All-Time, All-NBA team
So I absolutely love this aspect of ranking all-everything teams. I have spent many a hours thinking about how many good teams there could have been and could be put together.
Usually they consist of present day teams, allowing the teams to be plausible. However, these team will put the greatest players of all time on the floor, all at once, making it an unstoppable force.
Sure the team will be absent of some big names. Some players won't make it, just because I purely don't like them. Some will make it because I simply enjoy watching them. Some players won't be in their prototypical position, but they will be justified.
The Starters
Oscar Robertson
Point Guard, 6'5", Cincinnati Royals/Milwaukee Bucks
The most versatile basketball player ever. Period. Magic comes close, but not that close. His height limited his versatility in terms of positions he could play, but that didn't limit his dominance.
The Big O was a winner at every level. He won two Indiana State Titles in high school. He took Cincinnati to two final fours. Won an Olympic gold. And an NBA Championship.
He's the only player in history to average a triple double for a whole season and averaged a triple double during his first five years in the NBA. He could score, 25.7 points per game for his career (without three-pointers.) His floor vision, unequaled, 9.5 assists per game. Rebounding, not a problem, superior positioning allowed him to grab 7.5 per game.
On this team, he'll bring playmaking abilities, pugnacious defense and enormous effort.
Michael Jordan
Shooting Guard, 6'6", Chicago Bulls
Big surprise, right? Actually, in my eyes almost. I get sick of people saying he's the best ever, no contest. But in reality it should be. 1-A Jordan, 1-1A Robertson, 1-AA Magic, in no particular order.
That being said, Jordan was a winner. Six championships with the Bulls. Plenty of scoring power.
The 5-time MVP averaged 30 ppg for his career, along with six rpg and five apg. That's right up there with the best of them. One year he even scored 37 ppg, that truly is a feat in the age he played.
On this team, he will be the go to scorer, that's all I would expect to see him do on this team.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Guard/Forward/Center, 6'9", Los Angeles Lakers
Magic was a winner at every level, just like The Big O. He won in high school. College. And the Pros.
What made Johnson so spectacular was his versatility. His height, knowledge, instincts and skill set made it possible for him to play every position on the floor. As a rookie, in the 1980 NBA Finals, Johnson started at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, they won the game, and the series.
The 3-time MVP averaged 19 ppg, 11 apg and seven rpg and will be asked to to assist Oscar in spreading the ball evenly and commanding excellence from his teammates.
Bill Russell
Power Forward/Center, 6'10", Boston Celtics
Russell did what everyone wishes they could do. Win 11 NBA Championships in 13 seasons. He was their leader. Defensively he set the pace. Commanding the lane like no one else.
His defensive prowess is legendary and the 5-time MVP pulled down an astonishing 22 rpg in his career. His scoring and passing abilities weren't bad either, with 15 ppg and four apg.
On this team, he will be asked to do the same as he was on the Celtics. Shut down the lane, force the ball to the perimeter and don't allow the other team second chances.
Wilt Chamberlain
Center, 7'2", Philadelphia 76ers/Los Angeles Lakers
Wilt the Stilt was an all-around talent like Magic and The Big O packaged in a 7' frame. He is still the only player to score 100 points in a game and scored 50 118 times.
In his career he average 30 ppg, 22 rpg and four apg. His big man prowess was very similar to Russell, except with a hint of scoring. He and Russell are the only people to pull down 50 rebounds in a game and blocked shots weren't statistics yet.
The 4-time MVP will be asked to help Russell control the lane defensively and help Jordan shoulder the scoring load.
Reserves
(This is were it gets tricky, but I'm still limiting it to just 15 players)
John Stockton
Point Guard, 6'1", Utah Jazz
Purest of the point guards, he literally did little but pass and play defense. He is the all-time leader in assists and steals. Though his per games aren't too great (eight ppg, two spg, 10.5 apg), his longevity, durability, toughness and efficiency have gone unequaled.
He won't be asked to contribute to the scoring, just dish the ball to the prolific scorers on the team.
Karl Malone
Power Forward, 6'9", Utah Jazz
First off, his year on the Lakers doesn't count. Second, if John Stockton is playing, The Mailman has to be somewhere near by. A pick and roll with the two became one of the most unstoppable forces of all-time.
Malone is second all-time in scoring, and averaged 25 ppg in his career on 51.6 percent shooting. He wasn't too shabby at rebounding either, 10.1 per game. He's a good shooter from outside, which made him hard for burly forwards to defend.
Malone will be called upon for clutch post work, aggressive play and hard work.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Center, 7'2", Houston Rockets
The Dream will add more defensive prowess to the team already anchored by Chamberlain and Russell. The most prolific shot blocker in history, with three a game, and a great rebounder, 11 per game, Olajuwon will be a welcomed addition if either of the starters get into foul trouble.
He''ll be asked to rebound, block shots and perhaps score a little bit as well, with a career average of 22.
John Havlicek
Guard, 6'5", Boston Celtics
Though Havlicek owns the record for most shots, his 20 ppg for his career makes up for that some what. Havlicek offered up superior defense at the guard spots in contrast to Russell's post.
The 8-time NBA Champion was an eight time selection to All-NBA Defensive teams, Havlicek is infamous for his his steal to seal 1965 Eastern Conference Final.
Havlicek will be called off the bench in order to shutdown the opposing teams best perimeter scorer.
Isiah Thomas
Point Guard, 6'1", Detroit Pistons
A hybrid point, Thomas was able to lead the Pistons to two titles despite playing against Bird's Celtics, Magic's Lakers and Jordan's Bulls.
Thomas could score, 19 ppg, pass, nine apg, and play defense, two steals per game. But he was known for his heart, will and tenacity.
The team would call on Thomas mostly when it counted. He once scored 16 points in 94 seconds. His clutch performances could propel any team to overcome any deficit.
Pete Maravich
Guard, 6'5", New Orleans Jazz
We're going mostly on his prolific college days where he still stands as the all-time Division 1 scorer, with an outstanding 44.2 ppg. Not to mention whenever I watch my dad play basketball, he reminds me of Pistol Pete.
An out-burst of 68 points in a single NBA game shows that his college skills were no fluke. In his NBA life-span he scored 24 ppg, shooting 44 percent from the field, including 10-15 from three pointers in his only season with the arc.
He would be called upon as a three point specialist and too add a rebound or two, as indicated by his 5.4 rpg.
Dominique Wilkins
Forward, 6'8", Atlanta Hawks
Every team needs an explosive player. And that is just want The Human Highlight Film is.
He can turn any break away, even open floor, into an amazing in game dunk and will be called upon to liven up the team if motivation is down.
Julius Erving
Small Forward, 6'7", Philadelphia 76ers
Dr. J will be used similarly to Wilkins, a exciting player who can charge up the team.
His dunks and athletic lay-ups and post work will be used to get around bigger post defenders and allow the big guys to worry about rebounds. His tomahawk jam and 'fro will bring a welcomed addition of style to the team.
Wes Unseld
Center, 6'7", Washington Bullets
Can you ever have too many amazing defenders? No, haven't you ever heard defense wins championships. Unseld, despite his size was a terrific low-post defender.
Superb positioning and determination made his physical game successful against the other center in the heyday of big men.
In today's game, refs call more and more wimpy fouls, meaning more subs will be needed. Unseld fits the mold to adequately replace Chamberlain, Russell and Olajuwon.
Clyde Drexler
Guard/Forward, 6'7", Portland Trail Blazers
Drexler, like Wilkins and Dr. J, was an above the rim staple. His fluid play and amazing finishing skills garnered his nickname 'The Glide.'
Like the rest of the combo players on the team, The Glide will be asked to provide a mix of skills to the team and allow the starters a break, without losing any talent.
Sorry to all of the great players who were left off the list. It was either because I didn't like your style of play, felt your style wasn't fitting of the team's chemistry or just plain didn't make it. Also, active players were not eligible on my team.
