NBA Street Legends: Honoring the Greatest Street Ballers in the Game
When it comes to basketball, some of the greatest players to ever pick up a ball didn’t always make it to the NBA. Instead, they found their calling on the local blacktop and created their own legend. These players are universally known as Street Ballers, and they often become the biggest icons of the game, with fans from the local community to international fame.
Over the years, some of the most iconic Street Ballers have been those who have made it to the highest echelon of street balling. While there is no official order, we’ve assembled this list of top Street Ballers who are no doubt deserving of their legendary status.
1. Shaquille O’Neal – Dunkadelic
Before his stint in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal was already known as a Street Balling legend. Fans remember the stories of “Dunkadelic”, with people traveling from far and wide just to witness the awe-inspiring dunks that the “Diesel” pulled off on the local courts.
2. Cheryl Miller – California Queen
Known as the “Queen of the Court”, Cheryl Miller is no doubt one of the greatest Street Ballers of all time. Several biographers have cited Miller as having the bravado and swagger of a street baller, while at the same time, maintaining the class and poise that would go on to help her become a successful announcer and coach.
3. Allen Iverson – The Answer
Although he’s now a Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson’s street ball roots run deep. He was a local icon in the Philadelphia area, and fan’s have often referred to him as “The Answer” for the many spectacular plays that he pulled off over the years.
4. Kenny Anderson – Mr. Chibbs
Hailing from New York, Kenny Anderson is one of the most iconic Street Ballers of all time. He first rose to prominence as the star of the And1 Mixtapes series, which featured an array of Iverson-like, highlight-reel plays. He later went on to have a successful career in the NBA, playing for many teams.
5. Michael Jordan – His Airness
Michael Jordan didn’t come up as a Street Baller, but he made a splash in the street ball circuit as well. His Airness often found himself on the court at the invitation of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and other NBA stars looking to get a high-level game going.
No Doubt, Street Ball Legends
These five players are no doubt some of the greatest Street Ballers of all time. They all have created legendary status for themselves and have helped to shape the face of street balling. They should be remembered and honored for their contributions to the game.
