Creating an MLS Lineup with Current NBA Players

The NBA lockout drags on, and as fans we can only hope for it to terminate.

Players are doing several things to continue their lives like coaching for universities, getting into legal trouble, and playing other sports. However, just imagine if the best players in the league united to form a soccer team. The least popular sport in America would gain immediate attention, and NBA fans would soon resort to soccer!

For the sake of the article, let's just say the next 11 players are as good in basketball as they are in soccer. The list will comply of only a starting 11 man lineup and their name.

Goalkeeper: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard would be a great fit at the goalkeeper position. Why you may ask? Simply because this guy is a defensive beast! He's really agile and tall, so getting the ball passed him would not be easy at all.

His size would obviously be a great advantage, and I can see him getting shutout after shutout. Along with size comes length, and he definitely has that, too. Even though he has great hops, he wouldn't really need them, mainly because just by standing and lifting his arms, he can touch the top of the post!

Defensive Line

Instead of explaining why each of the four defenders would be great at their position, here's just one slide on each of the four players:

Russell Westbrook- He's a great perimeter defender and also has quick hands. And I mean quick! So imagine him having that quick of feet! He had two steals per game last season. He'd be able to launch counterattacks with his amazing speed, resulting in him running around the pitch a lot.

Rajon Rondo- Rondo is obviously a lackluster shooter at best. His offense involves of distributing and layups. His defense is complied of stealing, defending on the perimeter and rebounding. In soccer, he would be used on the wing, ready to set up some corners or make a key pass. He probably would rarely score, but so do real defenders in soccer.

Andrew Bogut- Maybe his big body would slow him down, however, it can make weak strikers tumble when they collide. Bogut averaged almost three blocks last year. How does this compare to soccer? It doesn't really! Yet, his presence out in the defensive line could easily be felt along with Dwight, because he'd be another seven footer. He would be commanding the defense, since he also does that with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Josh Smith- Along with Bogut, his big, buff body would complete this defensive line. He has worked on his perimeter defense and averaged almost two blocks per game. Like I said, blocking doesn't really have to do anything with soccer, but he could send a couple of headers out to the midfielders and strikers. His size and hops really complement each other.

The final way this line would look is:

Westbrook at left back, Bogut at right center back, Smith at left center back, and finally, Rondo at right back with more a winging position.

Midfield

This would easily be their best attribute on the team. With several spectacular passers and dribblers, it was hard to narrow it down to four.

Chris Paul- He would command the midfield and make amazing passes. CP3 not only would combine great dribbling with great passing, but his vision would help make everything way better. He would put fans out of their seats with his crazy heel passes and 360 dribble moves.

Steve Nash- He's one of the players more familiar with soccer on this squad; he used to play as a kid. Now, Nash would basically be an older version of CP3, as it's evident in the NBA today. Yet, he and CP3 would send defenses in chaotic circles, and I bet he would lead the league in assists as well. He doesn't have the hops of CP3, but he certainly can pass as well.

LeBron James- This one's easy. Even though I don't like to admit it, he's a great passer and finisher overall. The only downside is that he'll probably choke in the last 20 minutes of game time. That's were subs come in, though! He somewhat resembles soccer great, Cristiano Ronaldo. He's arrogant and is very good at what he does. Plain and simple.

Dwayne Wade- It was difficult choosing another winger, but ultimately the choice was D-Wade. Just like in the Miami Heat, James and Wade complement each other really well, and they would be able to do the same in soccer. He wouldn't be the top scorer or the top guy in assists, nonetheless, he would get his stats and would contribute in ways the highlights never show.

The way these four players would look like is: Paul in a center midfield position, Nash at his right or left, because it wouldn't matter, James at a right or left wing alternating with Wade.

Striker: Kevin Durant

It was very difficult to narrow it down to two deadly finishers, but the choice between Kevin Durant and an obvious other beat the rest. Durant is an upcoming force in the NBA, and he's known best for scoring.

That would easily be the case in this team.

He'd probably lead the team and maybe even the MLS in scoring. He's not that strong, yet he figures out how to get passed defenses and can make his own shot. I see him mostly receiving lob and long balls for his speed to get them and score.

It doesn't seem he uses a numerous amount of skills, so obviously this is the reason why I see him either cherry picking or getting goals without doing much.

In time, he will be the best in the NBA and develop strength plus better dribbling skills.

Captain & Second Striker: Kobe Bryant

You think he's declining? Think again!

Kobe has two or three MVP caliber seasons but will be outshined by younger stars. Anyways, Bryant has a great link to soccer. He was raised in Italy for most of his childhood and could only really find a game of soccer around his parts.

He's a deadly killer and can strike at any time. He'd be everywhere on the pitch and would be the biggest contributor on the squad. 

Obviously, his leadership is necessary and phenomenal. He wants to win, and he'll let his teammates know that—even if it ticks them off.

I see him being No. 10, which is the number signifying you're the best on the team.

The Team Name?

Where would the team be located? What would the team name be?

In my opinion, Chivas USA or LA Galaxy would relocate and let the new team of NBA superstars arrive where winning happens: Los Angeles. But that's my opinion. I want to hear yours!

The team name? It would be the Los Angeles Ballers. Original? Maybe. I'm not sure. Good name? Sounds better than most team names in the MLS anyways!

Thanks for the read and let me know what you guys think!