There's No Way NBA Fans Can Name All These Old School Players
- by Marc Schmidt
- – on
- in Sports
The history of the NBA is one of the richest in professional sports. The players and teams that have made the league what it is today continues to be celebrated and revered by fans of all ages. Much like Major League Baseball, players from the "Golden Era" of the league have legendary stories attached to them that have been passed down from generation to generation.
NBA fans who know the game very well probably feel a sense of familiarity with many of the old school players thanks to the availability of old game footage. This is regardless of what era an NBA fan started following the game. This quiz aims to go beyond what is going on in the NBA today and reach back to the league's roots.
Whether an NBA fan watched the game during the previous eras may not matter as much as one might believe. There is so much information out there today that a true fan of old school NBA action is capable of learning whatever they want to know about their favorite teams and players. NBA fans who truly know their stuff should have no problem identifying who these old school greats are. However, there might be a few in there that have been forgotten about due to the passing of time. So the real question is, can true old school NBA fans name all of these players? Let's go ahead and put that encyclopedic old school NBA knowledge to the test!
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player probably doesn't need much of an introduction. He spent hi best playing years with the Chicago Bulls during the NBA's "Golden Years" and is more or less considered the greatest basketball player of all time. After winning 6 NBA championships, numerous awards, and breaking several records, this player has pretty much seen and done it all. They even have a sneaker and sports apparel business that is still popular and iconic to this day. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is one of the most important players in the NBA's history. He entered the league during a time period when the league needed a lot of help with its image and quality of play. This player brought "Showtime" to the league thanks to his attitude, passing ability, and leadership. He helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a number of NBA Finals appearances throughout the 1980's and is considered one of the best players in NBA history. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
From a small town in Indiana to the big city of Boston this old school NBA player managed to create a legendary story for himself during his time in the NBA. If there is one thing this legendary NBA player is known for it's his ability to shoot from the 3 point line. However, this player is also known for being slow of foot, but very quick with his mind. He had the ability to make everybody around him better and was deceptively smart on the basketball court. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player probably still gives a lot of teams nightmares. Especially players from the arch rival Miami Heat. This old school NBA player is known as one of the best pure shooting guards to ever play the game. He was a key member of the New York Knicks NBA Finals runs back in the 1990's. Although they came up short, their teams have never been forgotten. It'd be hard to forget about a guard who had as sweet of a shot as this player did. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
The name of this old school NBA player should come to mind just by hearing his nickname. "The Mailman" delivered often for the Utah Jazz thanks to his skillful play and powerful physique. It also helps that he had one of the best point guards of all time feeding him the ball in half court situations and during fast breaks. The only thing this old school player didn't do was win an NBA championship. This is despite several trips with the Jazz and one final attempt with the Los Angeles Lakers. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is considered one of the best point guards of all time. Although he was a very skillful player in his own right, it is hard to imagine him playing without the help of a teammate who was often referred to as "The Mailman". Two NBA Finals trips and a trip to the 1992 Olympics as a member of the "Dream Team" makes this player one of the very best in NBA history. The prestige of being on the "Dream Team" certainly helps. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is somebody who is even recognizable to non NBA fans. He's pretty much been everywhere in the media. From commercials to his own rap music and movies, this old school NBA player has done it all. Despite being so busy he still managed to make several NBA Finals appearances with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat. Today he is well known for his prominent role as an analyst on TNT's popular NBA pregame show. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is probably better known by his nickname than by any of the names given in the answers to this question. His jersey number is not only the number 1, it also represents his nickname as well. "Penny" was known as one of the best point guards in the NBA during the 1990's. He is best known for teaming up with arguably the best center of his generation before he left to join the Los Angeles Lakers. They made one trip to the NBA Finals together, but lost to the Houston Rockets. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known by many as "The Answer". He is also considered one of the quickest and best scoring point guards in NBA history. Although he never won an NBA championship, he brought a lot of thrilling moments to a revived Philadelphia 76ers team in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Although some NBA fans remember him for his rant about practice, there is arguably nobody in the history of the NBA who worked harder during the actual game than this player. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is one of the few on this list who might be better known for how they played on defense than on offense. Not only was this player a master at blocking shots, he also wasn't shy about it. Even non NBA fans can probably recall seeing this player do his famous finger wag in a commercial ad campaign that aired a few years back. He is best known for his days with the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is a two time NBA FInals champion and former center for the Houston Rockets. He is also remembered for his nickname “The Dream”. This is a nickname that even got associated with a basketball move he used to do called the “Dream Shake”. This perennial NBA All Star may not have been the most innovative player and may not even be the most popular from his era, but he Is among one of the best. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player not only known as the leader of the New York Knicks teams of the 80’s and 90’s, he is also remembered for his time as a standout Center for the Georgetown Hoyas during his college days. Unfortunately he is also known for falling just short of championships. The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs dynasties all got in the way of this player’s great teams from being the “team of the 90’s” on several different occasions. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player will always be remembered as the “Robin” to his teammate’s “Batman” status. Although this player’s teammate is arguably the best player in NBA history, this particular player can’t be underestimated. As a key member of the Chicago Bulls dynasty during the 90’s, this player certainly has a lot to be proud of. He was a perennial All Star and played on some of the best teams in NBA history. Not many players could have complimented the greatest of all time much better than this old school player from Central Arkansas. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player was a well traveled journeyman, but might be best known for being a scoring machine. This player is well known for his days with the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets. Of the three teams he played on, he might be best known for his time in Toronto. He was one half of a very exciting duo that brought fun and excitement to the expansion franchise. Although this era didn’t last long and he accomplished a lot of other things during his playing days, this might have been his most memorable era. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player received a lot of hype pri to entering the NBA from China. His enormous size along with an incredible set of skills made him a highly coveted and respected big man. Despite all of his talent, he was unable to take his Houston Rockets team to the next level due to some health issues. Although his playing days were cut short, his impact is still felt today as he helped to make the NBA a much more internationally renown league. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player was known as “The Human Highlight Reel” because a lot of his dunks were so spectacular. This name could also be applied to his scoring ability as he was always one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA. His Atlanta Hawks teams often met up with other great teams such as the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls for memorable showdowns. He was often an electrifying participant in the NBA All Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
Although this old school NBA player had a stellar performance in the NBA, he might still be best known as a key member of the Michigan Wolverines Fab Five teams of the early 90’s. Besides for his college playing days, this player is also known for being the leader of a very good Sacramento Kings team from the early 2000’s who were on the brink of knocking an even greater Los Angeles Lakers team out of the playoffs. Today he is known for his analysis and commentating on NBA TV and TNT. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player was known as the face of the Indiana Pacers for almost two decades. Although his teams never won an NBA Championship, they are known for being heated rivals with some of the best teams of the 1990’s. This player’s shooting ability and leadership skills helped to ignite a franchise that had very little going for it prior to his arrival. Today this old school NBA player is known for providing commentary during NBA games on TNT. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is best known for being one of the Boston Celtics “Big Three” during their NBA Finals runs during the 1980’s. He was a very gifted player inside the paint thanks to his height and exceptionally long arms. This height advantage helped him to become one of the most prolific rebounders and scorers of his era. Although he isn’t quite as notable as another “legendary” player on the team, old school NBA fans know that these Celtic teams wouldn’t have been as great without his presence. Today he does commentary for NBA TV and TNT. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player may not have been an All Star and may not have even been a superstar in the opinion of most NBA fans, but he was a player that teams were glad they had. He helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back to back NBA Championships in the late 2000's while remaining a consistent scoring presence in the process. In between his stint with the Lakers, this old school player also spent time with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is not only remembered for his incredible play with the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, he is also remembered for having the heart of a warrior. Not only did he show that by putting up All Star caliber numbers on offense and defense, he also did this by fighting through a kidney illness that almost forced him to retire from basketball {Basketball Reference}. After recovering, this old school player came back and helped the Miami Heat win their first NBA Championship. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is probably best remembered for his time as a member of the "Run-TMC" Golden State Warriors of the early 90's. He is probably also remembered as being one of the best pure shooters in the game during the late 80's and early 90's as well. Although this incredible talent out of St. Johns never won an NBA Championship, he did finally make it there as a member of the Indiana Pacers during the late 90's. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player probably doesn't need much of an introduction. He is a future Hall Of Famer who lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA Championships and several more playoff and NBA Finals appearances. The "Black Mamba" is not only considered one of, if not the greatest Laker, he is also considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. This perennial All Star and exciting scoring machine is missed by NBA fans even though he just retired a few seasons ago. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player might be best remembered for all of the technical fouls he would get due to his passionate arguments with the referees. However, he was much more than that. This former Portland Trail Blazer and Detroit Piston was a great scorer and all around presence inside the paint. Although many old school NBA fans might remember him for his fiery attitude, they should note that his teams wouldn't have been as successful without his play. Especially the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known by many as one of the greatest players to never win an NBA Championship. Nicknamed "The Round Mound of Rebound" this Hall of Famer used his height and size to do more than just get rebounds. This perennial NBA All Star was also a huge scoring threat is also remembered for his entertaining and thunderous dunks. One thing this player out of Auburn did win was an Olympic gold medal with the 1992 Dream Team. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is probably remembered best for his years with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, this high flying scoring threat who was nicknamed "The Glide" also had a very successful stint with the Houston Rockets. Although he wasn't the franchise player in Houston, he was an important part of their NBA Championship title run in 1995 and also had a few All Star seasons with the team after that. Some old school basketball fans may also remember this player for his time as a member of "Phi Slama Jama" with the University of Houston. {ESPN and Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is considered one of the greatest point guards to play the game. This Hall of Fame point guard and perennial NBA All Star could always find a way to get through some of the biggest and best in order to score or find somebody else to score. This player is known for being a big part of the back to back NBA Championships won by the Detroit Pistons during the late 80's. He was also an Indiana Hoosier during his college days in the early 80's {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known for stepping up during "Big Games" and giving his Los Angeles Lakers teams a much needed boost. As a perennial NBA All Star and member of three NBA Championship teams with the Lakers, this Hall Of Famer was one of the best players of his era. Although he wasn't quite good enough to be apart of the 1992 Dream Team, he was a player any team of that era would have been happy to have as a "second option" in their starting lineup. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player was often considered by many to be the "2nd" best player behind a certain high flying NBA Champion from the Chicago Bulls during the peak of his playing days. NBA fans could count on this Hall Of Famer to average 20 points per game almost every season. Although he didn't win an NBA Championship during his time with the "Run TMC" Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, this former NBA MVP and Rookie Of The Year finally got one as a member of the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is a little bit different from many others in this quiz. This player didn't reach the Hall Of Fame due to being an electrifying scorer. However, he was a player who could always be depended on for his passing ability and assists. Although he spent many seasons as the leader of the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and New Jersey Nets, this perennial NBA All Star didn't win an NBA Championship until he rejoined the Dallas Mavericks for their run in the early 2010's {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is probably known for more accolades than can be listed under this question. He is a Hall of Famer, 2 time NBA Champion, former NBA MVP and Rookie of the Year, scoring champion, block champion, and perennial NBA All Star. As a member of the San Antonio Spurs, "The Admiral" was arguably the best center of his generation. He helped to put the Spurs franchise on the NBA map after several years of toiling away in mediocrity. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player might be best known for being a quiet leader of the great San Antonio Spurs championship runs of the past two decades, but to others he is simply remembered for being great. This five time NBA Champion and perennial All Star was a steady scoring and rebounding presence for the team throughout their entire run. He earned the nickname "The Big Fundamental" for a very good reason. This former Wake Forest standout had one of the most fundamentally sound game that NBA fans have ever seen. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is arguably the most colorful character in the history of the league. Although he became known for his flamboyant hairstyles and personality, those who watched him or played against him know that this Hall of Famer was no joke. "The Worm" was arguably the greatest rebounder of all time. He made the All-Defensive team on many occasions and was a rebounding champion several times as well. He was a five time NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player might be best known for his ability to score a lot of baskets. Although he could be relied on to dish out assists and play good defense, most NBA fans probably remember this player for his scoring ability more than anything else. As a member of the back to back NBA Champion Detroit Pistons of the late 80's, this six time NBA All Star was one of the key pieces to their championship run. He even earned the NBA Finals MVP in 1989. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is fondly remembered for his "Grandmama" alter ego, but was so much more than that ad campaign. This former UNLV standout had a very solid performance in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. He brought a solid scoring and rebounding contribution to his teams. It wasn't unusual to see him spell out his initials using his arms when he would score on a three point shot or do something else great on the court. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player may not be a Hall of Famer or NBA Champion, but he was certainly a dominant force inside the paint for quite a few seasons during the late 80's and early 90's. This four time NBA All Star was a very important piece to many of the Phoenix Suns playoff runs during this era. Many NBA fans have probably forgotten that he was also a member of the Seattle Supersonics prior to joining the Suns in 1988. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known for his all around play and leadership during the Phoenix Suns playoff run during the late 80's and through most of the 90's. Although he was only an NBA All Star three times, this point guard was one of the most respected in the game throughout his playing days. He helped guide a very good Suns team to an NBA Finals appearance in 1993 and helped to keep the team in contention for several years after that. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player and Hall of Famer is considered one of the best point guards to play the game. If there was ever a player NBA fans would want to run their offense, it would be this player. He is not only considered one of the greatest passing point guards in NBA history, he was also good at creating his own offense as well. This two time NBA MVP and five time NBA Assist Champion wasn't the kind of player defenders could ever relax against. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player isn't a Hall of Famer just yet, but he will be very soon. He's not only a perennial NBA All Star and former NBA MVP, he was also an NBA Champion on the Boston Celtics great 2008 team. As a terrific all around player, he not only maintained a consistent presence on offense, he also made teams nervous when playing defense. As a result, this former Minnesota Timberwolf and Boston Celtic made the NBA's All-Defensive twelve times and was a four time NBA Rebounding Champion. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known for being one of the leaders of the Boston Celtics reemergence after years of being at the bottom of the league. This player was not only known as a good inside scoring threat, but also liked to take shots from the 3 point line as well. Although this player will probably never be a Hall of Famer, he'll be remembered as a solid contributor on every team he played on. This includes a championship season with the Miami Heat in 2006. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known as one of the last great players from the now defunct Seattle Supersonics. The "Reign Man" is also known for his thunderous slam dunks and scoring ability. He was a key member of a great Supersonics team of the 90's that tended to win a lot of games, but had trouble winning in the playoffs. They also had to face what is arguably the greatest team of all time in the 1996 Finals. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is known for his all around play at the point guard position. He was especially good at getting steals. This reputation earned him the nickname "The Glove". He is also notable for being one of the last great players from the Seattle Supersonics. Although his teams were very good, they had a hard time winning during the NBA Playoffs. However, this Hall of Famer finally got an NBA Championship while playing for the 2006 Miami Heat. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is remembered for being one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the league. Fans of teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Seattle Supersonics, and Miami Heat knew that this player was going to get the ball when a clutch two or three point shot was needed. This player was also a very important part of the Miami Heat's third NBA Championship in 2013 and the Boston Celtics championship run in 2008. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player may not have made many All Star teams and will probably never be in the Hall Of Fame, but NBA fans will remember him as one of the key parts to the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic's NBA Championship runs during the 90's. This player did a great job of being a third option under Hall of Fame talent. Although he didn't make it back to the NBA Finals after his time in Chicago he did continue to be a tough matchup until his retirement in 2004 {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player might be better remembered for his college playing days with the Duke Blue Devils. However, this seven time NBA All Star and former Rookie of the Year also made an impact in the NBA. Although most of his Hall of Fame status was probably earned for his stellar play at Duke, this old school player also had some good years in the NBA too. His recovery from nagging health issues during the peak of his NBA tenure might be the things NBA fans are inspired by the most {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player had a very long tenure with several different teams, but might be remembered best for his stints with the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers. Although the 76ers were a great team without him, this player made them NBA champions in 1983. This Hall of Famer's impact was clearly the key piece to their success as he was named NBA Finals MVP that year as well. For as good of a scorer as he was, he earned the nickname "Chairman of the Boards" for his excellent rebounding ability {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is best known for being a great scorer with the Phoenix Suns during their most offensively productive era in the 2000's. Although his high flying scoring style slowed down when he was traded to the New York Knicks, this old school player remained fairly productive for the rest of his playing days. This six time NBA All Star and 2003 Rookie of the Year was also one of the last players to go to the NBA directly out of high school. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player is best known for his years with the Boston Celtics. He was one of the leaders of a 2008 team that won the NBA Championship. He was also the NBA Finals MVP that season as well. This perennial NBA All Star was arguably one of the most prolific scorers in the league during the 2000's. This former Kansas Jayhawk also made the All-Rookie team and was a four time All NBA player during his illustrious playing days. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player had high expectations when he first came into the league out of Syracuse. Although his play was good enough to earn him NBA Rookie of the Year in 1991, he didn't do much else that was particularly noteworthy. This doesn't necessarily mean this former New Jersey Net and Philadelphia 76er didn't play very well. He was a fairly consistent scorer and rebounder for many of the years he spent in the league, but only had 1 NBA All Star appearance and no NBA Championships to show for it. {Basketball Reference}
Who Is This Old School NBA Player?
This old school NBA player and former standout from the University of Michigan is probably best known for his excellent three point scoring ability. Although he was the main scoring threat for the Miami Heat early in his playing days, he never made an NBA All Star team until he got traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the mid 90's. His hard work finally paid off when he earned an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. He probably won't become a Hall of Famer, but he will always be remembered as a great player. {Basketball Reference}