Find My NFT Avatar: NBA Legends Edition
If you’re here, it’s likely that you’re a fan of the NBA, Top Shot, NFTs, or all three. As NFTs have exploded in popularity in 2021, many NBA Top Shot collectors have used the platform as a springboard to the broader NFT space, flocking to art projects, Metaverse land, and of course, avatars!
This pattern has proven true for NBA players just like the rest of us; while Josh Hart and Tyrese Haliburton were early Top Shot Certified Ballers and advocates, they’ve since adopted Bored Apes as their Twitter avatars.
If these trends continue, we’ll see more and more public figures embrace this move, finding playful ways to establish their online identities.
When I published a definitive list of the greatest NBA players of my lifetime over the weekend, I wondered what each of their perfect avatars might look like.
The selections would have to be representative of their personalities, their games on the court, their off-court identities, or ideally, all three. Let’s see if we can save them some legwork, and find the right avatar for each of them here.
The Honorable Mentions
Karl Malone: Bulls on the Block #7565 (current owner: amt)
The second-leading scorer of all time had tremendous success running the pick and roll for two decades with the Jazz. He also wrestled, which was weird.
The Mailman has kept a low profile since retiring from the NBA, but he’s known to be an avid outdoorsman and, according to Wikipedia, owns several Jiffy Lubes!
While he no doubt hates anything Bulls-related, the fisherman hat-racing outfit-basketball court combo is too perfect to ignore.
Kawhi Leonard: Bored Ape #5199 (current owner: 0xbp)
My sweet beautiful Kawhi, shooter of the greatest shot in Raptors history during an absolutely legendary 2019 title run.
Despite that uncharacteristic celebration, he is rightly described as a robot; or at least, someone who has the emotional range of a robot.
He even did an extremely awkward and uncomfortable promo for the last Terminator movie playing on this exact trope. The most robotic ape of the bunch is a perfect fit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Cool Cats #5663 (current owner: olju)
The two-time MVP has become a killer on the court, mean-mugging and dunking on anyone he chooses. He has brought the Bucks to within one win of an NBA title, despite playing with a knee injury suffered in the Conference Finals.
Free throw shooting aside, he is an absolute beast. Off the court, however, he is adorable.
He may have grown up, but that wide-eyed kid is still inside him, and I hope he would embrace it if he had the chance.
Charles Barkley: Top Dog Beach Club #4579 (current owner: Quidious)
The Round Mound of Rebound was aggressive on and off the court during his career, and he isn’t afraid to take a confrontational tone on NBA broadcasts.
These aggressive pups are a good fit for him, while the festive Hawaiian shirt and lei are a nod to his love of a good round of golf, terrible swing and all.
Dirk Nowitzki: Veefriends Gentle Giant (current owner: Jig)
Dirk, who’s been close to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban since being drafted in 1998, would no doubt follow Cubes’ guidance on a purchase. Given how intimately Cuban knows both the space and its players, I suspect he would see the opportunity to connect with Gary Vee as a key advantage and recommend the German pick up this playful big man.
The Top Ten
10. Hakeem Olajuwon: Art Blocks Curated Dreams #656 (current owner: F674F9)
It may seem a little on the nose for the Dream to have a Dreams as his profile picture, but there’s also something kind of perfect about it.
If there was ever an NBA superstar who embraced a splash of color over an outsized personality, it’s the modest African, who let his arsenal of low post moves do the talking for him.
This piece, with hues reminiscent of the late 90’s Rockets jerseys, is a fine fit.
9. Steph Curry: Cool Cats #1688 (current owner: zoidberg)
Curry’s daughter Riley was front and center during the Warriors’ title runs.
He definitely seems like the kind of guy to let his young daughters choose his avatar, or at least choose one that he thinks they’d like.
This Cat is as good a choice as any.
(Note: Panda Golf Squad might have been a better fit, both for cuteness and for Curry’s love of golf, but no points for rug pulls here.)
8. Kevin Durant: Visitors of Imma Degen #2099 (current owner: 6590B3)
The correct choice for Durant is, of course, his AllStarFreaks card.
It’s perfectly designed, around a perfect nickname for the greatest shooting 7 footer ever, whose game would be killer in any era.
However, Durant is often bristly and dissatisfied, and much like choosing to play with Kyrie, his judgment is often questionable.
I imagine Durant would be the kind of collector that hops from one project to another, chasing the next winner and landing on some strange choices along the way.
7. Shaquille O’Neal: Bulls on the Block #8331 (current owner: Pvte)
Shaq would probably shill whichever project paid him to do so.
Paychecks aside, the Big Diesel would probably want an avatar that captured both his size and his love of law enforcement. I suspect this Bull’s friendly grin would speak to him.
In fact, Shaq might be the only one on this list who decided to dress up like his avatar for a laugh.
6. Kobe Bryant
Too soon. 😢
5. Tim Duncan: Bored Ape #8179 (current owner: 0xshin)
The most boring Bored Ape is the perfect fit for the Big Fundamental. It is an Ape. It is boring. It gets the job done.
He was a superstar with horrendous fashion, whose seeming lack of personality was somehow endearing.
Like the BAYC, he was boring, and he was a winner. I love him.
4. Larry Bird: Cool Cats #9476 (current owner: MerkleRhizome)
The face of Larry Legend absolutely must have a blonde mullet, and this retro tank top seems like a nice nod to both the ’80s and the farms of Indiana.
It also manages to recreate his noticeably tiny mouth.
3. Magic Johnson: Slumdoge Billionaires #7698 (current owner: Magpie-369)
Honestly, it’s hard to find an avatar that would have as much character as Magic himself. He needs an image that captures his larger-than-life personality, and business successes off the court. At the same time, he’s had his share of failures, as Lakers fans in recent years can attest.
An intentionally stupid avatar that’s based on a meme coin and wearing a knockoff Lakers jersey is as good a choice as any.
2. LeBron James: Bored Ape # 8585 (current owner: IDK2000)
One of the best ever. Unquestionably valuable. A joy to see.
Both King James and this Ape are awesome and worth every penny.
But also, maybe trying just a little too hard to be fun, you know?
1. Michael Jordan: Goatz #4085 (current owner: WyattApe)
The obvious choice would be an alien Cryptopunk or the most expensive Ape.
But MJ’s status is unimpeachable; his avatar could be a pair of his terrible jeans, and it would still be iconic because there’s only one Air Jordan.
He doesn’t need to care about value, because anything he touches is valuable just from being in his orbit.
Jersey. Cigar. Bald head. Earring. A Goatz for the G.O.A.T.
So what do you think of these choices? Did I miss better options? Are there other players you’d like to see hypothetical NFT avatars for?
Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter.
Thanks for reading!
