Los Angeles has churned out many great NBA players over the years and has a strong case to be regarded as the best basketball hotbed in the world. DeMar DeRozan is just one of the many to come out of the area and during an appearance on First Take , he was asked to share his LA basketball Mount Rushmore.
"I'mma take myself out of it," DeRozan said . "I'mma go with James Harden. I'mma go with Russell Westbrook. I'mma go with Kawhi (Leonard). I'mma go with Klay (Thompson)."
I think James Harden , Russell Westbrook , and Kawhi Leonard are fairly easy selections. While all three have faced some criticism for a variety of reasons in recent years, there is no denying they're among the greatest players of their generation.
Harden is a 10-time All-Star who has won an MVP, three scoring titles, and two assists titles. He has career averages of 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game and made the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
Westbrook has also made the 75th Anniversary Team and is a nine-time All-Star who has won an MVP, two scoring titles, and three assists titles. He has put up career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, and is the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles with 199.
Leonard is another member of the 75th Anniversary team and is a six-time All-Star who has won two titles, two Finals MVPs, and two DPOY awards. He has averaged 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game for his career.
Those are some very impressive resumes and the trio's greatness ensures there is really only one spot up for grabs. DeRozan went with Klay Thompson for that final spot and he certainly deserves to be part of the conversation.
Thompson is a five-time All-Star who has won four NBA championships, more than the other three combined. He has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, and is one of the greatest shooters we have ever seen.
That said, I think there are a couple of players who might have an argument to get in there over him, with Paul George being one of them. George hasn't won titles like Thompson but is a nine-time All-Star who has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game.
Reggie Miller is another player who I believe has to be in contention. Miller was a five-time All-Star who finished his career with averages of 18.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. He made the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team as well.
Paul Pierce has a strong case for that final spot too. Pierce was a 10-time All-Star who won a title and a Finals MVP. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in his career and made the 75th Anniversary Team.
Leaving out either of these four from LA's basketball Mount Rushmore doesn't quite seem right, but it once again speaks to just how many talented players have come out of the area. I didn't even mention the likes of Gail Goodrich and Marques Johnson, who you can also make a case for, to get in there. If I had to make a pick, I might go with Pierce but there is no wrong answer here.
Related: DeMar DeRozan On Potentially Retiring As A Raptor: “You Can’t Turn Down Something Like That”
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