Greatest-Ever NBA Team, With a Twist

There have been a multitude of articles relating to the greatest ever team of basketballers you could assemble regardless of era.

These teams usually are based around the best players in each position.

I have written this article not to do that, but to create a team that I would most like to play with. It will not be the most successful team ever.

If assembled it might not even get over the .500 mark—but it would be interesting, entertaining, and fun.

The team will have two players at each position. This is the team that I would love to be drafted by, if they were ever assembled. 

Center

Arvydas Sabonis

Sabonis could have been the greatest center of all time if conditions had not been so unfortunate.

This man could have dominated the league like no other. Think of a mixture of Wilt Chamberlin, and John Stockton.

As it was he still dominated in the latter part of his career, despite playing limited minutes and not being able to run. He was also one of the nicest, funniest, and most community-oriented players around, which warrants his selection.

Darryl Dawkins

Chocolate Thunder. The man who if he ever reached his potential could dominate like no other. Entertaining, funny, and from a different planet—if only he had brought friends.

Power Forward

Charles Barkley

Prince Charles was one of the greatest characters the game has seen—funny, outspoken, and always relevant. He could have carved a career from just saying the first thing that came to mind.

Always on the NBA All-Interview Team, he then became a commentator, and then a dietitian. He is most famous for advocating an all-melon diet, and doing the fave five ads. He could also play a bit of basketball. 

Michael Beasley

Some may say B-Easy is to young and unproven for this team, but his performance in "Gunnin for that No. 1 Spot" states otherwise.

A Spongebob fanatic, a Moonie, an amateur hairdresser and he is still a rookie. He is also one of the smoothest players around, with a graceful handle, and elegant style, that puts grease to shame. The future looks bright for B-Easy.

Small Forward

Larry Bird 

A trash-talking "Hick from French Lick" seems like a perfect fit for the team. Add to that a basketball IQ which puts all others to shame, and a technically-perfect game. What else can I say?

George Gervin

Iceman, I can't express this in words, so this link will have to do.

Shooting Guard

Earl Monroe

Earl Monroe was one of the most entertaining and beautiful players around. He wasn't a great athlete—but the things he did on court LeBron James and Michael Jordan would find impossible.

He was the epitome of grace and elegance. Girls going to the prom or to a social should imitate him, and maybe the world would look a lot better. Nothing else to say.

Andrew Gaze

Unless you're from Australia, you will know nothing of Gaze.

Gaze is the man who symbolizes basketball in Australia, supremely talented, with the most efficient and perhaps greatest shots in basketball.

He won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs, and was one of the greatest players to have played in the Olympics—check the statistics.

He is an extremely friendly and nice guy, and perhaps one of the most personable sportsmen. He's also Australian.

Point Guard

Point guard is a toss up, as both players were extremely skilled, and forever changed this position.

Pete Maravich

Maravich was the originator of Showtime. He was the most skilled basketballer ever (not athlete, basketballer). He could shoot and would almost always score from anywhere on the court, add to this perfect control, and he was unstoppable.

He is however known for his passing skills which, were without precedent or equal even today and perhaps for all time. He was a one-man Showtime.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Magic could have played anywhere on the basketball court.  However, he shone most at point guard, where he thrilled and charmed without precedent.

He was a versatile, entertaining—and most importantly, fun player.

Honourable mentions: Hakeem Olaujwon, Dennis Rodman, Vince Carter, Wilt Chamberlin, Michael Ray Richardson and Shawn Kemp