I think we all can agree this is a fun thing to think about. I love this idea. You would think it was easy, but it’s actually rather hard. There have been so many great NBA players. Knocking them down to twelve names is kind of challenging. Well, it was a challenge that I met, sort of. I have three new blogs for you. They’ll be spread out over the month as we wait for the new NBA season. The first of these “all-time team” blogs will be about my selected starters. Oh, and feel free to post your lists in the comments section below.
Magic Johnson, Point Guard
Magic was the greatest point guard of all time, and it’s not even close. Though, I almost left him off. The one flaw I have in my starting lineup is that Larry Bird is the only player with a truly good shooting touch from the perimeter. The problem was that the only point guard that was a big three point threat, who could also pass, that I could think of was Steve Nash. I like Steve Nash, but he’s not all-time team material. Magic Johnson was never much of a scorer, but no player could run the break like him. No one else could really hold this spot.
Michael Jordan, Shooting Guard
Okay, I know it’s the obvious choice! Seriously, would you put anyone else here? The best player ever can’t come off the bench. In the backcourt you’d have the best passer in NBA history in Magic and with Michael an excellent one on one defender. Plus, he could score a bit too. It never hurts to have the two players who would handle the ball the most be ferocious competitors. This is kind of a no-brainer combination. Hey, no points for originality, right? I’m sure the next pick will shock you.
Larry Bird, Small Forward
Well, maybe shock was an overstatement. At the moment, Larry Bird is the greatest small forward ever to play the game. No other player to occupy the position has yet to lead his team to as much success as Bird did with the Celtics. I think there’s this guy who lives in Ohio and calls himself the “king” that might have something to say about that eventually, but as of right now, Larry Bird is the greatest small forward ever. Nothing else needs to be said.
Tim Duncan, Power Forward
I know a lot of people don’t like it when people say this, but there’s just not a better power forward in NBA history than Tim Duncan. The guy is the only power forward in history that can claim that a dynasty was built on his shoulders. Though, he would never do so. Tim Duncan is not only an excellent character guy, but he also is a damn good defender. You pair him with my next selection and you’ve got the best defensive tandem in the history of the sport. As if Timmy wasn’t enough…
Bill Russell, Center
Picking the two centers for this team(next column will be on the bench players) was the hardest part of picking the team. The position of center is the most storied of all the five positions in basketball. I could’ve gone with Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Moses, Shaq or even Walton. I tend to prefer a good defense to a good offense, so I had to go with Bill Russell. I was never lucky enough to see Mr. Russell play, but his reputation is as the greatest defensive player of all time.
See you guys later!
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