Kevin Durant and the Ultimate NBA Pickup Hoops Team

With the NBA locked out, pickup basketball is more popular than ever. From Kobe's heroics in the LA Drew League, to Kevin Durant rocking Rucker Park, to Carmelo's Baltimore squad, NBA megastars have still found a way to keep us interested.

Players from the same area are banding together to represent their cities. Fans have been able to see their favorite All-Stars up close and personal, whether it's on the playgrounds of NYC or in small, packed gyms in D.C. and Philly. Summer 2011 has given us some of the best streetball and pickup performances in recent memory.

Although it doesn't replace the NBA season, pickup basketball among NBA and streetball legends did get us thinking about what the ultimate pickup team of current NBA ballers would look like. Who would make the team? Let's take a look:

Starting Center: Dwight "Superman" Howard

Who wouldn’t want a 6’11”, 265 beast who can jump out of the gym? His body is ideal for the rough physical style of city hoops, and he is the best alley-oop finisher in the world.

As a player who has led his NBA team to the finals and also won the Slam Dunk Contest, he’s a baller who will both work to win games but also entertain. The lack of a Hack-a-Shaq element would also benefit a player like him.

Starting Power Forward: Kevin "Big Ticket" Garnett

Garnett makes this elite group because he excels in five aspects that make up the quintessential pickup forward:

1. Toughness: No one doubts KG's toughness.

2. Mid-range shooting: He can shoot over anyone.

3. Rebounding: He'll out-rebound lazy pickup players, even if they are NBA players.

4. Will to win: He's as hungry and driven as anyone.

5. Trash talking: KG is one of the best trash talkers ever. Sorry LeBron and Blake Griffin, but you guys are not mean enough to take the starting spot from KG.

Starting Small Forward: Kevin "Durantula" Durant

What Durant lacks in muscular stature like Garnett and Howard, he makes up for in offensive creativity, ball-handling and a silky-smooth jumper.

These skills have been put on display several times this summer, most notably in his 66-point outburst at Rucker Park and his 59 points against Carmelo and LeBron.

He can get off a shot against anyone on earth with his quick, fluid release; his ability to hit fadeaways and off-balance shots is conducive to the playground style.

Starting Point Guard: Phillip "Hot Sauce" Champion

That’s right, a non-NBAer.

Hot Sauce is one of the best streetball players in the world, and one of the most widely known. His devastating ball-handling skills will help him excel in a pickup game with the best athletes in the world.

Currently playing for the College Park Spyders, Hot Sauce was the main ingredient in the AND1 Mixtape Tour from 2000-2008. What he lacks in fundamentals, he compensates for with unbelievable creativity and “street cred.”

Starting Shooting Guard: Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant

Kobe is toward the end of the prime of his career, but there’s no other competitor I’d rather have on my squad.

He proved that he can still dominate with his Drew League 44-point performance capped by a buzzer-beater. The rest of his skills and superlatives speak for themselves, as do the five rings he has in his trophy case. I’d pick him for my team in a pickup game of anything.

Reserve Center: Tyson "Compton Champ" Chandler

If there's anyone who could compete with Dwight Howard in a rim-rocking competition, it's Tyson Chandler.

The big fella proved to be an integral part of Dallas' scintillating run to the NBA title. He finishes very well in traffic, and is not afraid of the physicality that he would see in a pickup clash. Rebounding and physical defense are also strong suits for Chandler.

Most of all, he's a ferocious dunker and a phenomenal alley-oop flusher.

Reserve Power Forward: Blake "Blake Show" Griffin

The "Blake Show" took the NBA by storm last season, as Griffin attacked rims from coast to coast. He delivered 214 jaw-dropping dunks in his rookie campaign.

In a pickup game, his combination of high-flying, powerful jams and a solid jump shot will serve him well. I look for him to be the type of player to have 15 points in the paint, 15 points outside the paint and 15 rebounds...on a bad night.

Reserve Swingman: LeBron "King" James

LeBron's combination of athleticism and skills serve him well in a pickup scenario. Not many people want to draw a charge against a lightning-quick NFL tight end like King James.

Sometimes a streaky shooter, LeBron does light up the scoreboard as good as anyone once he gets hot. In a pickup game, I'd like to see his energy coming off the bench; he's the type of player who could force a few turnovers that lead to easy fast breaks.

Despite his NBA Finals woes, LeBron is still one of the biggest game-changers in the world.

Reserve Swingman II: Carmelo "Melo" Anthony

Pickup basketball is all about putting points on the board and raining jumpers. Unfortunately for his opponents, Carmelo Anthony is one of the deadliest scorers on the planet.

'Melo uses his superior footwork, ball-handling and deft touch to put the ball in the hoop almost every time he tries. He pushes 30 points across nearly every game, and can shoot from any spot in the gym or on the playground. In a pickup game, get him the rock when all else fails.

Reserve Point Guard: Chris "CP3" Paul

CP3 displayed his elite court vision playing pickup this summer. We all knew he was superb, but I think we were still blown away by his ability to drop dimes and get anywhere he wanted on the court.

Paul can create opportunities for himself and his teammates on any possession. Whether it's penetration into the lane, spotting up or creating his own shot, Paul makes everyone around him look great (and in the process, making himself look spectacular). He will drop 20 points and 10 assists with this team, even if he is coming off the bench.

Reserve Point Guard II: Derrick

You can't have enough skilled guards on a pickup hoops team, and no one would want to leave the NBA MVP off their roster.

His acrobatic forays in the paint and improved jump shot have made him one of the most un-guardable players ever. Rose's strength, explosiveness and playmaking ability give him the ability to score 40 or dish out 15 assists on great defenders.