Dallas Mavericks: Lucky Number 9 Has a History

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May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention:

DeMar DeRozan (2009)- Great young shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors. Would get better consideration if the team had more success in the playoffs or if he continues to play well later in his career.

Otis Thorpe (1984)- Played for 8 different teams throughout his 17 year career. Best known for his time with the Houston Rockets where he won a championship in 1994 and went to the All-Star game in 1992. Was a key part to the ’94 title for the Rockets.

Dale Ellis (1983)- Was actually drafted by the Mavs in ’83 but hardly played until being traded. An All-Star in ’89 and the NBA Most Improved Player in ’87, Ellis had a solid career from 1983-2000.

Charles Oakley (1985)- Known mostly for his defense and rebounding, Oakley was a one-time All-Star and two-time All-Defense in his career. Oakley played his best years with the New York Knicks where in one season/post-season, he started in every one of their record 107 games.

May 17, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; An ice sculpture before game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

#9: Jo Jo White (1969)

Jo Jo White is a Hall of Fame point guard, inducted in 2015 after retiring in 1981. White is best known for his time with the Boston Celtics from 1969-79, where he won two titles in 1974 and 1976 and was selected to 7 All-Star teams from 1971-77. White was also the Finals MVP in 1976.

Jo Jo White’s #10 jersey is retired by the Boston Celtics and his #15 jersey is retired by the Kansas Jayhawks where he played college ball. White’s college career is well known and even depicted in the movie “Glory Road” as being one of the best in the country. He kept that depiction all through his professional career.

#8: Andre Iguodala (2004)

The defensive specialist himself, Andre Iguodala finds himself on the board after being selected 9th overall in 2004 by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iguodala spent his first 8 seasons with the Sixers, where he earned his only All-Star selection in 2012 and his first of two All-Defense teams in 2011. His second award came in 2014 with the Golden State Warriors.

Iggy has spent some of his best years of his career with the Warriors as the 6th man. He has been a favorite to win the 6th Man of the Year award before but has yet to do so. However, the biggest accomplishment of Iguodala’s career came just a few years ago when he earned the NBA Finals MVP in 2015. This was the big deciding factor to bring him to number 8.

Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) reacts after sinking a basket against Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

#7: Kemba Walker (2011)

This one could be a little bit disputable, but I think that Kemba Walker will end up being the better individual player than Andre Iguodala. Iggy has his strengths but I believe Kemba’s are stronger. Walker was drafted out of UConn in 2011 after winning the National Championship with the Huskies.

Walker was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats at the time and has been with the organization in Charlotte for all 6 years of his career. Walker has been one of the better point guards in the league for years and finally broke into the All-Star ranks this last season. His position in this list is definitely based on potential more so than proven career thus far.

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