To find the top players in NBA history that wore a particular number we must first look to the Hall of Fame to see which of the enshrined have played with this particular number. Here is a list of the NBA Number 21s that have been enshrined.
- Rick Adelman
- Dave Bing
- Vlade Divac
- Tim Duncan
- Bobby Jones
- Slick Leonard
- Moses Malone
- Bob McAdoo
- Earl Monroe
- Bill Sharman
- Dominique Wilkins
Dave Bing - NBA HOF Guard
Born November 24, 1943, in Washington D.C., was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard Dave Bing. This legend played for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Bullets, and the Boston Celtics over the span of his 12 seasons in the NBA. Bing was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, and was chosen as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He averaged 20.3 points and six assists per game for his career.
Kevin Garnett
Born May 19, 1976, in Greenville, South Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player Kevin Garnett. KG was also know as the "Big Ticket" during his playing career in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves (for two stints), Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Garnett was both a Power Forward and a Center during his career for 21 seasons as he scored 26071 points, dished out 5445 assists, crashed the boards for 14662 rebounds, blocked 2037 shots and averaged 17.8 points per contest played for his career.
Earl Monroe
Born November 21, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard Earl Monroe. This legend was known by many endearing nicknames like Earl The Pearl, Black Jesus, Black Magic, Einstein, The Lord’s Prayer, Thomas Edison, and The Magic Man. Monroe lived up to the hype as he was a four-time NBA ALL-Star, a Rookie of the Year in 1967-68, and was selected to be on the 2017 NBA 75th Anniversary Top 100 Players list. He was a master at handling the ball and contributed over 18 points and 3.9 assists per game on average during the span of his fourteen seasons in the League.
Dominique Wilkins
Born January 12, 1960 in Paris, France - Dominique Wilkins, American Basketball Hall of Fame forward was a nine time NBA All Star from 1986–94 of the Atlanta Hawks. Dominique was also selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team. The prolific player wire Number 21 for most of his career. He was the NBA scoring champion 1986, won the annual NBA Slam Dunk Contest 1985 and 90 with his signature take-it-to-the-hole style. "The Human Highlight film" also played for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs during his career, but I think most of us remember him as a Hawk.
Bob McAdoo
Born September 25, 1951 in Greensboro, North Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center/Forward, Bob McAdoo.Mac was a 6'9" forward with a versatile offensive game. He could score from the inside or the outside, and he was one of the best free throw shooters in NBA history. McAdoo was also a skilled rebounder, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game for his career. Bob was found on the NBA rosters of the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers."Doo" was one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. He played for seven different teams over 14 seasons, averaging 22.1 points per game for his career. McAdoo was a five-time All-Star, a two-time NBA scoring champion, and the 1975 NBA MVP.
McAdoo's best season came in 1974-75, when he led the Buffalo Braves to the playoffs and averaged 34.5 points per game. He was named the NBA MVP for his performance.
McAdoo's career was slowed down by injuries in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but he still managed to play at a high level. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and 1985.
McAdoo retired from the NBA in 1986. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
