Your Favorite NBA Starting 5 of All Time

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

PG - Sir Sid
SG - Michael
SF - Bird
PF - Barkley
C - Hakeem "The Dream"

Not the greatest starting 5, but my favorites to watch.  Would love to watch these 5 play together in their prime.

Yours?

[hogbud]

PG - Curry
SG - Kobe
SF - Rick Barry
PF - Karl Malone
C - Kareem
*no D for sure

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

PG - Curry
SG - Kobe
SF - Rick Barry
PF - Karl Malone
C - Kareem
*no D for sure

Malone and Kobe - pretty good defenders.  But yeah, not much.

How about subs:

PG - Magic
SG - Dominique "The Human Highlight Reel"
SF - Dr. J
PF - Rodman
C - Moses Malone(undersized, but all-time leader in offensive rebounds)

[hogbud]

Hard to imagine Magic as a sub for any team...ha.
After a long layoff, ive enjoyed NBA last couple years. HDTV and erosion of college game is likely reason.

[TomasPistola]

PG - Thomas
SG - Jordan
SF - Lebron
PF - Duncan
C - Russell

In this instance, let's forget Jordan and Isiah Thomas hate each other. I like the mix of scoring and defense with this lineup.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Hard to imagine Magic as a sub for any team...ha.
After a long layoff, ive enjoyed NBA last couple years. HDTV and erosion of college game is likely reason.

I know, I just hated the Lakers back then.  No doubt about him being the best.

PG - Thomas
SG - Jordan
SF - Lebron
PF - Duncan
C - Russell

In this instance, let's forget Jordan and Isiah Thomas hate each other. I like the mix of scoring and defense with this lineup.

Isaiah was truly one of the best and is was a travesty he wasn't on the Olympic "Dream Team".  So fun to watch that Pistons team.

[hogbud]

Wasn't Pistons coach Chuck Daly head coach for dream team? Seems like Stockton was PG

[TomasPistola]

Wasn't Pistons coach Chuck Daly head coach for dream team? Seems like Stockton was PG

Yup. Daly was the coach. Jordan wouldn't play with Isiah and at that point in NBA history, Jordan was more important.

[TomasPistola]

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Team-Greatest-Conquered-Basketball/dp/0345520491

Really great read on the first Dream Team. Highly recommend it if you like sports books.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Yup. Daly was the coach. Jordan wouldn't play with Isiah and at that point in NBA history, Jordan was more important.

There's a funny story in a documentary(I think it was a 30 for 30) about how everyone else was stalked at those games, but Stockton walked around with his family and no one knew who he was.  He and Malone were a thing of beauty.

[Oliver]

Hard to imagine Magic as a sub for any team...ha.
After a long layoff, ive enjoyed NBA last couple years. HDTV and erosion of college game is likely reason.

I don't know how anybody couldn't have Magic in their starting lineup of all time.  Not only is he the greatest PG of all time hands down, he was voted MVP of the NBA of the Finals his rookie year when he was asked to play Center.

[TomasPistola]

There's a funny story in a documentary(I think it was a 30 for 30) about how everyone else was stalked at those games, but Stockton walked around with his family and no one knew who he was.  He and Malone were a thing of beauty.

That story is in the book I linked. McCallum was involved in the 30 for 30 story I believe.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

I don't know how anybody couldn't have Magic in their starting lineup of all time.  Not only is he the greatest PG of all time hands down, he was voted MVP of the NBA of the Finals his rookie year when he was asked to play Center.

I agree - I was just talking about your favorites to watch.  Sir Sid was a "homer" choice, no doubt.

That story is in the book I linked. McCallum was involved in the 30 for 30 story I believe.

OK cool - I'll check it out.  I remember Barkley also making fun of the food in Barcelona, and the small portions(which were probably Tapas).  He said something like, "it ain't no mama's fried chicken".

My favorite Barkley quotes I remember:

After Dr. J, Moses and Mo Cheeks retired and the 76ers were stinking it up:

Reporter:  "What are the plays you think you could be running(or something like that)?"
Barkley:  Plays?  Plays?  We ain't got no plays.  The only play we got is get me the ball somehow, some way.

Barkley(during a game, after a white ref called a foul on him that he felt someone else on the team committed - and was clearly heard on TV): "You know we don't ALL look alike".

Bird was also known for trash talking, but did it quietly so only the players could hear it.

[Dr. Starcs]

Don't know about my all time starting 5, but Tim Duncan would definitely be on it. Never flashy, great teammate, fundamentally sound.

Love the Dan Patrick story about Larry bird where the night before a game on the road, Larry was out at a bar. Some of the other teams cheerleaders spent the whole night buying him drinks and getting him wasted.

Larry went out the next night and hung 40+ on whoever it was they were playing and got the win. As Larry was leaving the court, went by the cheerleaders and in his French lick drawl told em "thanks for the beers." 

[hogbud]

Bird supposedly one of the all-time trash talkers in NBA

[HiggiePiggy]

John Stockton
Michael Jordan
Stephen Curry
Lebron James
Shaquille O'Neil

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Don't know about my all time starting 5, but Tim Duncan would definitely be on it. Never flashy, great teammate, fundamentally sound.

Love the Dan Patrick story about Larry bird where the night before a game on the road, Larry was out at a bar. Some of the other teams cheerleaders spent the whole night buying him drinks and getting him wasted.

Larry went out the next night and hung 40+ on whoever it was they were playing and got the win. As Larry was leaving the court, went by the cheerleaders and in his French lick drawl told em "thanks for the beers." 

I've heard(never saw it because they were probably meaningless games) that he occasionally would spot up right in front of the other teams bench, and shoot the 3 with his left hand and turn to them and say "left" as it swished right in.

[ErieHog]

I don't know how anybody couldn't have Magic in their starting lineup of all time.  Not only is he the greatest PG of all time hands down, he was voted MVP of the NBA of the Finals his rookie year when he was asked to play Center.

Because he couldn't shoot from beyond about 16 feet, and had problems with smaller guards.

Yes, he was a fantastic player.   Yes, the Lakers did great things to hide him.  Yes, the era he played in was also a huge boon--  but the truth is, on a historically level playing field, he is more like a 6'9 Ricky Rubio, than a truly elite all-around player.   He'd not be a star today, because the game is so very different.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

How about least favorite team - not the worst players, but the last players I would want on my team:

C - Manute Bol
C/PF - Shawn Bradley(the Preying Mantis, these 2 would be the opposite of Olajuwon and Sampson)
SF - Danny Ferry
SG - Latrell Spreewell
PG - God Shammgod

[razorbackfanatic]

PG Magic
SG MJ
SF Bird
PF Malone
C Wilt

[McKdaddy]

Magic
MJ
Bird
Duncan
Russell

[Inhogswetrust]

PG - Thomas
SG - Jordan
SF - Lebron
PF - Duncan
C - Russell

In this instance, let's forget Jordan and Isiah Thomas hate each other. I like the mix of scoring and defense with this lineup.

That's a damn good lineup. Not sure about Thomas though. Is gVe to have Magic and Bird in there somewhere though.

[1highhog]

Mine would be as follows:
Magic as PG.
Hakeem as Center.
MJ as SG.
Bird as SF.
Kevin McHale as PF.

Most people don't give McHale the credit he deserves, if not for injuries I think he was without doubt top 3 to ever play PF in the NBA.

[GoHogs1091]

Here is mine.

Point Guard   Oscar Robertson
Shooting Guard   George Gervin
Small Forward   Larry Bird
Power Forward   Karl Malone
Center   Hakeem Olajuwon

There is no way that starting 5 could be successfully defended from scoring.

[Torqued pork]

PG Magic
SG MJ
SF Bird
PF Malone
C Wilt

I don't see how anyone over 50 could not have Wilt Chamberlain at center.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

I don't see how anyone over 50 could not have Wilt Chamberlain at center.

Maybe because he's not their "favorite" Center.  He's not my favorite, but not because of my age.  I almost put Pistol Pete in mine.

[ErieHog]

I don't see how anyone over 50 could not have Wilt Chamberlain at center.

Short answer would be that they saw Russell play.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Short answer would be that they saw Russell play.

Ouch!  Once again, Erie with the dunk!

Except you didn't read the title of my thread, either.  Still a great play, though.

[yraciv]

PG - Stockton
SG - Michael
SF -  Lebron
PF - Duncan
C - Wilt

[Cure]

PG - Magic
SG - Jordan
SF - LeBron
PF - Duncan
C - Hakeem

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

PG - Stockton
SG - Michael
SF -  Lebron
PF - Duncan
C - Wilt

This is an honest question, for research purposes of my own old-arse only - and not meant to flame.
Lebron is obviously talented, one of the most overall, all-around talented players in the history of the game, with few if any weaknesses as a player.  However, why of all the NBA players in history, is he one of your top 3 favorite players(let's be honest, he could start at SG, SF or PF - and according to Eerie play PG better than Magic) of all time, that you would want to watch and have on your starting 5?

Chime in TommyPistola or InHogsWeT and anyone else who has him

[TomasPistola]

I wouldn't say he's a favorite of mine at all. But you can't overlook his size, strength, and height at the SF position gives him an advantage anywhere on the floor. He's not en elite defender, but good enough that Duncan or Russell (on my team) could clean up anything he left. He can post, drive, or hit the jumper. I can see Jordan posting on the block and dishing dunks to a slashing Lebron.

BTW, I'd be happy to put Kawhi Leonard on that team instead of Lebron. With Leonard on that team the opponent never scores.

[ErieHog]

It is a tough question.  Do I want to assemble the best team, or the team I'd most like to watch?

The best team:

PG- Gary Payton-  A defensive master, who won't be a usage nightmare on a team where people need the ball

SG- Michael Jordan-  Not really any arguments here.

SF- Bird -  tenacious rebounder,  and smart with the basketball.  Doesn't need to be ball dominant.

PF- Tim Duncan-  Efficient, durable leader who couldn't be singled.

C- Hakeem-   Frightening defender, and the man who is the source of the modern post game.

This team would give you everything you wanted offensively and defensively,  play unselfish basketball, and is built with powerful will.

Now, what would I enjoy more?

PG- John Stockton  - sneaky great.  We all know his passing, but dude was nails-tough as a defender, and had a great nasty streak missing from a lot of PGs.

SG- Jordan -  You always knew you might see the impossible happen when he was on the court.

SF-  LeBron-  A multifaceted superstar with off-the-charts ability. 

PF- Bill Russell-   A defensive master,  who altered games with unselfish play

C-  Kareem-  I detest Kareem as a player, but the man was a 15 year study in dominance.  Peak Kareem takes a back seat to no one.  Forgotten as a defender and smart passer, Kareem battled everyone from Willis Reed to  Hakeem,  covering 3 eras of the NBA game.

I'd love to watch those teams play each other.

[DeltaBoy]

Bird
Magic
Bill Russel
The Hawk
Isaiah Thomas 

[Inhogswetrust]

I don't know how anybody couldn't have Magic in their starting lineup of all time.  Not only is he the greatest PG of all time hands down, he was voted MVP of the NBA of the Finals his rookie year when he was asked to play Center.

How anyone could not have him OR Jordan is crazy.

[1highhog]

I don't see how anyone over 50 could not have Wilt Chamberlain at center.

I watched him play, I watched Hakeem play, although Wilt had more height and was a terrific scorer, Hakeem was my favorite Center I've ever seen play the game.  And probably the shortest as far as most people's top 5 centers.

[Hoot72]

When I read the thread title, I had an immediate answer -- Los Angeles Lakers with Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jim McMillan, and Wilt Chamberlain.  Obviously, I was thinking of the 5 that actually started together, but after reading some of the replies that was not the question.

[Inhogswetrust]

I watched him play, I watched Hakeem play, although Wilt had more height and was a terrific scorer, Hakeem was my favorite Center I've ever seen play the game.  And probably the shortest as far as most people's top 5 centers.

Wilt was definitely a prolific scorer. He was good in basketball also.