five-time NBA All-Star, and helped usher in the team’s “Lob City” era. That era was the most successful period of Clippers basketball to date. It saw the team make the playoffs in six consecutive seasons.
Other Players in Consideration: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Chris Paul