NBA: The worst player from each franchise to have their jersey retired

NBA players, they do their best to focus on the here and now. Along the way, players are hopeful that they’ll be rewarded with All-Star appearances, MVPs, and of course, championship rings.</p> <p>The ultimate goal is to be recognized as a Hall of Famer. But, many of those great players are forever grateful whenever they get their jerseys hung up in rafters by a certain franchise forever.</p> <p>In some instances, we simply had a difficult time understanding why some franchises immortalized certain players with less than gaudy stats. So, with our heading spinning, we decided to take a look at every franchise and point out the worst player who has their jersey retired.</p> <p>Not every NBA franchise has retired their past great player’s numbers. The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors, for example, haven’t gone through with those ceremonies. Others, such as the Charlotte Hornets, have only one jersey retired, making it no point to include them on our list.</p> <p>With a few franchises disqualified for those very reasons, we’ve decided to focus on everyone else. Now that we’ve pointed out that not every franchise will be shown on this list, let’s jump right into things.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Atlanta Hawks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440261" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440261 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1847,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1214029280.jpeg" alt="Lou Hudson" width="1600" height="1847" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1214029280.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1214029280-768x887.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Lou Hudson (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Atlanta Hawks: Lou Hudson</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 22 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.9 apg</strong></p> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/atlanta-hawks/">Atlanta Hawks</a> aren’t exactly big on retiring jerseys. Though the franchise has been around for numerous decades, they have retired only five former players numbers. In total, Atlanta has seven Jerseys in their rafters but Kasim Reed was the former Mayor of Atlanta and Ted Turner was their team owner for over three decades, making both individuals unqualified in terms of who we should take off.</p> <p>With only Bob Petit, Dominique Wilkins, Lou Hudson, Pete Maravich, and Dikembe Mutombo to choose from, we were forced to point the finger at Hudson. In all, he was a terrific player. He spent 11 seasons with the franchise and wrapped up his career with averages of 20.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.</p> <p>At times, Hudson found himself near the top of the NBA scoring race as he scored over 25 points per game on four separate occasions. He was also a six-time All-Star and helped lead them to a long list of success in the playoffs.</p> <p>It pained us to say that Hudson was the worst player of the bunch but when we juxtaposed him to his fellow retired Hawks, his resume was simply the weakest.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Boson Celtics </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440260" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440260 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1878,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1360695167.jpeg" alt="Celtics logo" width="3200" height="1878" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1360695167.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1360695167-768x451.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Celtics logo (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Boston Celtics: Jim Loscutoff</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 6.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.7 apg</strong></p> <p>At this point, it’s becoming more and more difficult for players who decide to play for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/">Boston Celtics</a> to find a number. The franchise has had some of the best players in NBA history throw on their white and green uniforms. And, as a result, they have a ton of players who had their jerseys retired.</p> <p>For the most part, if your number is retired by the Celtics, chances are you’ll be walking into the Hall of Fame at some point. But, as we continued to through each name that’s raised to the rafters, we noticed that Jim Loscutoff simply shouldn’t be there and we consider him the weak link.</p> <p>Taken with the fourth overall pick in the 1955 NBA Draft, a lot was expected from Loscutoff. Yet, no matter how much playing time and opportunity he was given, he simply wasn’t that good.</p> <p>The most points Loscutoff ever averaged in a given season was 10.6, the lone year he cracked double figures. He also wasn’t much of a distributor, averaging 0.7 assists per game during his nine years with the team. If you were looking for someone who was at least efficient, don’t look in Loscutoff’s direction. His best shooting season came in his second to last and he only shot 37.5% from the field.</p> <p>Loscutoff was never an All-Star or All-NBA player. He was simply an insignificant piece on seven championship teams.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Brooklyn Nets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439123" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439123 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F12%2F937604844.jpeg" alt="Drazen Petrovic" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/12/937604844.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/12/937604844-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Drazen Petrovic (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Brooklyn Nets: Drazen Petrovic</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 19.5 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.8 rpg</strong></p> <p>There weren’t many who were expecting Drazen Petrovic to become a star. After all, he was taken with the 60th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. Still, after putting up a few meager stats during his time in Portland, Petrovic found a home with the New Jersey Nets.</p> <p>In two of his three seasons, he averaged over 20 points per game and appeared to be on his way to superstardom. During a time where long-distance shooting wasn’t considered a premium quality, Petrovic averaged over 44% from the 3-point line in back-to-back seasons.</p> <p>If given more time, we have little to no doubt that Petrovic would’ve made more than his share of All-Star appearances. But, unfortunately for Petrovic, his life was tragically cut short after only three seasons with the Nets due to a car accident.</p> <p>While we completely understand why the Nets decided to honor him, we never fully got to see Petrovic at his best.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Chicago Bulls </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440307" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440307 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2236,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F483679620.jpeg" alt="Jerry Sloan" width="3200" height="2236" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/483679620.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/483679620-768x537.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jerry Sloan (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Chicago Bulls: Jerry Sloan</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg</strong></p> <p>At times, NBA teams take the whole jersey retirement thing to an unnecessary level. Too many franchises have hung up former jerseys of players who simply don’t belong. But, in the case of the Chicago Bulls, they have only given away those sacred spots to their best players.</p> <p>Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were no-brainers. Jordan is considered by most as the game’s best player ever and is there a better all-around player than Pippen? That’s a rhetorical question, the answer is no.</p> <p>Bob Love was also given the jersey retirement nod. During his nine seasons in Chicago, he was named to three All-Star squads and averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 boards. The final member of the Bulls player retirement list is Jerry Sloan. Unfortunately for him, we believe he was the worst of the bunch.</p> <p>Sloan spent ten seasons in the Windy City and averaged 14.7 points and 7.7 boards. He wasn’t much of an offensive weapon but he did lock up on the other side of the ball, making four All-NBA Defensive selections. He did serve as a coach for the Bulls for three seasons but never led them to overwhelming success. By all accounts, Sloan is by far the weak link here.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cleveland Cavaliers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_435349" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-435349 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2126,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1285630230.jpeg" alt="Nate Thurmond" width="3200" height="2126" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1285630230.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1285630230-768x510.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Nate Thurmond (Photo by Mark Junge/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Cleveland Cavaliers: Nate Thurmond</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg</strong></p> <p>Nate Thurmond was a truly great player during the vast majority of his career. As a Golden State Warrior, Thurmond punished defenders on the glass by averaging 16.9 boards a game. On five separate occasions, he also averaged over 20 points a night.</p> <p>During the mid-1960s, you simply couldn’t have an All-Star Game without Thurmond’s name plastered on it. In addition to the All-Star appearances and gaudy numbers, Thurmond was named to both the top 50 and 75 Greatest players of all-time lists.</p> <p>So with all of the praise and adulation that we’re currently giving Thurmond, you’re probably asking why exactly do we consider him the weak link. Well, that’s an easy one, Thurmond was a shell of himself by the time he landed with Cleveland.</p> <p>In total, Thurmond only spent two seasons with the Cavaliers and his numbers were pretty awful as a result. He averaged just five points and 6.3 rebounds a night. If it was up to us, we would take his jersey down immediately.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dallas Mavericks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440311" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440311 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F987876544.jpeg" alt="Brad Davis" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/987876544.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/987876544-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Brad Davis (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Dallas Mavericks: Brad Davis</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 8.6 ppg, 5.1 apg</strong></p> <p>We’ll give Brad Davis credit, he spent well over three decades as a player and a coach in some capacity. But while we tip our cap to Davis for all his years of service to the Dallas franchise, having his jersey retired is something we simply can’t get on board with.</p> <p>Let us remind you, in our opinion, retired jerseys should be reserved for players and players only. If you want to honor Davis for being a part of the franchise for essentially half of his life then that’s fine, just don’t assign a number to his retirement. That’s because that would indicate that his play on the court was so awe-inspiring when it truly wasn’t.</p> <p>In 12 seasons as a Maverick, Davis averaged just 8.6 points and 5.1 assists per game. Although he started 396 of 883 games, Davis was never much of a factor. We will admit that he was a pretty good passer, averaging over six assists per game in numerous seasons. But, the Mavericks were never in the championship picture and only made the Western Conference Finals once in his career.</p> <p>Davis likely got his jersey retired for sentimental reasons but at this point, he doesn’t deserve it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Denver Nuggets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440312" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440312 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2129,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1278282315.jpeg" alt="Byron Beck (R)" width="3200" height="2129" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1278282315.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1278282315-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Byron Beck (R) (Photo by Mark Junge/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Denver Nuggets: Byron Beck</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 11.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.3 apg</strong></p> <p>If you’re getting your jersey retired by the Denver Nuggets, chances are, you were one helluva player. Every single hooper who laced em up for the franchise and had their jersey retired, was at some point an All-Star. Well, all but one.</p> <p>Byron Beck is the lone player in franchise history who wasn’t a marquee cornerstone to have his jersey retired. Although Beck spent the entirety of his career with the Nuggets in both the ABA and NBA, he didn’t exactly set the hooping world on fire. At his very best, Beck averaged 14.2 points and seven boards. Once the playoffs came rolling by, Beck took his game up a few notches. He had multiple seasons in which he averaged double-doubles but seldom did it have an effect on the way the game ultimately played out.</p> <p>Considering that we’re comparing Beck’s overall game to players such as Fat Lever, Dikembe Mutombo, Alex English, and several other All-Star caliber payers, Beck’s all-around game simply doesn’t come close to those aforementioned names.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Detroit Pistons </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440313" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440313 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F120981062.jpeg" alt="Vinnie Johnson" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/120981062.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/120981062-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Vinnie Johnson (Photo by Monica Morgan/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Detroit Pistons: Vinnie Johnson</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 12.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.3 apg</strong></p> <p>Vinnie Johnson sticks out like a sore thumb when we look up at the rafters on the home court of the Detroit Pistons. Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Richard Hamilton, and Bill Laimbeer were all All-Stars, most have won NBA titles, and a handful of them are considered some of the game’s most elite talents ever. Johnson protrudes to the front of the line as the least most impressive player that has his jersey retired by the Detroit franchise.</p> <p>Known for his play off the bench, Johnson could get hot and take over ball games with the best of them. There was a reason why he nicknamed the “Microwave”, simply put, it didn’t take him long to heat up.</p> <p>Still, for as great as he was off the bench, Johnson never took home a Sixth Man of the Year award. He was also never amongst the best players in the world. Johnson did play a pretty big role on two championship teams, averaging over 10 points per game in their back-to-back runs.</p> <p>But while we love his nickname and acknowledge that he’s arguably the most popular player in franchise history, he’s clearly the worst player that currently has his jersey retired by the Pistons.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_404753" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-404753 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1080,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F145016308.jpeg" alt="Al Attles" width="1600" height="1080" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/145016308.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/145016308-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Al Attles, Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Golden State Warriors: Al Attles</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg</strong></p> <p>If you took a moment and stared up at the rafters in the Golden State Warriors facility, you’ll see a who’s who of jerseys.</p> <p>Wilt Chamberlain averaged 41.5 points and 25.1 rebounds per game during his six seasons with the franchise. Chris Mullin dropped 20.1 points per game during his 13 seasons and Rick Barry gave defenders 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists a night in eight full seasons with the team. The name Al Attles, on the other hand, doesn’t quite have the stats that would suggest that his name should be mentioned amongst them.</p> <p>Attles spent a little over a decade with the Warriors franchise but his numbers were pretty disappointing. The former point guard averaged only 8.9 points per game. Now let’s make something clear, scoring isn’t the end all be all when it comes to the game of basketball. But unlike some players who were able to make up for their lack of scoring in other areas, Attles wasn’t one of those guys.</p> <p>Even with the ball in his hands for the majority of his time on the court, Attles only managed to average 3.5 dimes a night. By the time his career came to an end, Attles wasn’t selected to any All-Star Games, didn’t receive a single vote to be named to an All-NBA team, and never led his team to a championship. He’s by far the worst player in Warriors history to have their jersey retired.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_411512" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-411512 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_699,w_1022/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1155758904.jpeg" alt="Clyde Drexler" width="1022" height="699" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155758904.jpeg 1022w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155758904-768x525.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1022px) 100vw, 1022px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1022px;">Clyde Drexler (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Houston Rockets: Clyde Drexler</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 19 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.4 apg</strong></p> <p>No, no, no – we aren’t going to allow this to happen. Well, technically, it already did. Still, we’re going to attempt to set the record straight.</p> <p>Clyde Drexler is one of the greatest players in NBA history. The way he swooped to the basket and scored effortlessly was incredibly smooth. He was also as explosive as they come. Once he took his two steps and leaped off the ground, it was as though he had pogo sticks in his legs.</p> <p>But, regardless of the superlative words we’ve been using to describe him, Drexler is the worst player to have his Jersey retired in Houston Rockets history.</p> <p>If Drexler arrived in town when he was smack dab in the middle of his prime, we would never bring his name into the conversation. But the truth of the matter is, by the time Drexler was traded to the Rockets in the mid-1990s, he was 32 years old and would spend only three and a half seasons there.</p> <p>As for his numbers, Drexler averaged over 20 points per game only once as a Rocket. He was also only named to only two All-Star appearances.</p> <p>Drexler was a major reason why the Rockets pocketed a ring in 1995. But he simply didn’t have the staying power that names such as Yao Ming, Calvin Murphy, Moses Malone, and Hakeem Olajuwon. If, however, Drexler was much closer to his prime during his Rockets run, only Olajuwon would’ve been considered a better player out of the hoopers who got their jerseys retired for the franchise.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Indiana Pacers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_428389" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-428389 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1310618474.jpeg" alt="Indiana Pacers logo" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1310618474.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1310618474-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Indiana Pacers logo (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Indiana Pacers: George McGinnis</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 9.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg</strong></p> <p>We won’t sit here and deny the Hall of Fame credentials of George McGinnis. If we’re being completely honest, we couldn’t even if we tried. During his time in the league, McGinnis was nearly impossible to stop. He averaged 20.2 points per game to go along with 11 boards.</p> <p>By the time the curtains came down on his career, McGinnis was a six-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-ABA team member and he was easily named to the ABA All-Time Team. But, his time as an Indiana Pacer was forgettable.</p> <p>McGinnis arrived at the tail end of his career and his drop-off in production showed that he was on his last legs. He averaged just 9.4 points per game in three seasons and spent most of his time sitting on the bench.</p> <p>Was McGinnis one of the greatest players ever? He sure was but he was a shell of his former great self by the time he arrived in Indiana.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Lakers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439135" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439135 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F12%2F1335353652.jpeg" alt="Jamaal Wilkes" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/12/1335353652.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/12/1335353652-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jamaal Wilkes (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Los Angeles Lakers: Jamaal Wilkes</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 18.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 apg</strong></p> <p>It’s pretty crazy to think of but it’s absolutely true. Every single player who has their jersey retired by the Los Angeles Lakers has their name permanently etched amongst the best of the best in the Hall of Fame.</p> <p>While it was difficult to choose who amongst them was the worst player, we went with Jamaal Wilkes. There were a few reasons why we went with Wilkes. For starters, he was only a two-time All-Star during his playing days with the Lakers. Next up, while he did average 18.4 points per game, he simply wasn’t as prolific as players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, and everyone else who had their jersey retired by the Lakers.</p> <p>Wilkes was skilled but he was also pretty one-dimensional. Only once did he average more than seven boards a game for the franchise and passing was a foreign thing to him, routinely averaging less than three per game.</p> <p>It wasn’t one of our easiest choices but when push came to shove, we had no choice.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis Grizzlies </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440368" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440368 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2336,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F637996874.jpeg" alt="Tony Allen " width="3200" height="2336" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/637996874.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/637996874-768x561.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Tony Allen (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 8.9 ppg, 1.7 spg, 1.4 apg</strong></p> <p>This was an easy one for us. With only two jerseys currently housed in the rafters at the Memphis Grizzlies arena, it’s clear as day who was better.</p> <p>Tony Allen really made his mark in the league during his seven seasons in Memphis. The numbers weren’t exactly pretty though, averaging just 8.9 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Offense was never his thing, in fact, he never averaged double digits in the scoring column at any point during his time in Memphis.</p> <p>Allen was a defensive player through and through. In seven seasons, he was named to six All-Defensive squads. But, despite his ability to lock people down on one side of the floor, he was horrific on the other. Zach Randolph, on the other hand, was a walking double-double.</p> <p>With two All-Star appearances during his eight seasons and a nightly average of 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds, there was nothing anyone could do to stop Randolph once he got the ball on the inside. When he was in his prime, Randolph was a 20 and 11 guy. In seven of his eight seasons with Memphis, Randolph led them to the playoffs.</p> <p>Both Allen and Randolph were major players for the franchise but there’s simply no way the Grizzlies would’ve had that sort of success if it wasn’t for Randolph.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Miami Heat </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440374" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440374 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1138509885.jpeg" alt="Chris Bosh" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1138509885.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1138509885-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Chris Bosh (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Miami Heat: Chris Bosh</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 18 ppg, 7.3 rpg</strong></p> <p>The Miami Heat have reserved spots in the rafters for only the best of the best. Tim Hardaway, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, and Alonzo Mourning all played their part in bringing the franchise to the top of the charts.</p> <p>But, since we’re focusing on picking the worse player to have their jersey retired in the history of every franchise, we were forced to shine the unwanted spotlight on Chris Bosh.</p> <p>In six seasons with the Heat, Bosh averaged 18 points and 7.3 boards. He was also an All-Star in every season that he was a part of the franchise but most of his success has to be pinned onto the shoulders of both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.</p> <p>With both of those future Hall of Famers by his side, Bosh felt more like an inconsequential piece on a championship team as opposed to a true difference-maker. In the NBA Finals, for example, Bosh averaged just 14.7 points per game in 23 games. He did, of course, help lead the franchise to four straight appearances in those Finals to go along with two championships. But many, including us, believe that the success of the Heat would’ve remained the same had Bosh been there or not.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_401653" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-401653 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1191710304.jpeg" alt="Milwaukee Bucks logo" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1191710304.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1191710304-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Milwaukee Bucks logo (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Milwaukee Bucks: Junior Bridgeman</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 13.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg</strong></p> <p>Junior Bridgeman was thought of highly coming into the 1975 NBA Draft, so much so that the Milwaukee Bucks decided to trade for him once the Los Angeles Lakers grabbed him with the eighth overall pick.</p> <p>The expectations were high for Bridgeman. And while we aren’t saying he was a flop, we’re pretty baffled as to why his jersey is retired when we look at his numbers and lack of accomplishments.</p> <p>The former shooting guard spent a decade wearing those dark green uniforms but averaged just 13.9 points per game. Bridgeman was crafty with the rock in his hands and relentless when attacking the basket but Milwaukee has retired the jerseys some of the greatest players of all time. When we juxtapose him to Oscar Robertson, Sidney Moncrief, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and others, Bridgeman is by far the worst player to have his jersey retired by the Bucks franchise.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New York Knicks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_428543" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-428543 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2137,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F05%2F1310950513.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks logo" width="3200" height="2137" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/05/1310950513.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/05/1310950513-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">New York Knicks logo (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, New York Knicks: Dick McGuire</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.2 rpg</strong></p> <p>It’s time for us to knock down a few conceptions about Dick McGuire. Although the former Knicks point guard walks the streets of New York and routinely receives a hero’s welcome, he is the worst player in franchise history to have their jersey retired.</p> <p>It’s a bit difficult to throw McGuire under the bus but as we look at his statistical numbers, he was widely overrated. In eight seasons, McGuire averaged eight points and 5.7 assists. To make matters worse, he shot only 38% from the field. Yet, despite the pedestrian numbers, McGuire was a five-time All-Star and Hall of Famer.</p> <p>There were no distinguishing qualities about McGuire. He wasn’t a terrific passer, wasn’t an efficient scorer, and wasn’t stout on the defensive end. So, while Dick Barnett and Bill Bradley, are on the lower end of the totem pole in terms of players who have their jerseys retired by the franchise, McGuire was far and away the worst of the bunch.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Philadelphia 76ers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440366" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440366 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F924266548.jpeg" alt="Bobby Jones " width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/924266548.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/924266548-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Bobby Jones (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Philadelphia 76ers: Bobby Jones</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg</strong></p> <p>The Philadelphia 76ers are a proud franchise. While they aren’t considered one of the more successful organizations due to their lack of championships, the amount of all-time greats that have walked through their doors and thrown on their jersey is outrageous.</p> <p>Just take a look at who played for the franchise and have their jerseys retired. Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, and Wilt Chamberlain were in the midst of their respective primes when they hooped for the 76ers. Malone, Barkley, and Chamberlain dominated on the inside while players such as Iverson and Erving dominated on the outside.</p> <p>Even some of their players who weren’t as ballyhooed such as Hal Greer and Mo Cheeks were fairly dominant during their time with the franchise. But while each of those players held their own, we question the legitimacy of Bobby Jones’ jersey being hung in the rafters. In eight seasons, Jones averaged only 10.7 points per game.</p> <p>Scoring wasn’t his specialty but the defensive side of the ball surely was. He made six defensive teams during his time with the franchise and was considered one of the best defenders in the league. While we respect Jones for getting after it on that side of the ball, he’s the worst player to have their jersey retired by the 76ers by far.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Phoenix Suns </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440364" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440364 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1059,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F110065933.jpeg" alt="Dan Majerle (L)" width="1600" height="1059" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/110065933.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/110065933-768x508.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Dan Majerle (L) (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Phoenix Suns: Dan Majerle</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 13.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.1 apg</strong></p> <p>The NBA record books are littered with award winners from the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, and Kevin Johnson have three collective MVPs, a Most Improved Player award, and 13 All-Star selections. Not bad for the trio who have their jerseys retired with the Suns franchise.</p> <p>Phoenix has a long list of players who contributed in a huge way. But, in our opinion, the one player who should be viewed as the worst amongst them is Dan Majerle.</p> <p>All in all, Majerle was beloved by the fanbase like no other and he was a three-time All-Star. But, more than anything, he was an energetic defender and decent scorer but he wasn’t a game-changer. He wasn’t a player that could lead a team to a championship. Although he should be considered one of the Suns greatest players of all time, he’s at the bottom of the barrel when we compare him to the other players who have their jerseys retired.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440363" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440363 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1342091821.jpeg" alt="Larry Steele" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1342091821.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1342091821-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Larry Steele (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Portland Trail Blazers: Larry Steele</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 8.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg</strong></p> <p>For the most part, NBA teams have retired the jerseys of some of the game’s greatest players ever. As we took a look at several of those franchises during our research, we noticed something about the Portland Trail Blazers, they don’t have the most impressive names hanging in their rafters.</p> <p>Bob Gross, Dave Twardzik, and Larry Steele prove our point. Each of those players has had their jerseys retired by the Portland franchise but they were all inconsequential hoopers in the grand scheme of things, at least on the court. None of those players made an All-Star appearance and neither of those guys even averaged double figures for their career scoring average. Amongst them, in our opinion, Steele was the least impressive.</p> <p>The former shooting guard spent the entirety of his career in Portland but only averaged double figures in the scoring column just once. He wasn’t a hard-nosed defender and he wasn’t a creative passer. Steele scored most of his baskets on the break and in garbage time. We suppose due to his longevity with the team, he was rewarded by having his jersey retired but in our opinion, that doesn’t make any sense.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sacramento Kings </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440354" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440354 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1288,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1198751741.jpeg" alt="Vlade Divac" width="1600" height="1288" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1198751741.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1198751741-768x618.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Vlade Divac (Photo by MATT ROURKE/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Sacramento Kings: Vlade Divac</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 11.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg</strong></p> <p>Not only are we incredulous to Vlade Divac having his jersey retired by the Sacramento Kings, but we also find it hard to believe that he has a permanent spot in the Hall of Fame. While we would love to focus on the latter, that wouldn’t be the point of this article.</p> <p>Throughout his time as a Sacramento King, Divac had solid but not overwhelming numbers. He averaged 11.4 points, 7.8 boards, and 1.2 blocks in six seasons.</p> <p>Despite his enormous size and silky-smooth skills, Divac was never the sort of player where you could dump the ball into his lap and ask him to score the ball early and often. Instead, Divac was more of a distributor. The big man did average a shade under four assists per game and quite frankly, he’s considered one of the best shooting big men of all time.</p> <p>Still, while we laud his passing skills and under-the-radar passing ability, his numbers can’t compare to the likes of Oscar Robertson, Chris Webber, and others who have their jerseys sitting in the rafters.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> San Antonio Spurs </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440356" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440356 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1076,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1615708.jpeg" alt="Avery Johnson" width="1600" height="1076" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1615708.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1615708-768x516.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Avery Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, San Antonio Spurs: Avery Johnson</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 10.1 ppg, 6.9 apg, 1.1 spg</strong></p> <p>Over the years, the San Antonio Spurs have rightfully gained the reputation as being one of the best and most hallowed franchises ever.</p> <p>While players such as Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, George Gervin, and David Robinson all earned the right to have the jerseys hanging in the rafters, there are a few puzzling names amongst them.</p> <p>Bruce Bowen spent eight seasons with the San Antonio franchise but only averaged 6.4 points per game. While we thought long and hard about considering him the worst player to have his jersey retired by the Spurs, we couldn’t pull the trigger. Mostly because he did make five All-NBA Defensive teams.</p> <p>Undoubtedly, the worst player to have his jersey in the Spurs rafters is Avery Johnson. The diminutive guard averaged just 10.1 points per game. He was never creative at getting his own but he was one helluva defender. Still, he should be considered the worst player to have his jersey retired in Spurs history.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Utah Jazz </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440357" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440357 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1232,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F874725772.jpeg" alt="Jeff Hornacek" width="1600" height="1232" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/874725772.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/874725772-768x591.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Jeff Hornacek (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Utah Jazz: Jeff Hornacek</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 14.4 ppg, 4 apg, 2.8 rpg</strong></p> <p>For some players, it’s fairly difficult fitting into a star-studded roster. During Jeff Hornacek’s time as a member of the Phoenix Suns, he slowly but surely became one of the better shooting guards in the league.</p> <p>The 1991-92 season saw Hornacek average a career-high 20.1 points per game on an efficient 52.2% shooting from the field and 43.9% from behind the arc. With his star power climbing higher and higher, Hornacek was sent to the Utah Jazz where he would have no choice but to play third banana behind Karl Malone and John Stockton.</p> <p>As a player who was forced to wait his turn in the scoring pecking order, Hornacek had a great career during his seven-year run with the team. He averaged 14.4 points and 1.3 steals. He was also a key member on back-to-back teams that made the NBA Finals.</p> <p>Hornacek simply can’t compete with some of the all-time greats that have worn a Utah Jazz jersey. Truth be told, we were stuck between Hornacek and Darrell Griffith but considering that Griffith spent three more seasons in Utah, averaged more points, and won Rookie of the Year, we gave him the nod, making Hornacek the worst player to have his jersey retired in Utah Jazz history.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Washington Wizards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440358" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-440358 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F01%2F1337166294.jpeg" alt="Phil Chenier" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1337166294.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/01/1337166294-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Phil Chenier (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Each franchise worst player to have their jersey retired, Washington Wizards: Phil Chenier</h2> <p><strong>Stats: 17.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg</strong></p> <p>Phil Chenier was pretty smooth with the rock in his hands. He constantly broke down defenders before making his way to the hoop to lay the ball in. During his time as a Wizard, he was a three-time All-Star and gave defenders hell in the playoffs, routinely averaging over 20 points per game.</p> <p>Throughout the 70s and 80s, he was a difficult cover for just about everyone. So while we did our best to pump him up, unfortunately, we have to somewhat tear him down.</p> <p>For as great as Chenier was, he wasn’t Hall of Fame material, unlike the other names who have their jerseys hanging in the rafters at the Wizards arena. Wes Unseld, Gus Johnson, Elvin Hayes, and Earl Monroe were all iconic figures for the franchise and at some point, they were considered near the top of the NBA food chain. Chenier was a great player with a terrific all-around game but he simply couldn’t compete with those previously mentioned names.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA: Ranking the league’s best third options" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/25/nba-ranking-the-leagues-best-third-options/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/08/worst-players-jerseys-retired/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/25/nba-ranking-the-leagues-best-third-options/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA: Ranking the league’s best third options </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">