NBA All-Star Game: The 25 Greatest Starting Fives in the Game's History

The 2011 All-Star starters have been named and we have Paul, Anthony, Durant, Yao and Bryant for the West and for the East we have Wade, James, Rose, Stoudemire and Howard.

These teams are talented, as every all-star game since the first one in 1951 have been. The all-star game starters are now voted in by fans but in the heyday coaches picked the all-start starters.

But the talent level of the 2011 All-Star teams do not stack up when we are listing the 25 greatest starting fives in all star history. There have been 120 starting fives and these are the cream of the crop.

#25: 1957 East Team

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BOSTON - APRIL 20: Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy waves to fans as he heads out to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees on April 20, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachuset

The NBA wasn't what it would become in 1957 but this was the start of something special as the East team showcased five of the biggest stars basketball had ever seen up to that point: Dolph Schayes, Harry Gallatin, Paul Arizin, Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy. They were a precursor to what would soon come and a legendary team. 

#24: 1971 East Team

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 25: Former NBA player Walt Frazier attends the premiere of 'Black Magic' at The Apollo Theatre February 25, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

This team worked together well and was a mix of players that would school in any generation. The starting five had power, grace, speed and brains: Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, John Havlicek, Billy Cunningham and Earl Monroe. 

#23: 2001 West Team

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27 Dec 2001: Point guard Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets plays defense during the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palce of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Nets defeated the Pistons 88-75.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon/Getty

This team was quite a force to be dealt with. Although Shaq did not play Webber, Duncan, Garnett, Bryant and Kidd all shone. 

#22: 1973 East Team

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - MARCH 28: Basketball legend John Havlicek poses with LPGA player Nicole Castrale and her husband Craig during the pro-am at the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club on March 28, 2007 in Rancho Mirage, California. (

This team featured a rugged and tough cast with a hint of style, finesse and tenacity. This team had the perfect combination for greatness: Dave Cowens, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, John Havlicek and Pete Maravich. 

#21: 1978 West Team

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Paul Westphal of the Sacramento Kings talks to an official during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: Us

The late 1970's was known as a dark era in the NBA when things had become kind of slow, but this squad defied such belief with a level of greatness easy to recognize: David Thompson, Maurice Lucas, Bill Walton, Rick barry and Paul Westphal. 

#20: 1983 West Team

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson speaks from the stage after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

The league was downright competitive since 1980 and the players were so great that it was awesome. In 1983, shooting 45% from the field was not good and so many guys went to college for four years that it was evident in their play. This squad included Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maurice Lucas, Alex English and David Thompson. 

#19: 1982 East Team

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 29: Former NBA player Artis Gilmore acknowledges the crowd after being introduced during a timeout between the Indiana Pacers and the New Jersey Nets in game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2006 NBA playoffs o

These guys had major size, awesome shooting and two all-time great point guards: Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Artis Gilmore, Isaiah Thomas and Tiny Archibald.  

#18: 1993 West Team

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WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 14: John Stockton #12 and Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz bring the ball upcourt against the Washington Wizards during the NBA game at MCI Center on November 14, 2002 in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 105-102. NOTE TO USER: Use

This team contained literally some of the greatest players of all-time starting together, and all of them were on the greatest team ever also, the Dream Team: Karl Malone, Barkley, Stockton, David Robinson and Drexler. Just...awesome. 

#17: 1962 West Team

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INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain sit on the court during Earvin 'Magic' Johnson's retirement ceremony from the Los Angeles Lakers on February 16, 1992 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood,

This team represented when the league got really, really good compared to the old days. The team scored 150 points in this all star game winning by 20 points: Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bob Pettit and Walt Bellamy on the same team! 

#16: 1969 East Team

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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 30: Bill Russell and Mike Eruzione attend the 2010 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Celebration at IAC Building on November 30, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

By 1969 there was a mingling of the new and old guards and the result was a stupendous starting five: O. Robertson, John Havlicek, Bill Russell, Earl Monroe and Jerry Lucas. Amazing times. 

#15: 1970 East Team

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WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 30: National Basketball Association hall of famers Larry Bird (L) and former Philadelphia 76's coach Billy Cunningham greet each other as they arrive for former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach's viewing at Joseph Gawler's Sons Inc.

This team beckoned in the 1970's with absolute talent: Willis reed, Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Billy Cunningham and Walt Frazier. 

#14: 1975 East Team

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NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Former basketball player Earl Monroe attends NY Giant Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiards Tournament at Slate on June 3, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for All Stars Helping Kids)

The mid-1970's indeed had great talent available for all the fans to see as is evident in the 1975 East team: Walt Frazier, John Havlicek, Bob McAdoo, Earl Monroe and Elvin Hayes.

#13: 1991 West Team

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15 Jan 2001: A close up of Chris Mullin #17 of the Golden State Warriors as he gets ready to shoot a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 107-101.

This team was great in every aspect and in the midst of the greatest NBA era ever: Karl Malone, Mullin, Magic Johnson, Kevin Johnson and David Robinson. 

#12: 2000 West Team

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5 Dec 2000: Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Chris Webber of the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. DIGITAL IMAGE> Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only righ

The new millennium rang in with quite a stellar squad: Kevin Garnett, Kidd, Duncan, Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal!

#11: 1998 West Team

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28 Apr 1998: Stephon Marbury #20 of the Minneapolis Timberwolves in action against Gary Payton #3 of the Seattle Super Sonics at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Sonics 98-90.

The young and the old took on a tough East team in 1998. The team included Karl Malone, Bryant, Shaq, Garnett and Gary Payton. 

#10: 1996 East Team

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13 Dec 1996: Center Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers towers over Arvydas Sabonis #11 and Aaron McKie #23 of the Portland Trailblazers as fires a shot during the first period at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. +++

When Shaq and Michael are on the same team it is automatically top ten. Anferne Hardaway and Grant Hill and Pippen could not bring this team down because all three were at their absolute peaks. Just think about this squad for a second. Exactly my thoughts too. 

#9: 1989 East Team

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1989: Dominique Wilkins #21 of the Atlanta Hawks goes for a layup during a 1989-1990 NBA season game against the Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images)

This was an electric team with the weakest like being Dominique Wilkins, who is one of the greatest NBA scorers ever. He was teamed with fellow starters Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and the legendary Moses Malone. 

#8: 1985 East Team

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1985: Boston Celtis forward Larry Bird shoots during game. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport

The mid-1980's are not overrated as one of the greatest era's ever, along with the early 1990's. fans in 2011 do not have it this good: Larry Bird, D. Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas and Moses Malone. 

#7: 1987 East Team

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1987: Isiah Thomas #11 of the Detroit Pistons looks on as he waits for play during a game in the 1987-1988 NBA season. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The levels of exciting players on this starting five is outlandish and the best part is that they mixed it with truly strong scoring skills and efficiency unseen nowadays. The defense was awesome too. This squad included Michael Jordan, D. Wilkins, Bird, I. Thomas and Julius Erving!!!

#6: 1963 West Team

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NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Darrell Walker (L) and assistant coach Bob Petitt of the Rookie team sit on the bench during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam part of 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend at the New Orleans Arena on February 15, 2008 i

This team epitomized the talent level and basketball explosion available in the 1960;s. This starting five includes at least four of the 20 greatest players in NBA history: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy and Bob Pettit. 

#5: 2009 East Team

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: Jarrett Jack #1 of the Toronto Raptors looks to pass against Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Arena on December 16, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

The 2000's saw the league go through a major shooting slump, mostly due to no college experience mixed with outlandish pay and a lack of historical knowledge and lackluster defensive desire, but the 2009 West squad put together an all-around team with all the skills that the era lacked: Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson. 

#4: 1985 East Team

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1985: Moses Malone #2 (left) and Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers sit on the bench during the 1985-1986 NBA season. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Jordan started but was 'froze out' in this game, but it didn't matter. This team saw the legandary Julius Erving play with Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird and Moses Malone. Damn, I'm so pissed that I started watching the NBA in 1988. 

#3: 1981 West Team

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WESTWOOD, CA - MARCH 08: Former player Kareem Abdul Jabar of the UCLA Bruins waves to the crowd during ceremonies honoring his 1967-68 NCAA championship team at halftime of the game with the California Golden Bears on March 8, 2008 at Pauley Pavillion in

people love to see the all-stars score and this was possibly the highest scoring starting five of all time, led by the greatest (sorry Stockton, but you are my fave) point guard of all-time Magic Johnson, and he got to pass it off to Kareem, George Gervin, Adrian Dantley and Alex English. I wish I had that job for just one day, I know I'd have at least 25 assists! Magic got close. 

#2: 1990 East Team

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Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (center).

This is basically a flawless squad led by Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Throw in Barkley, Isiah Thomas and Patrick Ewing and you are unbeatable. 

#1: 1992 East and West Teams

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6 OCT 1992: USA BASKETBALL TEAM MEMBERS MICHAEL JORDAN (MIDDLE) SCOTTIE PIPPEN (LEFT) AND CLIDE DREXLER (RIGHT) ACKNOWLEDGE THE CROWD AFTER RECEIVING THEIR GOLD MEDALAS MEMBERS OF THE DREAM TEAM DURING THE 1992 BARCELONA OLYMPICS IN BARCELONA, SPAIN. Man

There has been some argument lately about how the early 1990's in the NBA was not as great as the league today, but let us get real for a second. I have watched every single all-star game since 1989 and there is actually no comparison. Alot of folks are too young to realize or want to admit some things.

But I have proof: This all star game is proof that 1992 was the single greatest year in NBA history. BOTH the East and the West squads were so stacked that nine of the ten players out of these ten started made up 9 of the 11 professional players on the greatest team of all-time - THE DREAM TEAM

The West starters were JOHN STOCKTON, CLYDE DREXLER, CHRIS MULLIN, KARL MALONE and DAVID ROBINSON.

The East starters were ISIAH THOMAS, MICHAEL JORDAN, SCOTTIE PIPPEN, CHARLES BARKLEY  and PATRICK EWING.

The 1992 NBA All-Star Game: the highest level of basketball ever played.