The NBA's Unbeatable Team

2008/09 Stats: 22.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 11.0 apg, 2.8 spg
Height: 6'0"

Chris Paul is the obvious pick here.

He is fundamentally sound, extremely quick, and has great intangibles. He can get to the cup at will and is the best passer in the NBA.

Perhaps not as flashy as a few other point guards, Paul is efficient and is the best suited player to get everyone their touches.

2008/09 Stats: 26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg
Height: 6'6"

Kobe Bryant is the quintessential leader.

The most talented scorer in the NBA, Bryant would also be my captain. He would not only be the first option on defense, but, arguably, the best perimeter defender too.

A very intense player, the "Black Mamba" would keep the flame burning—and he's proved that he can be unselfish when he needs to be (2008 Olympics).

2008/09 Stats: 28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.7 spg
Height: 6'8"

LeBron James is the most talented all-around player in the NBA.

He would excel playing with superstars who could take the burden off him offensively, and allow him to let the game come naturally.

Whenever the ball is in his hands, someone will be open.

In addition to commanding double teams, he has unparalleled playmaking ability.

2008/09 Stats: 25.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 89% FT
Height: 7'0"

Dirk Nowitzki is the ultimate compliment to world-class athletes like LeBron James and Dwight Howard (in my next slide).

He is an elite scorer and the best shooting big man in the game.

Unlike Tim Duncan, Dirk provides the ability to spread the floor—a vital facet you need when Dwight is clogging the lane and LeBron is blowing by defenders at every opportunity.

2008/09 Stats: 20.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.9 bpg
Height: 6'11"

Dwight Howard is a must-have.

To put it simply, the man is a beast. He's still incredibly young, but he is the most athletic big in the game today.

He would anchor this team on defense and own the glass against any opposition in the NBA.

In addition, when you have playmakers like LeBron James and Chris Paul in the starting lineup you need a guy who can get any pass or lob thrown at him.

2008/09 Stats: 21.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.1 spg
Height: 6'7"

Joe Johnson is not a point guard by position, but he is one of those rare wings who is able to play the point-forward position.

Before I get a punk comment about Jameer Nelson being a true point guard and better fitted for the spot—Johnson averaged more assists last year then Nelson.

Joe is a great facilitator and this pick is a strategic one, because he provides size, length and hard defense without giving up anything on offense.

He would dominate Nelson on mismatches in addition to hounding him on the defensive end.

2008/09 Stats: 30.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.5 apg, 2.2 spg
Height: 6'4"

Wade is the perfect player to come off the bench for a team as talented as this.

He is an elite scorer and on-ball defender and quite simply—nobody can stay in front of him.

Dwyane brings the perfect intensity and athleticism you want off the bench, he and Joe form a formidable backcourt that can spread the floor and get to the ring just as easily.

2008/09 Stats: 25.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.8 apg
Height: 6'9"

Kevin Durant is a phenom.

He is already an elite level scorer and a capable defender, despite only being twenty years of age.

His freakish length and versatility earns him a spot on this bench.

He can spread the floor or take it inside, and he is interchangeable with Kevin Garnett (up next)—providing mismatches for Mr. King's team.

He is too long and athletic for Rashard Lewis to guard and is quicker off the dribble.

2008/09 Stats: 15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 bpg
Height: 6'11"

Kevin Garnett is the leader off the bench.

With Dwyane Wade, he provides intensity and drive in the second unit.

His defensive prowess is well documented and his versatility undeniable.

His ability to handle the rock, hit the long-range jumper and pass the ball makes him essential.

With the other Kevin (Durant) he is interchangeable and once again allows for mismatches.

2008/09 Stats: 19.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 87% FT
Height: 7'6"

Yao Ming is the beast the team needs when Dwight Howard gets in foul trouble.

He is a highly intelligent player and a great passer.

To be blunt—he is better than Andrew Bynum in every facet of the game. In addition, he compliments by second unit perfectly as he commands double-teams which will help with the versatile rotation I have.

If you've got this far - thanks for reading. Don't worry it's nearly over.
When it comes down to it, why would my team beat Mr King's?

Starting Lineup:

The only glaring difference is my replacement of Tim Duncan with Dirk Nowitzki. My team is superior because, quite frankly Nowitzki provides an edge to the offense that the team does not have with Duncan in the lineup.

Duncan is great but for this lineup Dirk is better suited because he provides offensive opportunities for this lineup which are restricted with Tim Duncan.

His ability to spread the floor accommodates the drive and dish games of both Chris Paul and LeBron James. In addition it gives Dwight Howard more room to operate down low. With both Duncan and Howard in the post at the same time the lane would be clogged, and it would be hard to have mismatches.

With Dirk on the floor LeBron and Kobe would be able to post-up their offensive mismatches in the post, while Dirk would create space by moving past the three point line. Defenses would have to play honest with Kobe or LeBron because of Dirk's ability to hit the three - with Tim Duncan on the floor he could be left alone at that distance.

In addition to all of this, Dirk's dribble-drive penetration game gives the team more offensive versatility as he is able to face-up from the perimeter and drive down the lane. This is something Duncan would not be able to do because he lacks the foot-speed and ability to handle the rock like Nowitzki.

There is nothing wrong with the pick of Tim Duncan, but quite bluntly it restricts what the lineup is able to do offensively. Dirk Nowitzki is a better fit and makes my lineup a better one.

Bench:

If you take anything away from this, it should be the words versatility and mismatch.

At the point guard position I chose Joe Johnson. While he is not a point guard by position he is just as good a facilitator than Nelson (more assists per game) and he would destroy Nelson in any match-up. Offensively his size and strength would enable him to manhandle Nelson on mismatches in the post or driving to the cup, and on defense his size and length would negate Nelson from doing anything off the dribble.

To be blunt, Joe Johnson eliminates any impact Jameer Nelson would have on the game.

At shooting guard I also went with Dwyane Wade, but my combination of Johnson and Wade in the backcourt is a better combination than King's combination of Nelson/Wade on both ends of the floor.

At small forward I chose Kevin Durant. He would dominate Rashard Lewis due to his athletic superiority and quick first-step. Offensively he could do whatever he wanted, and defensively he would provide problems for Lewis due to his wingspan and length.

However the real reason I chose Durant was so that I could have interchangeable forwards at the SF and PF spot. Kevin Garnett and Kevin Durant are a fearsome combination because both are able to step out and hit the jumper or post-up. They make a dominant forward pack because they are so versatile and long.

Finally at center I went with Yao Ming. I chose him for several reasons. Firstly he commands double teams and would enable Johnson and Durant to get open jumpers. Secondly his interior scoring would mesh well with Wade's dribble drive/penetration game and finally his passing ability would enable him and Garnett to be a playmaking tandem inside.

In addition to that, he is better than Andrew Bynum in every facet of the game.

As you can see I haven't simply chosen my favourite players, or the best players. I've chosen a team that fits together and has the ability to create mismatches in addition to being incredibly versatile. They are bigger, taller, stronger, longer, faster and more versatile and skilled than Mr King's side. Put simply they are clearly superior on both ends of the floor.

So leave a comment and let me know whose team you think would win.