The NBA All-Time No. 1 Overall Draft Picks Team

There have been 65 No. 1 Overall Picks since the first NBA draft back in 1947.

Some have been the greatest players of all-time, others were some of the biggest busts ever, and some never even played a second in the NBA.

This list will honor the best 12 man team imaginable, consisting of the 12 best players ever drafted No. 1 overall.

And here we go:

Starting Point Guard: Magic Johnson, 1979, Los Angeles Lakers

Getting the starting nod by a nose over the man who will be his backup, from Michigan State University, Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

After averaging 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists while winning the 1979 NCAA Championship in his two seasons as a Spartan, Magic, along with Larry Bird, helped save the NBA in the 1980's.

During his first 10 full years in the league (he missed 45 games during the 1980-81 season due to torn cartilage in his knee), Magic won five NBA championships, three MVP Awards, three finals MVP Awards, was a nine-time first team All-NBA, and led the league in assists per game four times.

For his career, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Starting Shooting Guard: David Thompson, 1975, Atlanta Hawks

From North Carolina State, the man who later influenced Michael Jordan's game, it's David Thompson.

In three years as a varsity starter for NC State, Thompson averaged 26.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, winning two National Player of the Year Awards.

During Thompson's nine years in the ABA and NBA, he averaged 22.7 points shooting 50% from the field, while averaging 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Thompson was a two-time first team All-NBA selection in 1976-77 and 1977-78.

Starting Small Forward: LeBron James, 2003, Cleveland Cavaliers

For those from the state of Ohio, I am sorry. From St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, it's LeBron James.

Over his first eight seasons in the league, James has averaged 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game.

James has won two MVP Awards, been named to five All-NBA first teams, and three NBA All-Defensive first teams.

And he's STILL just 26 years old. That may be what is most amazing.

Starting Power Forward: Tim Duncan, 1997, San Antonio Spurs

From the University of Wake Forest, it's Tim Duncan.

Duncan finished his college career in style, winning the Player of the Year Award in 1997 as a senior, finishing the season averaging 20.8 points and 14.7 rebounds per game.

In his 14 years with the Spurs, Duncan has averaged 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

He has won four championships, three finals MVP Awards, two regular season MVP Awards, been a nine time All-NBA first teamer, and an eight time All-Defensive first teamer.

Not bad for a guy who didn't play basketball until he was a freshman in high school.

Starting Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1969, Milwaukee Bucks

At center, from UCLA, call him Lew Alcindor, call him Kareem, whatever his name is, he's still one of the five best players of all-time and the starting center on this team.

In his three varsity seasons at UCLA, Jabbar averaged 26.4 points and 15.5 rebounds per game while leading the Bruins to an 88-2 record and three straight National Championships, while also winning three Final Four Most Outstanding Player Awards and two Player of the Year Awards

His huge college success was equaled, if not surpassed in the NBA. In 20 seasons, Jabbar averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Taking away his last season in the league, Jabbar averaged 25.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game, respectively.

Jabbar was a six-time champion, six-time MVP, two-time finals MVP, a 10-time first team All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive first team selection, and a 19-time All-Star.

Oh, and he's the all-time leading scorer in the NBA as well.

Bench: Shaquille O'Neal, 1992, Orlando Magic

Perhaps, the most dominant force in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal is this team's backup center.

In three seasons at LSU, O'Neal averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. When O'Neal won the Player of the Year Award in 1990-91 he averaged 27.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks per game.

In 19 years with the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and Celtics, O' Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

Shaq won four titles, three finals MVP Awards, was a one-time MVP, a two-time scoring champion, an eight-time All-NBA first teamer, and a 15-time All-Star.

Shaq retired at the end of last season and is a sure fire Hall of Famer.

Bench: Blake Griffin, 2009, Los Angeles Clippers

Pick your jaws up off the floor, as Blake Griffin is the right choice, and nearly the only choice, as this team's backup power forward. Thanks to a severe lack of top power forward draft choices and a tremendous first season, Griffin makes it on the team.

In Griffin's sophomore year at Oklahoma, he averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds, while winning the Player of the Year Award.

After missing all of his rookie season with a knee injury, Griffin took the league by storm last season, averaging 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds while winning the Rookie of the Year Award, and became the first Clipper since Brent Barry to win the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.

Bench: Elgin Baylor, 1958, Minneapolis Lakers

One of the greatest players to never win a championship, from the College of Idaho and Seattle University, Elgin Baylor is this team's backup small forward.

In his three collegiate seasons, Baylor averaged 31.3 points and 19.5 rebounds per game.

In Baylor's 14 NBA seasons, all with the Lakers, he averaged 27.4 points,13.5 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game.

He was an 11-time All-Star and made 10 All-NBA first teams.

Bench: Allen Iverson, 1996, Philadelphia 76ers

From Georgetown, it is the backup shooting guard, "The Answer," Allen Iverson.

In Iverson's two seasons at Georgetown, he averaged 23.0 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Over his 14 years in the league, Iverson averaged 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. He finished his career as a four-time scoring champion, a four-time All-NBA first teamer, an 11-time All-Star and the 2001 league MVP.

Bench: Oscar Robertson, 1960, Cincinnati Royals

From the University of Cincinnati, it's "The Big O," Oscar Robertson, the team's backup point guard.

In his three collegiate seasons, Robertson averaged 33.8 points, 15.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists.

Over Robertson's 14 seasons in the league, he averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds.

During his 1961-62 campaign, Robertson became the only player in league history to average a triple double over the entire season. He nearly repeated the feat in two later seasons.

By the time his career was over, Robertson had been a nine-time first team All-NBA selection, a 12-time All-Star, a 1971 NBA Champion, and a one-time MVP. 

Bench: Elvin Hayes, 1968, San Diego Rockets

From the University of Houston, Elvin Hayes is the team's 11th man.

In his three seasons at Houston, Hayes averaged 31.0 points and 17.2 rebounds per game, including 36.8 and 18.9, respectively, during the 1967-68 season when Hayes was named the Player of the Year.

Over his 16 year pro career, Hayes averaged 21.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

Hayes finished his career a 12-time All-Star and three-time first team All-NBA selection, and was a master of dependable play, appearing in at least 80 games every year of his career.

Bench: Hakeem Olajuwon, 1984, Houston Rockets

From Nigeria and the University of Houston, the 12th man is Hakeem Olajuwon.

In "The Dream's" three collegiate seasons, he averaged 13.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.54 blocks per game. 

Over his 18 year pro career, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, and is still the leader in career blocks.

Olajuwon's accolades include being a two-time champion, a 12-time All-Star, a six-time first team All-NBA selection, and a five-time All-Defensive first team selection.

Thanks for reading!

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