All-Time Starting 5
Laughing at Charles?
So, I used to do this all the time when I was little: I would rack my brain and come up with the 5 people from that year that I would build my team with. I have an affinity for guys who do the ‘little things’ so they would litter my list.
But I would pick them all and that would be it. I didn’t write them down. I didn’t do squat with it.
It was just fun for me.
(No, I wasn’t a loser.)
But now, since I’m a member of The Starting Five, I thought it’d be fitting to do the same.
I put this out there for everyone taking a peek at TSF:
Compile your All-Time Starting 5.
Point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
Current players can be picked as well as old-school greats.
And there has to be that one cat on the team who is NOT a superstar. You have to have at least one dude who’s not going to the HOF on ya squad.
Oh, yeah…Get creative. This is not meant to be monotonous. If you have a fave of yours and you wanna put him on, then put him on!
So what if you were as high on Sam Bouie as the Blazers were. Put him on!
If you loved Olawakandi as much as the Clippers, put him on!
If you like Shizz Bradley as much as P-H-I did, put him on!
Don’t be lame.
So, Imma make my list and I hope yall follow suit.
Let the hatin commence.
My All-Time S5:
PG: Earvin Johnson- The man who defined Showtime is my pick here. The man’s name is MAGIC…’nuff said.
SG: Kobe Bryant- “Slam Dunk Giant/ Outplay the Kob/ Son, don’t try it.” I know I’m not the only one that thought that Sprite commercial was hot. Anyway, I think a backcourt of “The Closer” and “Magic” would be deadly. Yeah, I know “Air” played the two–nah, I know “Air” was the two– but I love Kobe’s game (even though he might be swagger-jackin’ from MJ a lil bit.)
SF: Dominique Wilkins- The best dunker of his era. But an underrated player in his own right. I know his name speaks for itself, but ‘Nique used to get it DONE. My mom loved him so much that I was going to be named after him…I’m SO thankful she changed her mind.
PF: Rick Mahorn- This man had to have the baddest intentions on the hardwood of anyone I’ve ever seen play. And he didn’t discriminate. Anybody could get it. In fact, everybody probably did get it. His picks would be devastating with Magic and Kobe coming off of them and he’d play his position proper. Not to mention he’d be Windex and clean the offensive and defensive glass.
C: Hakeem Olajuwon- “The Dream” and his repertoire of moves was uncanny. He’s one of the best pivots I’ve ever seen play. He used to give “The Admiral”" everything and Hakeem could ask Shaq how HIS a– tastes, because Hakeem took Shaq to the wood shed. The “Dream Shake” was unstoppable.
That’s my 5.
Get your 5.
I got now…
PG – John Stockton – In addition to being an assist king, Stockton was one of the dirtiest players in the game. He was like a little chiauhua that bit you in the nuts when the refs weren’t looking.
SG – Jordan – The greatest to ever do it. He stuck a dagger in your heart 95% of the time.
SF – ‘Nique ( I gotta swagger jack you on that, excellent choice)
PF – Dennis Rodman – You don’t need a team with 5 offensive powers, it causes friction. Rodman was one of the hardest working defensive players and pure rebounders ever. I remember him locking down Shaq plenty of times, and dude was 6’7 at BEST.
C – Shaq – Speaking of Shaq…. I’ll take the year 2000-2001 version.. He was an absolute beast. Hakeem took baby shaq to the woodshed… not prime shaq.
PG – Zeke: a nasty, fearless leader of men, good traits to have on the court, not so good off it. (Tiny Archibald is running a close second here – anyone five foot seven, from NYC, and leading the league in both scoring and assists is a bad bad man.)
SG – George Gervin – my favorite player growing up. Long after he retired I still rocked the poster with him sittin in the ice chair, and the other one of him giving the finger roll (while some hapless defender – can’t remember who – tasted the vine…) Sprewell comes in second here – I respect any Black person who’s not afraid to choke a white man.
SF – Dr. J – my second favorite player growing up. The blowout fro during the ABA days was an inspiration. (Jamaal Wilkes is running second – “Cornbread, Earl, and Me changed my life, man… Ron Artest is coming in third – see the above comment on Spree.)
PF – I kinow you said one of the five had to be a glue guy, but I never rooted for glue guys, I can’t think of any now, and so I’m sticking Larry Nance here – just another player whose game I liked.
C – Since you took Dream, I’ll go with Patrick Ewing because I’m a Knicks fan AND I also remember the “Big” John Thompson Hoyas, and ALL Black teens in those days had a Hoya hat, t-shirt, Starter jacket, scribbled “G’town Hoyas” on our Converse sneakers, SOMETHING! I also like Deek because, hey, you gotta respect a man who builds a hospital in the Congo. Bill Russell played pro ball Up South for 13 years, you gotta respect that, too.
So there it is.
Dammit, if I had any sense at all, I would never have forgotten GP at the 1 – a cat that would talk about you so bad he’d make you want to take your ball and go home – and BERnard King at the 3 – no more words need be spoken, cat is still a God in NYC, ask Modi.
Now ya’ll know this is gonna be a Philly thing so….
PG: Mo Cheeks was an absolute bulldog on defense–which people forget. The reticent alchemist original (Dre Miller the next), ran the offense the way it should be run. How many dunks does Earl Cureton, Bobby and Caldwell Jones get because of his wing passing savvy after rippin’ cats like DJ, Fat Lever and Norm Nixon? GP second. He taught Jason Kidd everything he knows. Plus my sister dug how the brotha chewed his gum
SG: Andrew Toney, Andrew Toney, Andrew Toney. Poet, he was Bernard King Broad and Pattison. The Boston Strangler and the Lost Angeles soul shaker would put up 49…not 50…just so you know. Perfect compliment to Doc and Cheeks. Michael Jordan is second because he didn’t have to do that to Barkley, Hersey Hawkins and Johnny Dawkins. That team was legit and could have gone all the way.
SF: Julius Erving. Kobe’s Grandfather changed the game. He was Mike’s night light after a horror flick before the mainstream Mike liked J.J. Reddick..figadeal me? ‘Nique second. The only player I was afraid of when he came to Philly. He would bang it on your Pops…with your Mom there. Ooops Larry
PF: Juice on the loose, electric wire…Simple and plain…give me the lane…I’ll throw it down your throat like Barkley. See the car keys, you’ll never get these….
Chuck had the dunk face off the rebound before the mind of the defense was in transition. Don’t get caught under the rim. Just ask Deek.
Second? I gotta go with Webber (you didn’t have to do that at the : 40 second mark Webb). Especially because I’m rockin the blue Michigan four as I type. Any power forward who could get a triple double whenever and against whoever (pre injury of course) is my mans.
Center: Moses Malone. Relentless on the boards. Imagine a front line of Doc, Barkley and Moses in 84. Goodness. When the Sixers signed him, it was a wrap and I’m not talking like a KG, Jesus Shuttlesworth wrap…I mean a 1 lost in the 83 post season wrap.
Two is a toss up between Kareem and Dream. Gotta go with the 7 foot two guard.
LOL…..I have to give it up to you guys from Philly….your hometown biasness is only matched by your hometown loyalty.
Ok, on a serious note, my top 5 is as follows:
PG (Magic Johnson) – Ok, this was a toss-up between he and Isiah. At the end of the day, I looked at both of their careers and saw that Magic had been to the Finals 9 times. Also, the guy was basically a “coach” on the floor. No one had better court vision and no one could set up his teammates the way Magic did. Probably had the highest basketball IQ of all the players i’ve ever seen.
SG (Michael Jordan) – Now with this one it shouldn’t even be a dilemma. I shouldn’t even have to explain why. But just for sake of discussion, i’ll do so anyway
. The guy had no weakness in his overall game. Some even argue that not only was he the best offensive player ever but also best defensive player ever (I don’t agree with the latter but that’s saying a lot). On the biggest stage, no one elevated their game (and his team) like he did. When the game was on the line, there’s no one who thrived in those moments more than he. Teams knew he was going to get the ball but they still couldn’t stop him…..no one could. He’s the best there ever was and the best there ever will be.
SF (Larry Bird) – Ok, I really hated this guy and the Celtics when I was growing up. As I got older, I learned to appreciate just how good he really was. Other than Jordan, there was no one else who was more “clutch” with the game on the line. To say Bird was not athletic and that all he could do is shoot and score down low is incorrect. He was not a great athlete, but he had quickness, good balance and was very strong for a small forward. He was an effective man to man defender and like many great players, had a knack for drifting out and getting steals. He was also one of the best passing non-point guards ever.
PF (Karl Malone) – I couldn’t stand watching him play in Utah. Until I saw him play in person did I learn to appreciate and respect how hard he worked in the paint. The guy was a beast and a helluva defender. One of the most underrated defenders ever, in my opinion. If not for MJ and the Bulls, he might have had 2 rings to complete his career. In my opinion, he’s the best PF ever to play the game.
C (Hakeem Olajuwon) – His nickname was “The Dream” but for opposing centers, he was the “Nigerian Nightmare”. His low-post game was “sic” and his athleticism at the center position was way ahead of his time. I’ve seen him blow right by forwards off the dribble when caught in a mis-match on the perimeter. Being mentored by Moses Malone, he developed a turn-around, fade-away shot that was unstoppable. He’s probably the best defensive center i’ve ever seen. Many say Bill Russell was but i never saw Russ play. And what Hakeem did on the defensive end had never been seen before. The Dream was like Jordan at the center position…..virtually unstoppable.
I’ll take this 5, put it up against any other five and bust their asses.
Hutuapo (peace)…..
Magic at the 1
Jordan at the 2
Bird at the 3
McHale at the 4
Wilt at the 5
magic creates matchup problems, and can distribute
jordan is jordan and a beast on d
bird can shoot
mchale is a beast and awkward to defend
and wilt bones all the groupies
TLP – How dare you forget THE KING!
Here’s my S5:
PG: Sidney Moncrief: This dude used to give the 76ers fits, he held his own against the bigger guards and was an underrated defender.
SG: Andrew Toney: I always wonder of “what if medical science was more advanced back then” but for the time that he played very few at his position were as good at both ends of the floor.
SF: James Worthy: “Big Game James” is the reason the SF position is my favorite. Played like a PF at times.
PF: Kevin Willis: This is my “glue guy” Willis was a solid defender, would pound the boards and give the hard foul. And had the biggest arms in the league.
C: Moses Malone: C’mon, dead giveaway to anyone who knows me.
damn I go over this with my pops every basketball season. he kills me with the old school picks and just loves to tell me which of my favorite players couldn’t hold up against the players of his era. anyhow here’s my five.
PG – Isaiah Thomas.
Dude was just relentless. Fearless going to the cup, could hit the mid-range jumper, sick with the pull up, quick as a whip and could dish the rock too.
SG – Jerry West.
Since I picked Zeke I can’t have Mike because everybody knows they hated each other. Give me the LOGO. If it weren’t for the Celtics he woulda had at least two more rings. Unstoppable scorer in his time with no flaws offensively.
SF – Oscar Robertson
Mr. Triple Double. He was what Lebron is trying to become. Nuff said.
PF – Kevin Garnett
My favorite player ever. I’m a Timberwolves fan way back to Sam Mitchell, Doug Overton and Christian Laettner. Just above that though I’m a KG fan. So intense, So skilled. Yeah, gimme KG at the 4.
C – Bill Russell
No doubt in my mind. Just like Wilt changed the game as a scoring machine, he changed the game from a rebounding and shotblocking perspective. He was a force without scoring the ball at a really amazing rate.
PG – Magic
SG – Michael
SF – Bernard King
PF – Dennis Rodman
C – Wilt
This team would never lose. No explanation needed on the backcourt. Wilt and Dennis would own the glass better than any other possible front court tandem. Before the injury, BK was the most unstoppable scorer in the game and that includes Bird (who was a better all-around player). I’m going with the ’67 version of Wilt who averaged a 24 and 24! Not only did he shoot 68%, but led the league with 8 assists per game. In other words, this team will work just fine with only one ball as MJ and BK both still average more than 30.
MODI: I love your confidence. And The King was defnitely right behind Nique as my choice for 3. His pull-up was EVERYTHING.
But I think my squad would work ya squad out. And also, I firmly believe the all Philly team compiled by Mizzo would give you fits as well.
I gotta rep my city.
TLP: Like the Larry Nance pick. Like ya squad overall. Love the Iceman.
Ron: True sports Connoisseur. Love the willingness for you to step outta the box and show off…
GNubian: Malone over Duncan? Give me 5 reasons why???
Chuck: Great squad…
Jerold: Why dont you list ya pops S5 too so we can take this convo to another dimension?
When you think of a “starting five” of all-time, you have to think about both ends of the floor. So here they are…
PG Magic Johnson – Maybe the best court vision
SG Michael Jordan – Probably the greatest all around player
SF Larry Bird – Super smart
PF Tim Duncan – Fundamentals!!
C Bill Russell – He owned Wilt…nuff said
Im gonna give you two. The first one is the greatest ever and just not fair to any other team. The second is a team of guys who nobody has chosen, but would give any team fits:
PG – Magic his skill as a 6’10″ point were unbelievable! He would dominate any other pg on both ends of the court.
SG – MJ ummmm greatest player of all time? would take over any game if need be, plus a lesser known but great defender.
SF – Bird greatest unathletic pro athlete of all time. Larry Legend is the Hall of Fame “glue guy”. He did everything.
PF – Rodman is my real glue guy tho. He is the most notorious rebounder/ defender ever. He was actually a lot like Bill Russell just ridiculously weird.
C – THE DREAM greatest defender and greatest one on one post player ever. He had point guard moves, speed, agility, and could jump out of the gym. His Dream Shake was the stuff of legends and he single handedly defeated Magic and the “Showtime” Lakers to get to the 86 finals!
2nd team
PG – Clyde Drexler the Glyde was not necessarily a true point guard but would still dunk on any center after shaking a speedy PG.
SG – Reggie Miller best shooter of all time. The player I originally fashioned my game after. And he was the best utilizer of screens.
SF – Oscar Robertson the Big O is the original Lebron. The dude had more triple doubles than hairs on his head. The O train was the complete player.
PF – Robert Horry my glue guy. Not a great defender etc. but will hit any game winning shot. Just give him the ball with :01 left and chalk up a W.
C – Wilt Chamberlain most prolific, dominating scorer ever. He could still dominate a game today with his height, strength, and athleticism. As long as the other team doesn’t score 101 pts, this team should win.
My top 5 of all time + subs:
PG- Magic Johnson- 6’9, intelligent PG who backed it up with 5 big ones.
SG- Michael Jordan- 6’6, perfect SG. fast, quick, athletic, great shooter & defender + backed it all up with 6 trophies and more! Best SG of all time!
SF- Larry Bird- 6’9, very intelligent player, passes very well for a SF, makes his teammates better players and great clutch shooter. Backs it up with 3 majors.
PF- Tim Duncan- 6’11, not the flashiest of players but very fundamentally sound. He is very unselfish, is a great defender and his main priority is winning which is reflected by the amount of championships he holds- 4.
C- Shaquille O’neal- 7’2, most dominant Centre of all time. When I think Centre, I think Shaq. He can effortlessly overpower most opponents with his strength and is a defensive forse to be reckoned with. He is also a winner with 4 NBA championships.
SUBS
PG- John Stockton, 6’1.
SG- Dwyane Wade, 6’4.
SF- Lebron James, 6’8.
PF- Dennis Rodman, 6’8.
C- Kareem Abdul-Jabar, 7’2
PG – Magic. Best at the position ever. Dedicated to making others better, unselfish, does whatever it takes to win. Yet at 6’9″ has the size to outman opponents, can play all 5 positions, led league in FT% a couple of times, not a bad defender.
SG – Michael. Best all-around player ever. Equivalent and dominant at basketball like Tiger is at golf. Great scorer, defender, passer, rebounder and best “will to win” of any who has ever played sports, period.
C – Russell. Defend, Rebound, Block Shots, Run The Floor, Finish At The Basket. The best ever at this position as would be defined by what it takes at Center to win, given all the other positions having been filled by “the best at the position”. The model was proven via the Celtics of the 60′s. While Wilt was clearly the more gifted player and the best Center of all time (if not player), you can’t play 1 on 5 and expect to win. It’s all about the “W” and Bill Russell gets you the “W”.
SF – Bird. The greatest ever at getting all out of what he had. Greatest small forward ever, pure shooter, savy defender, great passer, rebounder, and second to Michael in “will to win”. #1 trash-talker in NBA history and backed it up 99.9% of the time. So good that he made an enemy of Isiah and earned the everlasting respect of Magic.
PF – The Big E. Could dominate in the post at C or PF. Scorer, rebounder, defender. Better than Malone, Duncan, etc. in all phases of the game. No one stopped the Big E, not Lew Alcindor (Houston v. UCLA); not Kareem, not Wilt, not Bellamy, not Willis, and the Big E was only 6’10″ (if that).
pg: chauncey billups
sg: michael jordan
sf: lebron james
pf: tim duncan
c: bill russell
PG-Magic Johnson 6’9. Best courte vision very unselfish and will make everyone else on the team better and plays solid defense onl other point i would take over him is Stockton.
SG-Micheal Jordan 6’6. Thee best all around player in the history of basketball. Quick, clutch, nice shot and the best perimeter defender in the history of the game.
SF-Lary Bird 6’9. Tall can rebound and great team player can knock down shots when you need them and is a solid passer.
PF-Kareem Abdul-Jabar 7’2. Im probably going to get killed for this one because he is a center. Kareem was one of my favorite players of all time (behind magic). Also because his of the infamous sky-hook it was impossible to guard. The NBA’s alltime leading scorer has to be somewere on my list. Okay im ready rip me a new one lol.
C-Hakeem Olajuwon 7’0. The best post moves in the history of the game. His nickname says it all. “The Dream” it reflected his play in his prime he couldnt be stopped. The talk about him handling baby shaw that can be true but i would take Olajuwon over Shaq any day i love shaq to death but the post moves.
Coach-Phil Jackson. Best of alltime.
This group has everything rebounding, defense, great shooting/scoring ability and most of all clutch. Theres not a person on here that you would not trust with the ball in their hands with the game on the line.
Lakersfreak26: Don’t take this as being critical of your list but if Oscar played in today his assist total would be untouchable because of the assist rules change. There was a time when you couldn’t dribble after the pass for assist credit to be given.
Also, another fact about Oscar. Before he signed with the Bucks, teams had to compensate the player’s previous team.
The “Oscar Robertson” rule changed the game and allowed free agents to get big bucks.
Also his rebounding total was the most ever in the NBA for a time.
OSCAR!!!! Thats who i forgot thanks for reminding me man i totally spaced about him.
My picks are not best starting 5 of all time, but the starting 5 for ONE GAME ONLY, with the FATE OF THE WORLD on the line. Which players would you pick for a one-game series for your life ?
1 – Magic
2 – Jordan
3 – Bird
4 – Rambis (glue guy, rebounds, picks up the garbage, and you know just won’t make any mistakes. My sentimental pick, although Rodman would have been ok too.)
5 – Walton (Not the best center ever, but probably the smartest and best passer. Hakeem has close second.)
PG: Magic
SG: Iverson
SF: Garnett
PF: Duncan
C: Shaq
PG: Magic Johson grest court vision and could play every position
SG: Micheal Jordan Greatest of all time (Kobe up there too)
SF: Larry Bird Best shooting big to ever play
PF: Tim Ducan Mr. Fundemental
C: Bill Russel 11 championships and finals mvp award named after him
SUBS:
Kobe Bryant one of the best to ever play 4 rings and 2009 finals mvp 81 points!!!!!!!!!! (not in starting five because of micheal jordan)
Oscar Robertson
Lebron James
Wilt
JerrY West (NBA logo)
Karrem
Shaq
Julius
malone
PG- Magic – this is a no brainer… he is just bigger, faster, stronger, and better than any other PG you can put infrot of him.
SG – Jordan – hate to say it, but this is another no brainer. I am not sure why other folks are trying to find “glue” guys and “defensive specialists” when you can just as easily find someone that can do both
SF – Lebron – Say all you want about Bird and the Big O… lets be honost here for a second.. do you really think that either of them could stop LBJ?? You can have all the “will to win” in the world, but when you have a 6’10, 255lb freak of nature coming at you… all the “will” in the world is not going to help you.
PF – Garnett – Here is another guy that can do all the small things of a “glue guy” like Rambis, Rodman, and Horry… but is infinitely more talented!! Hopefully no one forgot that he has been MVP of the league, defnesive player of the league… and showed in Boston that he has no problem being a role player
C- Shaq- There are very good arguments for Russell, Chamberlain, Kareem, and The Dream… but I would take this beast anyday. Like Lebron I just think he is more s freak of nature… he is just more dominant.
I’ll take that. great line-up, Chris.
I’m gonna go with all 2-way players and assume each is at his prime.
PG-J. Kidd-Magic was better, but for this team, I’ll take Kidd’s all around game.
SG-Kobe-Doing what Jordan but they don’t stick no 5’11″ Travis Best on him, single coverage in the playoffs like they di to Jordan. When Jordan scored 50, he looked like he was giving it everything he had, When Kobe gets it going, he looks like he could go on forever. If Phil hadn’t benched him in at least 3 games he had over 50 at the end of 3, he’d have 4 80 point games.
SF-LeBron-Too freakish and athletic to leave off, despite his lack of refinement of skills, dude is still the second best player in today’s NBA of circus freak specimens.
PF-KG-As a two way player at every spot on the court can make things happen. Gives him the nod over TD and Malone.
C-Kareem- Only real competition would be Wilt, but Kareem was better defensively.
I’d take this team all day, every day and twice a day on Sundays.
[...] a post we had earlier. There’s still another out there. I’ll find [...]
Give me Jordan, the Big O, Elgin Baylor, Wilt, and Russell as a starting five with Kareen, Magic, and Bird comming off the bench, and we’ll beat anybody, anywhere, any time.
PG- Magic Johnson
SG- Michael Jordan
SF- Lebron James
PF- Kareem Abdul Jabar
C- Hakeem Olajowon
Point Blank BITCHES!!!!!!!
PG- Kevin Ollie
SG- Coby Karl
SF- Adam Morrison
PF- Darko Millicic
C-Kwame brown
6th Man- Eddy Curry
Thats the Dream Team BITCHES!!!
PG- #1 Oscar Robertson- Averaged a triple double 3 straight seasons and one of the best all-around players ever.
SG- #23 Michael Jordan- 6 time NBA champ, 5 time NBA MVP, and the greatest player ever.
SF- #2 Larry Johnson- Great hustle player and high intensity.
PF- #21 Kevin Garnett- NBA MVP, NBA defensive MVP, and the greatest skilled intense player ever.
C- #33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- NBA all-time leading scorer, NBA all-time leading blocks, and the greatest post player ever.
PG- Magic- Would be the all time assists leader without the HIV. 6″9 court general. Made everybody around him better.
SG- Jordan- Enough said
SF-Elgin Baylor-Averaged 33 and 14 for a career and 5 assists. Tenacious as a player could be
PF-LeBron-He can play anywhere and depending on how many rings he gets may go down ahead of Mike as the greatest. He’s selfless and his talent is indisputeable
C-Moses Malone-Always forgotten it seems in the shadows of Russell, Kareem, Wilt and others. A rebounding and scoring machine