NBA players wearing certain jersey numbers has always been an interesting topic. LeBron James recently switching to No. 6 was all over the news as the LA Lakers forward previously wore the no. 23.
Some brilliant NBA players have donned the iconic no. 13 jersey in their careers, ranging from yesteryear legends to present-day superstars.
If we were to make a starting five of the top NBA players to have worn the #13 kit, it would certainly be a favorite to win the championship in any era. The lineup would feature two Hall-of-Famers, with two modern stars who also stand a fair chance of getting in.
On that note, let's take a look at five NBA stars to have worn the no. 13 jersey:
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#5 James Harden
Brooklyn Nets' star James Harden is revered as one of the best players in the NBA.
Harden possesses the dual threat of being a top-level scorer and playmaker, apart from being a reliable defender in the post. The 'Beard' has averaged 25 points, five rebounds and six assists in his career, shooting 44% from the field and 36% from downtown.
Harden has played for the OKC Thunder, Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets thus far, but he hasn't won the NBA championship yet. He won the NBA MVP award in 2018, though, and that makes him one of the iconic players to have worn the no. 13 jersey.
#4 Paul George
Often referred to by his moniker 'Playoff P', Paul George has lived up to his name in the ongoing playoffs.
George, with the assistance of Reggie Jackson, has carried the LA Clippers to the Western Conference finals. He has put in stellar performances against the Mavericks, Jazz and Suns and will etch his name in history if he is able to lead the Clippers to two more wins against the Phoenix Suns.
Paul George has been a consistent player throughout his career and one of the best to have put on the #13 jersey.
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#3 Steve Nash
Currently the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Nash made his name as a point guard in the NBA.
Nash was a part of the '7 seconds or less' Phoenix Suns, which was coached by his current assistant Mike D'Antoni. He averaged 14 points and a whopping 8.5 assists in his career, leading the NBA in dimes on five occasions.
Steve Nash won back-to-back MVP awards as the Suns' starting point guard but could never lay his hands on the coveted Larry O'Brien championship. However, Nash still has time to win a ring, albeit as a head coach, though.
#2 Joakim Noah
The 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time NBA All-Star and a three-time NBA All-Defense player, Joakim Noah is a surprise package on this list. Once one of the best defensive players in the NBA, Noah doesn't play in the league anymore, but that doesn't make any of his past achievements less.
Joakim Noah was part of Tom Thibodeau's gritty Chicago Bulls team, which also featured the likes of 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose and star swingman Jimmy Butler.
#1 Wilt Chamberlain
Arguably, no player has ever dominated the NBA as Wilt Chamberlain did during his playing days. Chamberlain donned the #13 jersey throughout his playing career, and to be fair, he was the one who made the #13 an iconic number in the NBA.
Standing at an intimidating 7' 1", Wilt Chamberlain played the center position. He averaged as many as 50.4 points, 27.2 rebounds and 8.6 assists in a single season. He also led the NBA in those categories on seven occasions. Chamberlain was the 1960 Rookie of the Year, a four-time regular-season MVP and the 1972 Finals MVP and won two NBA titles.
Chamberlain is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, with his jersey being retired by three franchises - Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers.
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