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…
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 am
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:14 am
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 am
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
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)…..
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
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
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
TLP - How dare you forget THE KING!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
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.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:25 am
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.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
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?