Now this isn’t anything new and has been done over a thousand times, but who doesn’t enjoy a good discussion about the the greatest players to lace them up on the hardwood. Anyway this is my all time starting five:
*DISCLAIMER* This is an opinion piece, so some people will not agree with my choices but I do welcome healthy discussion.
Starting Point Guard:
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
For fans of the game this won’t come as a surprise in the slightest. The man was a god amongst men, not only cause for a position who’s average height is 6’2″ and he stood at 6’8″. For a time he lead the league in career total assists and averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists a game for his career even through his very public ordeal with AIDs. Just by looking at his highlight reel, his professional resume and his stats you can see just the unique player Magic was.
Fun facts
- Only player ever to have played every position in their career (played centre during his rookie season during the finals)
- Youngest Finals MVP ever
- Current president of Basketball for his old team the Los Angeles Lakers
Runner-up: John Stockton
Starting Shooting Guard
Michael Jordan
Do I really need to explain this decision? The man is called the greatest of all time for a reason. 5 x MVP, 6 x Champion, 6 x finals MVP, highest points per game average with 30.1 per game and never losing a finals series just to name a few of his long list of accomplishments.
Fun facts
- Famously wore the number 23 but also wore the numbers 12 and 45 during his career.
- Is currently the richest athlete on the plant
- Before every game he would eat a 23-ounce steak, a baked potato with ginger ale
Runner-up: Kobe Bryant
Starting Small Forward
Lebron James
Half of the people who read that name are thinking “yeah that’s a fair call” and the other half are ripping out their hair bringing up things like his finals record, or his 2009 game against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals. The “King” is set to break almost every record you can think of with career averages of 27.1ppg, 7.3rpg 7apg. Now usually people appreciate players who can score at will, or have highlight reels filled with blocks and dunks but the main facet of Lebron’s game that makes him such a generational talent is his ability to make everyone around him better. Shown in the 2007 finals run with arguably the worst team ever to make it to the finals.
Fun facts
- Only player ever to lead a finals series in every major statistical category (points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals)
- Only player ever to average a triple double in a finals series
- Recently has donated over $41 million to send 1100 kids to college
Runner-up: Larry Bird
Starting Power Forward
Tim Duncan
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to most people as almost everyone should have Old Man River Walk as the greatest power forward of all time. The Big Fundamental is the definition of consistency and the perfect example of a champion. Winning 5 championships over 3 decades, 2 x MVPs and 15 selections to the All-NBA and All-Defensive team.
Fun Facts
- Although he is arguably one of, if not the, greatest defensive player of all time he never once won a Defensive Player of the Year Award.
- During the 2003 finals Duncan recorded a stat line of 21 pts, 20rbs, 10ass, 8blk but it is highly debated that the officials didn’t count 2 blocks he made keeping him from the coveted quadruple double. It would of made it the only quadruple double in finals history.
- Leads the league in total double doubles. (double digits in two statistical categories)
Runner-up: Karl Malone
Starting Centre
Hakeem Olajuwon
The centre position has been an absolute log jam of talent coming through the 1980s and 1990s with players like Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Moses Malone and David Robinson. Being a Spurs fanatic, it is hard not to choose David Robinson for this spot but the logical side had to go with his superior in the low post, and the mid range, and the defensive end and the.. Well I’m sure you get the point. The man was unstoppable with even the ability to set up his team mates and had a signature move that the stars of today still recreate, the “Dream-Shake”. Almost impossible to guard, and equally as beautiful to watch almost poetic.
Fun facts
- First player ever to win Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, Championship and Finals MVP in the same season.
- Didn’t start playing basketball until the age of 15, was playing soccer up until then.
- Currently teaches current stars and up and coming players whenever they ask for it.
Runner-up: David Robinson
6th Man (Bonus)
Manu Ginobili
Now this selection isn’t based on the overall skill or the stats they put up. Manu Ginobili is the ultimate sixth man mainly because he could easily start on any team even at the age of 39 but welcomed the role without opposition because it was what he was asked to do. Not many stars would agree to a lessened role let alone flourish for over a decade within it. The 2 x All Star, 2 x All-NBA selection and 4 time Champion has started only approx 35% of his games and coming off the bench for the majority of the championship runs for the Spurs.
Runner-up: Kevin McHale
The Killer Crossover 