Apr 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Over the course of NBA history, countless superstars have left their mark on the game. While each of them deserves to be celebrated in their own light, some are objectively better than others. Of course, that doesn’t make ranking them any less challenging.
This week, sharpshooter Klay Thompson became the latest to provide his list when he was asked for his NBA Mount Rushmore. Without hesitation, he made his picks for each of the four spots: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry.
“MJ, Kobe, LeBron, Steph,” said Thompson on stream with PlaqueBoyMax. “Just because I was able to watch all of them, growing up. I like the impact each of them had on the game and the style of play. I wasn’t alive to watch Wilt, or Larry, or Magic, or Bill Russell. So, like, from my own eyes, it’s those four.”
A “Mount Rushmore” spot is typically reserved for not just the best players, but those who have made the biggest impact on the game. The answer always varies from person to person, but some players have a stronger case than others. For Klay Thompson, the picks were limited to players he actually got to watch, disqualifying legends like Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
The easiest pick was Michael Jordan, and it was the first name out of Klay’s mouth. The Chicago Bulls legend has one of the best resumes in the sport as a six-time champion, five-time MVP, and 14x All-Star. Over 15 years in the league, he averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 49.7% shooting from the field. As one of the best players of all-time, Michael transcended the sport and reached levels of fame that have yet to be matched. In many ways, he defined an entire era of the game, and his impact is still being felt today.
Kobe Bryant was the next name on Thompson’s Mount Rushmore, and it came as no surprise. He’s been a fan of Kobe for many years, and the Lakers star had a big influence on his career. Judging his career can often be divisive, but his accomplishments speak for themselves as a five-time champion, two-time scoring leader, and 18x All-Star. To this day, he’s often recognized as the closest player to Michael Jordan, and his legacy continues to inspire countless athletes around the world.
“Rest in peace, Kobe. I was a huge Kobe fan. He skipped traffic through the air,” Klay said on stream.
The next mention for this subjective Mount Rushmore is LeBron James, another easy selection. As the king of longevity and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, his career has surpassed all previous precedents. The 41-year-old forward, who is still active today, boasts career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 50.7% shooting. He’s also a four-time champion, four-time MVP, and a 21x All-NBA player.
Finally, there’s the pick we were all expecting: Stephen Curry. As a former Warrior who played a crucial role in their recent title runs, Klay has firsthand experience with Curry, and he knows more than most how special he is. Over 17 years in the NBA (and counting), Curry is averaging 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 47.1% shooting from the field. As the greatest three-point shooter ever, he fundamentally changed the NBA forever, ushering in a three-point revolution that continues to this day. If that’s not enough, he’s also a four-time champion, two-time MVP, and 12x All-Star.
Ultimately, everyone’s Mount Rushmore will look different, but it’s hard to argue with Klay’s selections. While you could make a case for a big man like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Wilt Chamberlain, Thompson only included the players that he got to watch play for himself. Fortunately, he’s living at the right time to watch some of the greatest athletes we’ve ever seen dominate the sport, and there’s no question they are worthy of special recognition.