Building a Team in the NBA

The NBA today has conformed to the idea that a a team needs at least three stars on the team in order to win a championship and dominate the rest of the league. This got me to thinking about creating the best team in NBA history.

I think we can all agree that if we were starting a team that could consist of any players in NBA history all of us would take Michael Jordan with the number one overall pick.

Michael Jordan would be the center piece of any team. But
who would you put around him?
Courtesy of Jonathan Daniel, All-Sport

What I am curious about is who would round out your starting line-up if you were forming the greatest team of all-time.
With Jordan at the shooting guard you are still going to need a point, two forwards and a center to dominate the paint.

At point guard you want a floor general, someone who runs the offense, plays great defense, distributes with ease, and can hit clutch free-throws down the stretch. Guys that could be mentioned in this category could be Steve Nash, Bob Cousy, Isaiah Thomas, John Stockton, or Walt Frazier. My choice, though, would have to be Magic Johnson because he was a six-foot-eight-inch point guard who changed the position forever.

A small-forward needs to be able to bang down low, as well as be smooth enough to play, and defend, outside as well. Some people might pick guys like Julius Erving, Scottie Pippen, or Elgin Baylor perhaps. The most compelling argument might be for LeBron James, but he still has not proven he can win championships, though that could change very soon. In my mind you can't go with anyone else other than Larry Bird. Larry Legend won multiple championships and was one of the most clutch players in history.

At power-forward you need a player who can defend tough in the post, step out and hit a jumper or two, not be a terrible free-throw shooter, and be finesse at the same time. People might be thinking of names like Dennis Rodman, Dirk Nowitzki, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, or Bob Pettit. The best power forward for your team might be one of the quietest players ever, Tim Duncan. Duncan has twice been named NBA MVP and is known league-wide as a great teammate.

Finally at the center position you will need a skilled guy over seven feet tall who can be a dominant force in the middle and prevent easy baskets. Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Russell, and Hakeem Olajuwon would probably be the names that first jump out to you, but don't forget about the most dominant player in NBA history. Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain had everything that you could want in a center, and then some.

In the end my team would consist of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and Wilt Chamberlain. Who would you want on your team? Leave a comment below.