Creating the Ultimate NBA Team
A long list of players have helped pioneer the game of basketball. They gave us a glimpse of the years ahead by being the best among their peers.
This list will contain a team of 15 players. Five starters, five back-ups, five third-stringers.
They are NBA legends, whether they're currently playing or not.
They are best the NBA has ever offered.
Starting Point Guard: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
1 of 16This was an obvious choice.
Magic lead the "Showtime Lakers" to 5 NBA titles to create one of the greatest dynasties the league has ever seen.
He dazzled fans with his amazing passing ability and creativity on the fast-break.
He was a member of the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team", a 9-Time NBA First-Team selection, a 12-time All-Star, a three-time MVP, and a three-time NBA Finals MVP.
Starting Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan
2 of 16The Greatest of All-time, His Airness, Air Jordan, and MJ. These are all the many of the names that Michael Jeffrey Jordan has been dubbed as because of his amazing career.
So, if you think it through, the greatest of all-time should be the starting shooting guard, the position he played throughout his career.
He is a six-time champion and Finals MVP, a five-time MVP, a 14-time All-Star, the Rookie-of-the-Year in 1985, the Defensive Player of the Year (1988), and a ten-time All-NBA first-team selection.
Starting Small Forward: Larry Bird
3 of 16Larry Bird's name is a staple in the long history of the Boston Celtics.
He had one of the smoothest jump-shots the league has ever seen. He even won the three-point shooting contest three years in a row.
He was a three-time champion and two time Finals MVP, a three-time MVP, a 12-time all-star, and a nine-time All-NBA first-team selection.
Starting Power Forward: Hakeem Olajwon
4 of 16Some might say he was a true center, but because of the terms of this list, I put him as the best Power-Forward of All-Time.
He was a shot-blocking beast and is the all-time leader in that category.
He also lead the only team that took advantage of Michael Jordan's two-year absence, bringing the Rockets two NBA titles.
He was a two-time Finals MVP, an MVP, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a12-time All-Star, and a six-time All-NBA First Team selection.
Starting Center: Wilt Chamberlain
5 of 16Wilt Chamberlain dominated the league like very few could. He was "the" center in the 60's with Bill Russell at a very close second.
It seemed as though he was ahead of his time. In one season he averaged 50 points a game (an NBA record). He even set a record for most points scored in a single game with 100 against the New York Knicks.
He was a two-time NBA champion, a NBA Finals MVP, a four-time regular season MVP, a seven-time All-NBA First-Team selection, and a 13-time All-Star.
Back-Up Point Guard: Oscar Robertson
6 of 16Oscar Robertson defines the term 'versatile.'
He could do it all at 6'5", "Big O" was able to pass, rebound, and score with ease. In fact, he even averaged a triple-double in 1962.
He was an NBA champion, an MVP, a 12-time All-Star, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1961, and a nine-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Back-Up Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
7 of 16Kobe being the number two shooting guard of all-time is now official. He has helped define the last decade of basketball.
Even with his age, he manages to perplex defenders. He is one of the greatest fourth-quarter performers of all-time.
He is a five-time champion, an MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, a 13-time NBA all-star, a nine-time All-NBA first-team selection, and counting.
Back-Up Small Forward: Julius Erving
8 of 16Julius Erving was not only the greatest dunkers of all-time, but was one of the greatest influences on the game.
He was probably the first superstar to utilize an amazing dunking ability during in-game situations. His smooth style helped him slash to the cup and soar over defenders.
Erving was the face of the ABA (American Basketball Association) and then took his talents to southbeach...er...the NBA.
He was an four-time champion(NBA and ABA), two-time playoff MVP(ABA), four-time MVP(NBA and ABA), 16-time All-Star(NBA and ABA), and a nine-time first-team selection(ABA and NBA).
Back-Up Power Forward: Tim Duncan
9 of 16Tim Duncan has often been labeled "the greatest power forward of all-time." Now, on this list, he may not be the starter, but he is still among the great NBA giants.
He, along with Kobe Bryant, has dominated the last decade. Duncan has lead the Spurs to four titles in the last 12 years.
He is a three-time Finals MVP, a two-time MVP, a 13-time all-star, the 1998 Rookie of the Year, and a nine-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Back-Up Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabar
10 of 16The league's all-time leading scorer. That says it all.
For years, Kareem dominated the NBA. He was 'the' center of the 70's and 80's.
He revolutionized how the big man played, using skill and a high basketball I.Q. instead of power and force.
He even had a signature move. How many people can say that?
He was a six-time champion, a six-time MVP, a 19-time All-Star, a two-time Finals MVP, and a 10-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Third-String Point Guard: John Stockton
11 of 16Fundamentally, John Stockton was as good as they get.
He can pass, defend, and shoot, and with Karl Malone by your side, assists are mere child's-play.
He was a 10-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Third-String Shooting Guard: Jerry West
12 of 16Jerry West is all you could ever want in a combo guard.
He could shoot, drive, pass, and play defense. His fundamentals on the court were rock solid.
He is now on the official NBA logo. That's saying something.
He was a champion, NBA Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, and 10-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Third-String Small Forward: LeBron James
13 of 16Too soon? Nope.
LeBron has sparked a revolution in the NBA. His dominance has given him the nicknames such "The King" and "The Chosen One."
I'm not even a fan of LeBron(which is an understatement), and I still have to recognize his already historic NBA career.
He is arguably the greatest talent the league has ever seen.
In his eight seasons in the league, he is a two-time MVP, the Rookie of the Year of 2004, a five-time All-NBA First-Team selection, and a seven-time all-star.
Third-String Power Forward: Karl Malone
14 of 16Karl Malone was a living, breathing monster on the basketball court. At times, he was almost unstoppable. He teamed up with John Stockton to form one the greatest tandems in NBA history.
His brute force allowed him to get inside the paint with ease.
There have been very few big men like Karl Malone.
He was a two-time MVP, a 14-time All-Star, and an 11-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
Third-String Center: Bill Russell
15 of 16Few players' careers have been defined by the word "legacy", but Bill Russell is one of them.
His high basketball I.Q. helped him lead the Celtics to 11 of their 17 NBA titles, including three as a player/coach.
Russell was one of the greatest shot-blockers and rebounders the league has ever seen.
He was a five-time MVP, a 12-time All-Star, and a three-time All-NBA First-Team selection.
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