All-Time Basketball Team

If the Martians came to Earth and said they had the death ray pointed at us and the only way we could save the planet is by beating their team in basketball—and they also had a time machine to bring back our best players in their primes—this is the team I would suggest:

Starting Lineup

PG Magic Johnson 6'9" 255 lbs 

The best PG of all time. He would be the floor general. His flashy plays in transition set up everyone for easy buckets. Also a great rebounder due to his size.

SG Michael Jordan 6'6" 216 lbs 

The best athlete in the history of American team sports. He would be the number-one scoring option. and also D up the Martians' best player.

SF Larry Bird 6'9" 220 lbs 

He would be the spot-up shooter on this starting lineup. Also a very versaitile player, an offensive force, and a great rebounder.

PF Bill Russell 6'10" 220 lbs 

The best defensive player in NBA history. He would be the leader of the defense and captain of the team. Also his teams tended to win.

C Wilt Chamberlin 7'1" 275 lbs

The most dominant offensive player ever. He will score in the low-post rebound and use his underated court vision to take victory. There has never been a player who could D him up.

Bench

G John Stockton 6'1" 175 lbs 

Would back up Magic at PG. Great passer and efficient scorer. Can run the show if Magic goes down.

G Oscar Robertson 6'5" 205 lbs

The most versatile player in NBA history. The big O can play both G position for the team.

G Kobe Bryant 6'6" 220 lbs He will back up his mentor Michael Jordan. Even with all his controversy, he is the second-best SG of all time.

F Julius Erving 6'7" 200 lbs

The best player in ABA and Long Island history (I am from Long Island). Will back up Bird and provide immediate offense. Also can entertain the crowd with his dunks.

F Tim Duncan 7'0" 260 lbs

The best player in the post-Jordan era, and the best PF of all time. Would provide rebounding and defense for this team.

F Hakeem Olajuwon 7'0" 255 lbs

The Dream would be most versatile big man on this team. Could run the floor, rebound, block shots, pick up steals, and hit the occasional mid-range shot.

F Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7'2 225 lbs 

The best player in college basketball history and  the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The backup center for this team. Would bring the most unstoppable shot ever—his hook shot.

Alternate

C Shaquille O'neal 7'1" 325 lbs 

The most dominant offensive big man not named Chamberlin. There was no room for him in my top 12. His defense and free-throw shooting hold him down.

Developmental Players

F Lebron James 6'9" 260 lbs

If he develops like I think he will, he could be a future starter for this team. At 23, he is already the best player in the NBA.

G Chris Paul 6'0" 170 lbs

If he continues his dominance, he will become the backup PG for this team. He just needs to prove last year was not a fluke.

Head Coach

Phil Jackson

The zen master would keep all egos in check on this team.