There have been a number of NBA players who have blessed the hardwood while rocking their fantastic face fur. With style being one of the most popular in the NBA in the past couple of years, it only makes sense that some players sport their beards with pride.
There is no scientific evidence that proves having facial hair makes you a better player. So why do some of these multi-millionaire superstars keep a beard that makes them look homeless? It all about expression, man. It's not just a "trend," but rather a huge part of who these players are.
In this list, we will look at the top 10 current beards blessing the NBA hardwood.
10. Quincy Acy
Quincy Acy isn't a star player by any means, and his most recent claim to fame may be when he was on the New York Knicks and threw a punch at all-star point guard John Wall. However, there is no denying the thickness of the Brillo pad resting on this man's face. Maybe if he shaves the beard he'll play better? This season, he's averaging 4.7 points per game in just over 14 minutes.
9. Reggie Evans
Oh, how the world has turned. How can two players who make the top 10 NBA beard list be on the same team and not have a record over 500? Easy: when the teammates are Reggie Evans and Quincy Acy. Don't get me wrong, Evans has been a tenacious rebounder throughout his 13-year NBA career. This man eats boards. What's even more impressive is his beard. Through 16 minutes per game this seasons, Evans is averaging 3.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Time to shave, big guy?
8. Nene
Nene is the definition of a solid big man. Through his 13-year NBA Career, he's put up averages of at least 10 points per game and anywhere between 5 and 8 rebounds per game. Nene is a great energy guy, and it's obvious that he stores the energy in his beautiful Brazilian beard. This season, he's averaging 11 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game in just over 25 minutes.
7. Tyson Chandler
Perhaps toward the end of his impressive career, Tyson Chandler is a man who deserves respect. He's an all-star, defensive player of the year award winner and, perhaps most importantly, an NBA Champion. He has been a great defensive center his whole career, and he's one of the toughest players of his generation. Oh, he has a pretty neat beard as well. In his 15th season in the NBA, Chandler is averaging 12.8 rebounds and 9.7 points per game. Not too bad for a 33-year-old.
6. Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer reminds me a lot of Tyson Chandler, except with a better offensive game. Boozer is a man who has accumulated two all-star game honors in a long 14-year NBA career. He is also a gold medal winner with the 2008 USA Men's Basketball Team. Boozer has been a solid big man throughout his NBA career, and has helped his teams win crucial games. As his skills will start to diminish with time, his beard will continue to grow. In just under 24 minutes per game this season, Boozer is averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds.
5. Spencer Hawes
Shout out to the former Philadelphia 76er right here. Other than winning a gold medal in the 2006 junior under-18 Men's USA Basketball tournament, his NBA career has been pretty boring. Spencer Hawes has put up decent numbers, but only when on scrub teams. He's moved around a lot during his career, but one thing is staying, and it's his beard. In 18.7 minutes per game this season, Hawes is averaging 4.3 rebounds and 6 points per game
4. Nikola Mirotic
No, ladies and gentleman, this isn't Andrew Luck holding a basketball. This is Chicago Bulls power forward Nikola Mirotic. Mirotic has had an impressive stint oversea's before transitioning into the NBA. He's a young talent, and known for his scoring. He has a pretty good jump-shot, and an even fluffier beard. He has two gold medals under his belt, and was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team in 2015. This season, he is averaging 10.6 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game in just under 24 minutes.
3. Chris Anderson
The Birdman. His whole body is an expression in itself. His beautiful beard, his amazing mohawk, his colorful body that is a canvas of tattoos and his height that makes him one of the NBA's top shot blockers through the past 10 years. He's an NBA Champion, and a fan favorite. He has had drug issues in the past, but has cleaned up his act. He is a strict role player, and not much of anything else. This season, Andersen is averaging 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
2. Steven Adams
This dude looks like Super Mario and Joakim Noah had a baby. Fun fact: he's 22. That is it. He still has plenty of NBA career left, and he's a young talent on one of the best teams in the NBA. He has plenty of time to develop, but he hasn't really established any one trait of dominance so far. He kind of just checks into the game, and does a little of everything, floating around. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013, and seems to have a pretty bright future in the NBA. Will he keep the mustache? Only time will tell. This season, Adams is averaging 7.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in just under 25 minutes.
And now, ladies and gentleman, the moment you have all been waiting for...
1. James Harden
I mean, come on. Is this really a surprise? James Harden is one of the best players in the NBA. He is a scoring machine, and gets to the foul line more than any other player in the NBA. He has two gold medals, four all-star nods and has really established himself as the best shooting guard in the NBA. His facial hair is just a bonus.
