
NBA Draft: Power Ranking All-Draft Starting 5 for Each NBA Team in Last 25 Years
WIth the 2011 NBA draft quickly approaching, let's take a unique look back through how each team has drafted during the past 25 years.
Imagine if right after the 1984 season (Michael Jordan's rookie year), the NBA owners and players agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement that had one massive rule change: When a player is drafted, they must remain with that team for the duration of their NBA career. No trades are allowed, even on draft day. Free agency no longer exists.
This rule change would have had huge implications. Kobe Bryant would have been on the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets for his entire career while Dirk Nowitzki would be a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
So with that in mind, let's take a look through each team's starting five with those hypothetical rules in place. Each starting five is comprised of the best point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center drafted by the team in the 1985 NBA draft or afterwards. Keep in mind that all players on these teams are thought of as in their primes.
A lot of the decisions about both who to include in the starting five and how to rank the imaginary teams are sure to be controversial, so be sure to leave your opinions in the comment section.
Each team's slide will include the following: the starting five (complete with when they were drafted), the "apologies to" section for those players that were snubbed, a quick description of the team and the five players' career stats.
Enjoy!
Tier 7: Why Exactly Is This Team in the League?
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Our worst tier of the bunch contains just one team.
Amazingly, even with this type of team construction, this squad couldn't put together a team that would even beat their current roster.
So, that begs the question: Why exactly is this team in the league?
30. Charlotte Bobcats
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Point Guard: Raymond Felton (No. 5 in 2005)
Shooting Guard: Gerald Henderson (No. 12 in 2009)
Small Forward: Jared Dudley (No. 22. in 2007)
Power Forward: Sean May (No. 13 in 2005)
Center: Emeka Okafor (No. 2 in 2004)
Apologies To: D.J. Augustin, Adam Morrison
Oh the curse of being an expansion team. Only dating back to 2004, this franchise doesn't have many players to choose from and quite frankly, none are great options. In this super-league, the Bobcats might be hard-pressed to win a single game.
Felton
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
Henderson
Career Per-Game Averages: 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.4 blocks
Dudley
Career Per-Game Averages: 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks
May
Career Per-Game Averages: 6.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks
Okafor
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.8 blocks
Tier 6: The Incomplete Teams
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Our second tier contains a lot of quality players and a few decent teams, but each and every starting five is incomplete.
While there may even be a superstar on each of these six teams, the franchise completely neglected at least one position while drafting and thus there is too big of a weakness to just cover up.
Players like Ruben Patterson, Travis Best, Nazr Mohammed, Joe Smith, Elliott Perry and Aaron McKie really don't belong on any starting five in a league this talented.
29. Los Angeles Lakers
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Point Guard: Nick Van Exel (No. 37 in 1993)
Shooting Guard: Eddie Jones (No. 10 in 1994)
Small Forward: Ruben Patterson (No. 31 in 1998)
Power Forward: A.C. Green (No. 23 in 1985)
Center: Vlade Divac (No. 26 in 1989)
Apologies To: Derek Fisher, Marc Gasol, Elden Campbell, Andrew Bynum
Clearly the Lakers have excelled (Exel-ed?) in free agency and the trading market because they've been able to put together contenders year after year despite not drafting any real superstars. Van Exel and Divac make a good one-two punch, but there is no greatness here.
Van Exel
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks
Jones
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks
Patterson
Career Per-Game Averages: 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks
Green
Career Per-Game Averages: 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks
Divac
Career Per-Game Averages: 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.4 blocks
28. Indiana Pacers
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Point Guard: Travis Best (No. 23 in 1995)
Shooting Guard: Reggie Miller (No. 11 in 1987)
Small Forward: Danny Granger (No. 17 in 2005)
Power Forward: Al Harrington (No. 25 in 1998)
Center: Wayman Tisdale (No. 2 in 1985)
Apologies To: Rik Smits, Chuck Person
At least these Pacers have Miller and Granger to jack up a lot of shots, because chances are they'll be down quite a bit with this team. Somehow Travis was the Best point guard that the franchise has drafted since 1985, but that's really not saying much.
Best
Career Per-Game Averages: 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Miller
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks
Granger
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks
Harrington
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks
Tisdale
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks
27. Utah Jazz
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Point Guard: Deron Williams (No. 3 in 2005)
Shooting Guard: Dell Curry (No. 15 in 1986)
Small Forward: Andrei Kirilenko (No. 24 in 1999)
Power Forward: Karl Malone (No. 13 in 1985)
Center: Nazr Mohammed (No. 29 in 1998)
Apologies To: Mo Williams, Paul Millsap
Leave it to Mohammed to ruin an otherwise decent lineup. Williams and Malone may form a dynamic duo much like Stockton and the Mailman did back in the day, but there are no proven winners on this team.
Williams
Career Per-Game Stats: 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks
Curry
Career Per-Game Stats: 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks
Kirilenko
Career Per-Game Stats: 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.0 blocks
Malone
Career Per-Game Stats: 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks
Mohammed
Career Per-Game Stats: 6.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.7 blocks
26. Golden State Warriors
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Point Guard: Tim Hardaway (No. 14 in 1989)
Shooting Guard: Vince Carter (No. 5 in 1998)
Small Forward: Chris Mullin (No. 7 in 1985)
Power Forward: Joe Smith (No. 1 in 1995)
Center: Troy Murphy (No. 14 in 2001)
Apologies To: Mitch Richmond, Latrell Sprewell, Anfernee Hardaway, Gilbert Arenas, Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Andris Biedrins
At point guard, shooting guard and small forward, this team is actually stacked. How many other teams would love to have even one of Richmond, Sprewell, Penny Hardaway, Arenas, Elllis or Curry? Amazingly, those players would all be forced to bench roles on this squad. It's too bad they can't help out a rather pitiful frontcourt.
Hardaway
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.1 blocks
Carter
Career Per-Game Averages: 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks
Mullin
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks
Smith
Career Per-Game Averages: 10.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks
Murphy
Career Per-Game Averages: 11.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks
25. Los Angeles Clippers
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Point Guard: Elliot Perry (No. 37 in 1991)
Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon (No. 7 in 2008)
Small Forward: Lamar Odom (No. 4 in 1999)
Power Forward: Blake Griffin (No. 1 in 2009)
Center: Benoit Benjamin (No. 3 in 1985)
Apologies To: Danny Manning, Hersey Hawkins, Antonio McDyess
Perry and Benjamin really pushed this team down in the rankings, but in the future they could rise higher up if Gordon and Griffin continue to develop. Don't forget just how good Odom was during his prime either. This team has lots of potential.
Perry
Career Per-Game Averages: 6.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Gordon
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks
Odom
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks
Griffin
Career Per-Game Averages: 21.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks
Benjamin
Career Per-Game Averages: 11.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.0 blocks
24. Portland Trail Blazers
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Point Guard: Terry Porter (No. 24 in 1985)
Shooting Guard: Drazen Petrovic (No. 60 in 1986)
Small Forward: Aaron McKie (No. 17 in 1994)
Power Forward: Zach Randolph (No. 19 in 2001)
Center: Jermaine O'Neal (No. 17 in 1996)
Apologies To: Anthony Mason, Cliff Robinson, Arvydas Sabonis, Walter Perry
A team lacking of a really big name, Portland still has managed to assemble a pretty good roster here. Petrovic can absolutely light up the scoreboard on any given night, but the big worry here has to be a significant lack of athleticism.
Porter
Career Per-Game Stats: 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.1 blocks
Petrovic
Career Per-Game Stats: 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
McKie
Career Per-Game Stats: 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Randolph
Career Per-Game Stats: 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
O'Neal
Career Per-Game Stats: 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.9 blocks
Tier 5: Middle of the Pack
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The next six teams are all good enough to win a game on any given night, but they don't have enough star power to really compete with the elite teams on a consistent basis.
Every one of the teams in this tier has a few great players, but the complementing ones still aren't quite good enough. As opposed to the previous tier though, the good players make up for the holes in this one.
Any team here could make the playoffs, but you probably wouldn't feel confident putting any money down on them.
23. Sacramento Kings
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Point Guard: Tyreke Evans (No. 4 in 2009)
Shooting Guard: Kevin Martin (No. 26 in 2004)
Small Forward: Peja Stojakovic (No. 14 in 1996)
Power Forward: Hedo Turkoglu (No. 16 in 2000)
Center: DeMarcus Cousins (No. 5 in 2010)
Apologies To: Michael Adams, Kenny Smith, Billy Owens, Brian Grant, Gerald Wallace
This team will have absolutely no trouble scoring the ball at all, but they may become this league's version of the real Golden State Warriors. Cousins is the only true threat to assault the double-digit barrier in the rebounding column on a nightly basis and no one wants to step up to block shots.
Evans
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.4 blocks
Martin
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Stojakovic
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Turkoglu
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Cousins
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks
22. Memphis Grizzlies
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Point Guard: Mike Bibby (No. 2 in 1998)
Shooting Guard: Steve Francis (No. 2 in 1999)
Small Forward: Shane Battier (No. 6 in 2001)
Power Forward: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (No. 3 in 1996)
Center: Kevin Love (No. 5 in 2008)
Apologies To: Bryant Reeves, Drew Gooden, Jamaal Tinsley
None of these players, with the possible exception of Francis, are really thought of as superstars, but all of them are great players in their own rights. With Battier serving as a glue guy, this team could make some noise.
Bibby
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Francis
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.4 blocks
Battier
Career Per-Game Averages: 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks
Abdur-Rahim
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks
Love
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks
21. Houston Rockets
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Point Guard: Sam Cassell (No. 24 in 1993)
Shooting Guard: Rudy Gay (No. 8 in 2006)
Small Forward: Richard Jefferson (No. 13 in 2001)
Power Forward: Robert Horry (No. 11 in 1992)
Center: Yao Ming (No. 1 in 2002)
Apologies To: Sam Mitchell, Cuttino Mobley
With a healthy Ming prowling the paint and Cassell, Gay and Jefferson doing the rest, all this team needs to do is keep the game to one possession when the final buzzer is about to sound. Then Big Shot Bob can do the rest.
Cassell
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks
Gay
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks
Jefferson
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks
Horry
Career Per-Game Averages: 7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks
Ming
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.9 blocks
20. Atlanta Hawks
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Point Guard: Jason Terry (No. 10 in 1999)
Shooting Guard: Josh Childress (No. 6 in 2004)
Small Forward: Josh Smith (No. 17 in 2004)
Power Forward: Al Horford (No. 3 in 2007)
Center: Pau Gasol (No. 3 in 2001)
Apologies To: Boris Diaw, Alan Henderson, Stacey Augmon, Haywoode Workman
It's amazing that the Atlanta Hawks never drafted a single shooting guard better than Josh Childress. If it wasn't for him, this team would be a lot higher in the rankings. The other four members of the squad are all great, versatile players and the frontcourt is especially good.
Terry
Career per-game averages: 16.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks
Childress
Career per-game averages: 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks
Smith
Career per-game averages: 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.2 blocks
Horford
Career per-game averages: 12.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.1 blocks
Gasol
Career per-game averages: 18.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.7 blocks
19. Washington Wizards
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Point Guard: John Wall (No. 1 in 2010)
Shooting Guard: Devin Harris (No. 5 in 2004)
Small Forward: Rip Hamilton (No. 7 in 1999)
Power Forward: Rasheed Wallace (No. 4 in 1995)
Center: Juwan Howard (No. 5 in 1994)
Apologies To: Muggsy Bogues, Harvey Grant, Tom Gugliotta
Another very solid team, Washington borders on great but has to settle for good. Although Wall is still developing and has a chance to propel this team higher, the Wizards lack an established superstar on this team that will contribute all-around minutes on a nightly basis. That would have been Wallace's role, but come on, what are the chances that Sheed can avoid enough technicals for that to happen?
Wall
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks
Harris
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Hamilton
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Wallace
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks
Howard
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks
18. Detroit Pistons
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Point Guard: Rodney Stuckey (No. 15 in 2007)
Shooting Guard: Joe Dumars (No. 18 in 1985)
Small Forward: Grant Hill (No. 3 in 1994)
Power Forward: Dennis Rodman (No. 27 in 1986)
Center: Mehmet Okur (No. 37 in 2001)
Apologies To: Allan Houston, Tayshaun Prince, Greg Monroe
When Stuckey is the weak link on the team, you know you're in pretty good shape. Dumars, Hill and Rodman would make a very formidable threesome in their primes. And good luck getting a rebound against this squad.
Stuckey
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks
Dumars
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Hill
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks
Rodman
Career Per-Game Averages: 7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks
Okur
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.7 blocks
Tier 4: Now We're Getting Somewhere
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While the previous tier was filled with teams that you could feel good, but not great, about, this one is different.
Each of the teams here is going to make you stop and think to yourself, "Wow! That would be a really good team in today's league."
What these ones won't do though is make you question whether they could beat the all-time greatest teams in NBA history.
17. Denver Nuggets
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Point Guard: Jameer Nelson (No. 20 in 2004)
Shooting Guard: Jalen Rose (No. 13 in 1994)
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony (No. 3 in 2003)
Power Forward: Rodney Rogers (No. 9 in 1993)
Center: Dikembe Mutombo (No. 4 in 1991)
Apologies To: Vernon Maxwell, Brent Barry, Raef LaFrentz, LaPhonso Ellis
Rogers is by no means great while Nelson and Rose are borderline great players, but make no mistake about it: 'Melo and Mutombo can carry this team. Anthony is more than capable of handling the scoring load while Mt. Mutombo is perfectly content to be a premier defensive stopper.
Nelson
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Rose
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Anthony
Career Per-Game Averages: 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks
Rogers
Career Per-Game Averages: 10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks
Mutombo
Career Per-Game Averages: 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.4 steals, 2.8 blocks
16. Dallas Mavericks
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Point Guard: Jason Kidd (No. 2 in 1994)
Shooting Guard: Jim Jackson (No. 4 in 1992)
Small Forward: Jamal Mashburn (No. 4 in 1993)
Power Forward: Detlef Schrempf (No. 8 in 1985)
Center: Roy Tarpley (No. 7 in 1986)
Apologies To: Mark Price, Josh Howard
You may as well refer to these Dallas Mavericks as the all-underrated team. Now that Kidd has a title he deserves to be in any conversation about the greatest point guards of all time. Meanwhile, Jackson, Mashburn, Schrempf and Tarpley all deserve more credit than they get.
Kidd
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
Jackson
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks
Mashburn
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Schrempf
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Tarpley
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks
15. New York Knicks
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Point Guard: Mark Jackson (No. 18 in 1987)
Shooting Guard: Gerald Wilkins (No. 47 in 1985)
Small Forward: Wilson Chandler (No. 23 in 2007)
Power Forward: David Lee (No. 30 in 2005)
Center: Patrick Ewing (No. 1 in 1985)
Apologies To: Rod Strickland, Nene Hilario
Wilkins and Chandler are both solid players, but neither one of them is great by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, Jackson is a fantastic accumulator of assists and his job will only be made easier with Lee and Ewing in the frontcourt.
Jackson
Career Per-Game Averages: 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.1 blocks
Wilkins
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Chandler
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks
Lee
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks
Ewing
Career Per-Game Averages: 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.4 blocks
14. New Jersey Nets
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Point Guard: Mookie Blaylock (No. 12 in 1989)
Shooting Guard: Kerry Kittles (No. 8 in 1996)
Small Forward: Derrick Coleman (No. 1 in 1990)
Power Forward: Kenyon Martin (No. 1 in 2000)
Center: Brook Lopez (No. 10 in 2008)
Apologies To: Kenny Anderson, P.J. Brown, Tim Thomas
An absolutely fantastic rebounding and defensive team, New Jersey may struggle to score at times, but that won't matter often. Good luck crashing either the offensive or defensive boards as every player is capable of pulling down a rebound. And if you wander into the lane, watch out for the shot-blockers.
Blaylock
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.3 blocks
Kittles
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
Coleman
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.3 blocks
Martin
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks
Lopez
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.7 blocks
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Point Guard: Pooh Richardson (No. 10 in 1989)
Shooting Guard: Ray Allen (No. 5 in 1996)
Small Forward: Isaiah Rider (No. 5 in 1993)
Power Forward: Kevin Garnett (No. 5 in 1995)
Center: Christian Laettner (No. 3 in 1992)
Apologies To: Brandon Roy, Donyell Marshall, Wally Szczerbiak, O.J. Mayo
To some extent, Laettner and Rider were both quite disappointing and Richardson was never great, but all three of them are still solid contributors. Add in Allen and Garnett and you've got a very good team on your hands.
Richardson
Career Per-Game Averages: 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks
Allen
Career Per-Game Averages: 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Rider
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocks
Garnett
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks
Laettner
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks
12. Philadelphia 76ers
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Point Guard: Allen Iverson (No. 1 in 1996)
Shooting Guard: Jerry Stackhouse (No. 3 in 1995)
Small Forward: Andre Iguodala (No. 9 in 2004)
Power Forward: Keith Van Horn (No. 2 in 1997)
Center: Samuel Dalembert (No. 26 in 2001)
Apologies To: Charles Smith, Clarence Weatherspoon, Larry Hughes
No team that deploys The Answer is ever going to have much trouble scoring, but the question here is who makes up the rest of the team that surrounds Iverson? Stackhouse, Iguodala and Van Horn are all great offensive options and it doesn't hurt to have a defensive presence like Dalembert in the lane.
Iverson
Career Per-Game Averages: 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Stackhouse
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks
Iguodala
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.5 blocks
Van Horn
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks
Dalembert
Career Per-Game Averages: 8.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.9 blocks
11. Orlando Magic
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Point Guard: Travis Diener (No. 38 in 2005)
Shooting Guard: Mike Miller (No. 5 in 2000)
Small Forward: Nick Anderson (No. 11 in 1989)
Power Forward: Chris Webber (No. 1 in 1993)
Center: Shaquille O'Neal (No. 1 in 1992)
Apologies To: Dwight Howard, Matt Harpring
Compared to the rest of the teams in this hypothetical league, sending out Diener, Miller and Anderson does not exactly help your cause. But then, when your frontcourt consists of Webber and O'Neal, all is forgiven. Amazingly, the Magic will still be able to use Howard off the bench as well.
Diener
Career Per-Game Averages: 4.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks
Miller
Career Per-Game Averages: 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks
Anderson
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.5 blocks
Webber
Career Per-Game Averages: 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks
O'Neal
Career Per-Game Averages: 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.3 blocks
Tier 3: The Pretenders
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The next five teams are all extremely good units, but don't let them fool you into thinking that they can be contenders.
Deep playoff runs would be common for this group, but it would still be devoid of championships.
Once you get through this tier, just remember the famous words of Bachman Turner Overdrive: "You ain't seen nothing yet."
10. Miami Heat
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Point Guard: Dwyane Wade (No. 5 in 2003)
Shooting Guard: Steve Smith (No. 5 in 1991)
Small Forward: Glen Rice (No. 4 in 1989)
Power Forward: Michael Beasley (No. 2 in 2008)
Center: Rony Seikaly (No. 9 in 1988)
Apologies To: Caron Butler, Kurt Thomas
A very good all-around team, the Heat lead off our newest tier in the league. Wade is an absolute stud who is fully capable of carrying this team, but he just doesn't have enough help here to move even further up the rankings.
Wade
Career Per-Game Averages: 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks
Smith
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Rice
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
Beasley
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks
Seikaly
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
9. Phoenix Suns
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Point Guard: Steve Nash (No. 15 in 1996)
Shooting Guard: Michael Finley (No. 21 in 1995)
Small Forward: Luol Deng (No. 7 in 2004)
Power Forward: Shawn Marion (No. 9 in 1999)
Center: Amar'e Stoudemire (No. 9 in 2002)
Apologies To: Jeff Hornacek, Armen Gilliam, Dan Majerle, Cedric Ceballos, Stephen Jackson, Rajon Rondo
So basically, let's take the run-and-gun spurs of old (Nash, Marion and Stoudemire) and then add in Finley and Deng to the mix. The result of this recipe is an extremely potent offensive unit that doesn't always manage to get stops on the defensive end of the floor.
Nash
Career Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks
Finley
Career Per-Game Stats: 15.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks
Deng
Career Per-Game Stats: 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks
Marion
Career Per-Game Stats: 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.2 blocks
Stoudemire
Career Per-Game Stats: 21.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.5 blocks
8. Boston Celtics
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Point Guard: Chauncey Billups (No. 3 in 1997)
Shooting Guard: Joe Johnson (No. 10 in 2001)
Small Forward: Paul Pierce (No. 10 in 1998)
Power Forward: Antoine Walker (No. 6 in 1996)
Center: Al Jefferson (No. 15 in 2004)
Apologies To: Ron Mercer, Rick Fox, Dee Brown, Dino Radja, Reggie Lewis
Good luck finding a weak link on this team. Pierce is clearly the star and leader of the starting five, but it's not like Billups, Johnson, Walker or Jefferson can be considered scrubs. Just hope that Walker doesn't mess up the chemistry too much.
Billups
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Johnson
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Pierce
Career Per-Game Averages: 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks
Walker
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks
Jefferson
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
7. Toronto Raptors
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Point Guard: Damon Stoudamire (No. 7 in 1995)
Shooting Guard: Tracy McGrady (No. 9 in 1997)
Small Forward: Antawn Jamison (No. 4 in 1998)
Power Forward: Chris Bosh (No. 4 in 2003)
Center: Marcus Camby (No. 2 in 1996)
Apologies To: Andrea Bargnani, Charlie Villanueva
Once again, this team is filled with solid players, but I'm not really sure whether Raptors fans are going to be happy or sad to see Bosh back in his old uniform. The combination of the velociraptor look-alike, McGrady and Jamison will be an incredible scoring group.
Stoudamire
Career Per-Game Stats: 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks
McGrady
Career Per-Game Stats: 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks
Jamison
Career Per-Game Stats: 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
Bosh
Career Per-Game Stats: 20.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.1 blocks
Camby
Career Per-Game Stats: 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.5 blocks
6. Chicago Bulls
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Point Guard: Derrick Rose (No. 1 in 2008)
Shooting Guard: Ben Gordon (No. 3 in 2004)
Small Forward: Ron Artest (No. 16 in 1999)
Power Forward: Elton Brand (No. 1 in 1999)
Center: Horace Grant (No. 10 in 1987)
Apologies To: Toni Kukoc, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joakim Noah
I originally had this team a lot lower in the rankings, but moved them up each time I took another look at the squad. I just can't quite justify moving them up into the next tier. These Bulls have the league's reigning MVP, who will fill up the scoreboard along with free-shooting Gordon and Brand in the post. Everyone on the team can pass proficiently while Grant and Artest will provide great defense night in and night out.
Rose
Career Per-Game Averages: 20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
Gordon
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks
Artest
Career Per-Game Averages: 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.6 blocks
Brand
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.9 blocks
Grant
Career Per-Game Averages: 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks
Tier 2: The Contenders
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The next two teams are good enough that I would consider them contenders for the title year in and year out. They're just not quite strong enough for me to consider them prohibitive favorites.
That said, arguments could be made for each of the two that they are the preeminent team in this hypothetical league.
Get ready to see some stars.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
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Point Guard: Stephon Marbury (No. 4 in 1996)
Shooting Guard: Michael Redd (No. 43 in 2000)
Small Forward: Glenn Robinson (No. 1 in 1994)
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki (No. 9 in 1998)
Center: Andrew Bogut (No. 1 in 2005)
Apologies To: Vin Baker, T.J. Ford, Brandon Jennings, Scott Skiles
Even though Nowitzki, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, has spent every single minute of his impressive career with the Dallas Mavericks, he was still drafted onto this team. He, along with Marbury, Redd and Robinson can all go for 20 points each and every night. Bogut, when healthy, is a great defensive presence in the post.
Marbury
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.1 blocks
Redd
Career Per-Game Averages: 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Robinson
Career Per-Game Averages: 20.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks
Nowitzki
Career Per-Game Averages: 23.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks
Bogut
Career Per-Game Averages: 12.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.6 blocks
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Point Guard: Gary Payton (No. 2 in 1990)
Shooting Guard: Kevin Durant (No. 2 in 2007)
Small Forward: Scottie Pippen (No. 5 in 1987)
Power Forward: Shawn Kemp (No. 17 in 1989)
Center: Serge Ibaka (No. 24 in 2008)
Apologies To: Xavier McDaniel, Gary Grant, Rashard Lewis, Russell Westbrook, Cory Maggette
Fortunately for the Thunder, we're allowed to go back in time and take the SuperSonics draft picks as well. Otherwise, this roster would look an awful lot like Oklahoma City's current starting five. With Payton shutting down opposing guards, Durant lighting it up on offense, Pippen doing everything well, Kemp throwing down monstrous dunks and Ibaka blocking shots left and right, this is a potent unit.
Payton
Career Per-Game Stats: 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.2 blocks
Durant
Career Per-Game Stats: 25.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks
Pippen
Career Per-Game Stats: 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks
Kemp
Career Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks
Ibaka
Career Per-Game Stats: 8.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.9 blocks
Tier 1: The Favorites
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Congratulations on making it to the final tier.
The next three teams are indisputably great. Each one could easily become a dynasty.
There is not a single weak spot on any of the rosters and superstars abound.
But remember that only one can come out on top.
3. New Orleans Hornets
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Point Guard: Chris Paul (No. 4 in 2005)
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (No. 13 in 1996)
Small Forward: Larry Johnson (No. 1 in 1991)
Power Forward: David West (No. 18 in 2003)
Center: Alonzo Mourning (No. 2 in 1992)
Apologies To: Rex Chapman, Ricky Davis, Baron Davis
Chris Paul passing to Kobe Bryant? Enough said. Well, I guess the rest of the team is quite good too.
Paul
Career Per-Game Averages: 18.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.1 blocks
Bryant
Career Per-Game Averages: 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks
Johnson
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks
West
Career Per-Game Averages: 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks
Mourning
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, 2.5 blocks
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
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Point Guard: Kevin Johnson (No. 7 in 1987)
Shooting Guard: Jamal Crawford (No. 8 in 2000)
Small Forward: LeBron James (No. 1 in 2003)
Power Forward: Carlos Boozer (No. 34 in 2002)
Center: Brad Daugherty (No. 1 in 1986)
Apologies To: Charles Oakley, Johnny Newman, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Andre Miller
When high-scoring Jamal Crawford is the team's lowest scorer, things are looking good. As much as it will kill Cleveland fans to see No. 23 back in his old colors, he is undoubtedly the best player on this incredible team. There is no weakness here except for the fact that LeBron hasn't proven he can win a championship yet. Too soon?
Johnson
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
Crawford
Career Per-Game Averages: 15.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
James
Career Per-Game Averages: 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks
Boozer
Career Per-Game Averages: 17.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks
Daugherty
Career Per-Game Averages: 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks
1. San Antonio Spurs
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Point Guard: Tony Parker (No. 28 in 2001)
Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobili (No. 57 in 1999)
Small Forward: Sean Elliott (No. 3 in 1989)
Power Forward: Tim Duncan (No. 1 in 1997)
Center: David Robinson (No. 1 in 1987)
Apologies To: Johnny Dawkins, Luis Scola, Kevin Duckworth
These five players have spent a combined 60 seasons in the NBA and 59 of them have been with the San Antonio Spurs. The only exception was the 1993-94 season, which Elliott spent with the Detroit Pistons. That speaks volumes about just how great the Spurs management really is.
Various combinations of these five men have managed to win three titles and with the exception of Parker and Elliott, they've all played together at some point in time. Chemistry is important in the NBA and we know these guys have that. Additionally, these Spurs have two of the all-time greats composing their frontcourts.
Parker, Ginobili, Elliott, Duncan and Robinson playing together while all in their primes would be truly terrifying for every other team.
Parker
Career Per-Game Stats: 16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Ginobili
Career Per-Game Stats: 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks
Elliott
Career Per-Game Stats: 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks
Duncan
Career Per-Game Stats: 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.3 blocks
Robinson
Career Per-Game Stats: 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 3.0 blocks









