This team is built with the idea that the greatest players do not always equal the greatest team. It's also built with the idea of competing in today's NBA, where teams like to go smaller and be quicker. However, all players are considered in their primes and reap the benefits of today's training and vitamins, which means that a player from the 1960s is going to be assumed to have the same strength and abilities he would have if he were coming up through today's ranks. Finally, I'm building this team based upon how basketball SHOULD be played, and not how it is officiated today.
PG - Jerry West - While most people would start with Magic here, I'm choosing to go with West, for one very simple reason. West is a much better shooter from distance than Johnson ever dreamed of being. With LeBron and James, I have all the penetration ability I could ever need, a "playmaker" isn't at the top of my needs list. But as we all saw in the 2012 NBA Finals, when you have guys who are great penetrators, the team itself is nearly unbeatable if you have guys around the perimeter who force defenses to stay honest. Jerry West fits this role, and was also a good assist man and was a multiple time All-Defensive team player as well.
SG - Michael Jordan - I could explain, but don't really think I need to.
SF - LeBron James - After watching what he could do in the 2012 playoffs, I think this pick is pretty easily explained. In addition to his fantastic offensive abilities, his ability to defend multiple positions and be a terrific rebounder allow for Larry Bird to slide into the PF role with no harm to team rebounding or even team defense.
PF - Larry Bird - In today's NBA, Bird could easily play the 4 spot (think Dirk Nowitzki). With Bird on the floor, the floor is opened up even more for Jordan and James to penetrate to the hole, and Bird's non-stop tenacity and desire for victory add certain intangibles to a team destined for greatness.
C - Wilt Chamberlain - This was definitely the most difficult position to choose. Russell and Jabbar were definitely hard to put down, but at the end of the day Chamberlain is still seen as the most dominant center to ever play the game. He has a sky high FG %, and he averaged 20+ rebounds a game for his career.
Bench:
PG - Magic Johnson - For obvious reasons
PG - Oscar Robertson - The Big "O", also known as the last guy to average a triple-double for an entire season, was a fantastic scorer, good defensive player, and was obviously a good rebounder. With Robertson on the team, we now have two guys who can play the PG or SG slots (Robertson and West), giving the team versatility in matchups.
SG - George Gervin - One of the trademarks of being a great bench player is the ability to come in and put points on the board in a hurry. This describes The Iceman. Averaging over 25 PPG during his career, and more importantly, doing it on over 50% FG, Gervin is a guy that can be inserted into the game when you need some scoring. His defense may not be as good as Kobe's, but Kobe has never been much of a team guy, I have Pippen for bench defense and Gervin has the much higher shooting percentage.
SF - Scottie Pippen - This was another REALLY tough decision, but I opted with Pippen over Elgin Baylor and Julius Erving. Pippen was a fantastic all around player, could score inside and outside, and was a lockdown defender who could guard multiple positions. Additionally, Pippen is comfortable not being the first option on the team, which is of benefit on a superstar loaded team like this one. And with LeBron and Bird in the starting lineup, this team now has three different guys who can fill the SF slot.
PF - Tim Duncan - Tim Duncan might very well be the greatest underrated player ever. He is a terrific defender, great rebounder, and a very efficient scorer. But most importantly, he's a team player, who can play either the PF or C positions.
PF - Karl Malone - A great scorer, a good rebounder and a man of exceptional physical athleticism, Malone adds toughness and athleticism to a bench that could use some. Throw in the fact he's the second leading scorer of all-time, and you have a great bench player.
C - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Another case of where no explanation is necessary.
To recap, on a 12 man roster, I have outside shooting, penetration, great passing, great defense and fantastic rebounding. Also, I have three different guys who can play the point, four guys who can play the 2 spot, three guys who can play SF, four who can play PF, and three who can play center. That's called versatility. Finally we have a roster which is assembled to be a team, who (hopefully) complement each other as well as can be expected and we still have most of the greatest players of all-time.
