Ok, this thread will be for a couple purposes.. here we can argue for our team before people submit their rankings over the next few days.
I will also post the final rankings here.

Remember, we are ranking 1-15, not including our own team, based on Prime and Longevity at this stage.

These rankings will be sitemailed to me by Saturday 8/27 at 11:59 pm EST. I will then tabulate the rankings totals and post the winner of the original premise of the mock draft.

These rankings will then be used to seed a single elimination - prime only - tournament.

Anyway, DO NOT POST rankings here. This thread at this point is here so that you can talk a bit about why we should like your squad and vote for it!

logain's team

picks: 1. Kobe, 2. Isiah, 3. Walton, 4. Hawkins, 5. Mutombo, 6. Artest, 7. Nance, 8. Sprewell

Killer instinct - I have 4 finals mvps on the squad here (Hawkins in the ABA). Kobe and Isiah are two of the all-time killers in the NBA. Artest, Mutombo and Sprewell have all shown their colors as great defenders in the playoffs.

Intimidation - I'm not sure how many of the guys in this league can be intimidated (well there are several actually.. hi Lebron) but I think I have a pretty intimidating group here. Beyond Kobe and Isiah I have 3 great shotblockers and Sprewell and Artest are intimidating with not only their defense but their crazyness. Who know's when one of them will choke you for fight you in the stands.

Defense - 6 of these guys made all-defensive teams, most of them multiple times. Mutombo is a 4x DPOY and Artest one of the few non-centers to win the award.  Walton and Mutombo are two of the best ever inside. Artest can guard about anyone on the floor. Kobe can shut guys down on the perimeter. Sprewell also. Isiah is super quick and  can stay with any pg here. Nance is a great shotblocker and multiple time all-defensive team member. Only Hawkins is not known for his defense.


Offense - This is team thats going to play well in half-court though Isiah, Kobe, Hawkins can all run the break and finish and will do so at every opportunity . But Kobe, Isiah can break down a defense in the half-court and open things up for the inside guys. Just about everyone besides Dikembe can knock down either a mid-range jumper or a 3. The pecking order on offense is 1. Kobe 2. Isiah 3. Hawkins/Walton when he's playing 4. Nance/Sprewell .. just shutup and play D - Artest/Mutombo

Versatility - My standard starting lineup is Isiah, Kobe, Hawkins, Walton, Mutombo with Nance taking most of Walton's minutes in his shorter seasons. Artest can come in at the 3 if I need a better defender there. Sprewell is going to play 1-2-3 on this squad brining tough D, steals and some 3s. Hawkins can slide to the 4 if theres a slower guy there that he can drive past.. or he can post up smaller 3s all day. If Walton is injured and mia Hawkins/Nance/Mutombo can carry the 4-5 spots with Artest/Sprewell getting the minutes at the 3.

Kobe Bryant - This guy can flat fill it up and play tough D when he wants too. I was surprised he dropped out of the top 10 overall and happy to pick him. I don't compare him to MJ as I feel he is more defendable than MJ and .. he has all those finals losses to go with his 5 wins. But, he's about as close as it gets. This guy can score 30 in his sleep and drop 50.. over 80 if called for. Explosive first -step, great finisher, one of the best mid-range jump shooters ever, solid post game. Love Kobe. He's the undeniable star of this team.

Connie Hawkins - This guy is a bit of a wild-card here and I'm not sure how people will evaluate him. He played 22k minutes in the ABA and NBA.. maybe 5 years of those could be considered near his peak though most of his peak was wasted outside the league. When he's playing he brings versatlity - can play 4-5 postions, can shoot midrange, can finish with  smooth dunks, wacky post moves with giant hands, solid passing.. one of the greatest talents to ever play.

Bill Walton - With Walton and Hawkins I have drafted two of the biggest "what-ifs" in NBA history. Walton played in his prime in the league.. and won an MVP and a title when he did. Plus he hung around in the league and won another title as an excellent 6th man. This is what I knew I was drafting in the 3rd round. A guy that is one of the best centers ever to play when he can play.. which is about half the time for over 10 years. Its not like he was only in the league for 1-2 years. His per 36 minutes were pretty consistent and pretty exceptional for his career. Over 10 years there are a few seasons Walton will start next to Mutumbo and a few years he will backup Nance/Mutombo with a little help from Hawkins sliding over to the 4.

Season	Age	Tm	Lg	G	MP	PER	TS%	eFG%	ORB%	DRB%	TRB%	AST%	STL%	BLK%	TOV%	USG%	ORtg	DRtg	OWS	DWS	WS	WS/48
1974-75	22	POR	NBA	35	1153	20.0	.553	.513	8.8	30.4	20.0	20.5	1.2	4.3				91	1.5	2.2	3.6	0.151
1975-76	23	POR	NBA	51	1687	19.5	.494	.471	8.2	32.4	20.6	19.7	1.3	2.5				92	0.7	3.1	3.8	0.109
1976-77	24	POR	NBA	65	2264	22.9	.563	.528	9.8	32.3	21.2	15.4	1.3	5.0				91	5.4	4.8	10.2	0.215
1977-78	25	POR	NBA	58	1929	24.8	.554	.522	6.5	34.2	20.7	22.8	1.4	4.1	17.2	24.5	105	89	3.6	4.8	8.4	0.209
1979-80	27	SDC	NBA	14	337	22.2	.525	.503	8.7	32.5	20.2	15.5	1.1	6.1	16.7	26.3	101	101	0.2	0.5	0.8	0.108
1982-83	30	SDC	NBA	33	1099	18.0	.540	.528	7.2	27.9	16.7	14.9	1.4	6.3	19.6	18.9	101	103	0.6	1.3	2.0	0.086
1983-84	31	SDC	NBA	55	1476	17.9	.570	.556	10.2	26.4	18.3	17.1	1.4	3.3	23.2	20.6	102	107	0.7	1.6	2.3	0.074
1984-85	32	LAC	NBA	67	1647	17.8	.558	.521	11.7	28.1	20.2	13.0	1.4	4.6	22.3	19.3	102	103	0.6	2.7	3.3	0.097
1985-86	33	BOS	NBA	80	1546	17.0	.606	.562	10.4	27.3	19.4	13.6	1.2	3.8	23.2	17.3	108	97	1.6	3.4	5.0	0.157
1986-87	34	BOS	NBA	10	112	5.6	.429	.385	12.1	18.5	15.6	9.7	0.4	5.0	31.5	18.1	79	104	-0.3	0.2	-0.1	-0.047
Career			NBA	468	13250	20.0	.551	.521	9.1	30.2	19.8	17.1	1.3	4.2	20.6	20.6	103	96	14.7	24.6	39.3	0.142

Season	Age	Tm	Lg	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
1974-75	22	POR	NBA	35		1153	5.5	10.8	.513				2.9	4.3	.686	2.9	10.9	13.8	5.2	0.9	2.9		3.6	14.0
1975-76	23	POR	NBA	51		1687	7.4	15.6	.471				2.8	4.9	.583	2.8	11.7	14.5	4.7	1.0	1.7		3.1	17.6
1976-77	24	POR	NBA	65		2264	7.8	14.8	.528				3.6	5.2	.697	3.4	11.5	14.9	3.9	1.0	3.4		2.8	19.2
1977-78	25	POR	NBA	58		1929	8.6	16.5	.522				3.3	4.6	.720	2.2	12.1	14.3	5.4	1.1	2.7	3.8	2.7	20.5
1979-80	27	SDC	NBA	14		337	8.7	17.2	.503	0.0	0.0		3.4	5.8	.593	3.0	10.5	13.5	3.6	0.9	4.1	4.0	4.0	20.7
1982-83	30	SDC	NBA	33	32	1099	6.6	12.4	.528	0.0	0.0		2.1	3.8	.556	2.5	8.1	10.6	3.9	1.1	3.9	3.4	3.7	15.2
1983-84	31	SDC	NBA	55	46	1476	7.0	12.6	.556	0.0	0.0	.000	2.2	3.8	.597	3.2	8.4	11.6	4.5	1.1	2.1	4.3	3.7	16.3
1984-85	32	LAC	NBA	67	37	1647	5.9	11.3	.521	0.0	0.0	.000	3.0	4.4	.680	3.7	9.4	13.1	3.4	1.1	3.1	3.8	4.0	14.8
1985-86	33	BOS	NBA	80	2	1546	5.4	9.6	.562	0.0	0.0		3.4	4.7	.713	3.2	9.5	12.7	3.8	0.9	2.5	3.5	4.9	14.1
1986-87	34	BOS	NBA	10	0	112	3.2	8.4	.385	0.0	0.0		2.6	4.8	.533	3.5	6.4	10.0	2.9	0.3	3.2	4.8	7.4	9.0
Career			NBA	468	117	13250	6.9	13.3	.521	0.0	0.0	.000	3.0	4.6	.660	3.0	10.4	13.4	4.3	1.0	2.8	3.8	3.5	16.9

Weakness: I don't have a pure 3 point shooter. I went for guys that could hit some 3s and play defense. Kobe is a pretty solid 3 point shooter and is taking most of the clutch 3's. Sprewell/Artest can also hit some 3s. If I got to draft 4 more guys I'd probably get a couple 3 point specialists for the bench but I'm happy enough. Latrell is 34% career, 37% peak, 1100 career 3s  - Kobe is 34% career, 38% peak, 1400 3s - Ron is 34.5% career, 40% peak, 905 3s career (Isiah chipped in 400 3s at 30% all with the deeper 3 point line for whatever thats worth)

xxevilivexx team

picks: 1. Stockton 2. McAdoo 3. Reggie 4. Mullin 5. Dumars 6. Sikma 7. Detlef 8. Nater

Playoff Prowess and Longevity
John Stockton  was a 10 time NBA All-Star who made the playoffs in all 19 years that he was in the league, aside from just that accomplishment he was a team player having remained on one team his whole career. With two NBA All-First team selections and also five NBA Defensive second team awards in his career, John was an easy selection. An Unselfish winner with the most career steal and assists, with proven playoff experience and set aside titles, because he has none, still worthy of a first round selection in an era with so many great Point Guards. Next there is Bob McAdoo, an NBA MVP whose early career was dominant, but hampered by injuries, sometimes the basis of a full career has to be over sighted and between the ages of 21-26 few players in the league were as dominant as Bob was.

*I'll update this after work*

just woundering are u going to do  this like a college poll were u see first place votes?

I will post full results.. everyone's votes. Along with combined totals.. and sure I can show which teams got first.. and what the hell.. last place votes!

haha ok

malone9975's team

Picks:  1.  Larry Bird  2. Kevin McHale  3. Chris Paul  4. Dave Cowens  5. Sidney Moncrief  6. Bernard King  7. Mitch Richmond  8. Arvydas Sabonis

Killer Instinct:  I have the Silent Assassin.  Not much more killer instinct in the history of the league than that of Larry Bird.  Chris Paul has already started showing his KI as well.

Intimidation Factor:  Bird was the best trash talker in the game, and got in many players heads.  Cowens could beat the crap out of most anyone.  McHale's armpit hair was scary and vicious.  After adding Sabonis I feel that the down low rotation is very, very strong and will make most teams think twice.

Offense:  Bird is one of the most deadly offensive players ever.  McHale had all of the moves in the post, and was almost unblockable.  CP3 can drive and create as well knock down the three.  Big Red is tough down low and will be a force in the paint and Sabonis will force big men to drift out of the post to guard him.  Sid could drive inside and finish on the break as well as the knock down 15-18 footers.  Bernard King could fill up the basket as well as almost anyone in history.  Richmond was a deadly three point shooter...Bird and CP3 are all above average passers.  Sid was a good passer as well Cowens for a big man and Sabonis is one of the best passing big men in history.

Defense:  I feel like this team has defense in spades.  Bird is a great team defender, and the other starters can stand up to the best players (except for Cowens, but this is mainly due to how high the upside is for centers...but he can play a very Laimbeer like game and knock guys on their butt that screw with him).  Sabonis was a great defender.

Versatility:  All of my guys can play multiple positions.  Bird is a SF/PF.  Cowens is a PF/C.  McHale is a PF/C.  CP3 is going to be used as a PG, but could play SG as well.  Sid can play PG/SG.  King can play SG/SF/PF.  Richmond is a SG purely. Sabonis is a C period.

Bird:  I took him second because I couldn't think of a single player that could theoretically play three to four positions, fill up all parts of a stat sheet, threaten players from anywhere on the court, had the will to win and the skill to do it, a force defensively, and could make his teammates better.  Michael Jordan was already taken.  I prefer Bird to Magic.

Bernard King:  I was amazed he was still on the board.  He was an electric scorer and a good rebounder.  King is superior to Nique.  Even an old broke down King could score 20+ per game.

Projected Minutes

PG Chris Paul-36 Moncrief-12
SG Moncrief-24 Richmond-24
SF Bird-36 King-12
PF McHale-36 Cowens-12
C  Cowens-28 Sabonis-20

Team: Lebron, Moses, DeBusschere, Pierce, David Thompson, Bob Lanier, Mookie Blaylock, Eddie Jones

I'm not sure what to say about this team.

I drafted for Longevity. Most of my guys had very long NBA careers. Lebron has only played 7 seasons but the guy pretty much never misses a game.. and plays a ton of minutes. Already at 25k minutes. My shortest minute guy is David Thompson at about 20k minutes. 

Starting 5:
Thompson, Pierce, Lebron, DeBusschere, Malone

or My big lineup 

Lebron, Pierce, DeBusschere, Malone, Lanier

or.. the pressing lineup

Blaylock, Jones, Pierce, Lebron, Malone

Loads of options to matchup here as Lebron can swing from PG, to SF, to PF. And everyone else has at least 2 positions besides Lanier and Blaylock. Lots of guys at 2-3.

Defense - As with other teams I drafted flexibility. DeBusschere was kind of like the Dennis Rodman defender of the 70s and is a key to this team. He can guard some 2s, 3s and 4s. Pierce is a very physical defender that I think has as good as shot as anyone of guarding MJ and Kobe, and I think he would really bother some of the thinner sg's like Pete or Gervin. Lebron is one of the best perimeter defenders ever and can handle guys too quick for Paul Pierce. Thompson is not here for defense though he is a good enough athlete he could hang with people. Blaylock and Jones can get lots of steals. Malone and Lanier bring some beef inside. Lanier especially is a strong paint presence. I don't have the greatest shotblocking though Lebron and Thompson can block shots in addition to whatever I get from my bigs.

Offensively - this team can run. I have very solid rebounding with guys like Malone, Debusschere, Lanier - Lebron and Pierce are great rebounders for their positions as well. Lebron and Thompson on the break is going to be electric. Pierce can trail and knock down 3s. In the half court Lebron is the primary creator though Pierce and Blaylock can chip in some. I have 3's from Pierce, Lebron, Blaylcok and Jones. Gonna feed Moses and Lanier down low enough to keep teams honest. Looking to get people in foul trouble with Lebron slashing and then let Pierce close you out with his excellent clutch play and ft shooting.

Overall, this team maybe lacks some interior shotblocking but has everything else. Lots of great defenders on the wings, some ball hawks, 3 solid playmakers, electric open court players, strong rebounding, strong interior presence, inside and outside scoring.. not sure what is missing here. It really comes down to Lebron playing up to this stats.. and letting Pierce close games.

favorite pick: Dave DeBusschere - 2 x champion, defensive backbone of those teams, 11 boards per game career average, 6x all-defensive first team, super physical player, one of the most feared guys in the league

Starters: 

Shaquille O’Neal, Shawn Kemp, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Dennis Johnson

Bench: 

Mel Daniels, Gerald Wallace, Mark Price

The story on offense:

This is a versatile team, capable of several different looks offensively.  This is clearly Shaq’s team, since very few players in the league (2 or 3?) stand a chance of standing up to him directly when he sets up in the low post.  I have three good to great playmakers in the starting lineup who will know how to feed the big guy.  Every member of the 8-man rotation is a skilled scorer, so defenses can’t afford to slack off anywhere. 

This squad will run as much as possible, with Shaq or Daniels throwing the outlet pass, DJ or Price pushing the pace, and Kemp and Drexler flying down to finish.  Alternatively, prime Shaq would often go coast to coast himself, able to control the ball and knowing no one wants to get in his way.

In the half court, Shaq is the closest thing to an unstoppable force the modern NBA has seen, and in his prime was very skilled at passing out of the double team to the shooter or the slasher.  If defenses start to collapse on Shaq too much in the half court, Price will see more playing time to help space the floor and give the bigs room to operate and Drexler room to drive.  Pippen learned to shoot the 3 also. 

Also, this bunch will get to the line a TON.  Shaq and Kemp won’t make a lot of their attempts, but they can get opposing bigs in foul trouble pretty fast.

The story on defense:

This should be one of the strongest defensive squads in the league.  Price is the worst of the bunch by a wide margin, and he was roughly mediocre.  Drexler was good, and all the rest are better than good.  Pippen is the great neutralizer, arguably the best and certainly the most versatile perimeter defender of all time.  He’ll be assigned to the opposing team’s best wing scorer or to the best of the difference-making point guards.  Johnson was the best perimeter defender of his era, and he and Pippen can afford to gamble a bit knowing that shotblockers are behind them.  This team will rack up a fair number of blocks and even more steals.  Shaq really can’t be pushed out of position in the paint, and he’s mobile and athletic enough to run and slide with guys much smaller than him. 

Overall:

Versatile offense, starting with Shaq as the first option and Drexler as the clear second but knowing that everyone can score.  The interior defenders are rugged, physical and athletic, and the perimeter defenders (except Price) are mobile and relentless and mostly long.  They would benefit from a little more long-distance shooting, but in general this should be one of the best two-way squads in the league. 

malone...about larry bird....

ive had the pleasure to be able to match many of his games on espn classic(i have my dvr set to record any nba classic game and celtics get a lot of love) and im more convinced then ever that he would have been absolutely dominant as a pick and roll player in todays game...he reminded me of dirk so much the way he just fires that pretty shot right in way more athletic dudes mugs...i know he would have been able to do the same thing off pick and rolls in todays game excpet his playmaking skills and savvy around the basket would allow him to do even more then dirk....the paul/bird pick and roll would be impossible to stop...tell me you would have them run this and i know youd definitely move up in my rankings

oh...and a force defensively?...think you might be stretching that one a bit...he looked like a great team defender(and thats what ive heard as well) but come on...hes not staying in front of any sf in this league

Mo Cheeks, Micheal Jordan, Kevin Durant, Dennis Rodman, Robert Parish

Jeff Hornacek, Robert Horry, Mark Eaton

- The GOAT
- Three starters are multi-time 1st Team All-Defense
- Rings. Lots of them. Playoff experience. Lots of it.

This team will not run; this team will let Jordan go to work; if Jordan gets doubled, Durant has the entire toolkit to score at will. Parish is the third option, a 9-time All Star with a career .537 shooting percentage. If you think our frontcourt defense is weak, note that Parish was a 7 footer with a career Def Rating of 102 and that we have a 7'4" two time Defensive Player of the year on the bench. Hornacek and Horry will provide spacing when they're on the floor, and of course Horry will win at least one clutch game for us. If Cheeks is being bullied somehow, we have Jordan defend that player. If necessary, we put a Jordan, Durant, Horry, Rodman, Eaton lineup out for size. I feel this team is one of the strongest defensive units.

I would say we're lacking some dynamic point guard play, I would love to have another dynamic ballhandler on the bench instead of Hornacek, given how well Durant can shoot from out there. But are you really going to argue against the GOAT and a very complimentary supporting cast?

Posted by dh555 on 8/23/2011 10:55:00 PM (view original):
malone...about larry bird....

ive had the pleasure to be able to match many of his games on espn classic(i have my dvr set to record any nba classic game and celtics get a lot of love) and im more convinced then ever that he would have been absolutely dominant as a pick and roll player in todays game...he reminded me of dirk so much the way he just fires that pretty shot right in way more athletic dudes mugs...i know he would have been able to do the same thing off pick and rolls in todays game excpet his playmaking skills and savvy around the basket would allow him to do even more then dirk....the paul/bird pick and roll would be impossible to stop...tell me you would have them run this and i know youd definitely move up in my rankings

oh...and a force defensively?...think you might be stretching that one a bit...he looked like a great team defender(and thats what ive heard as well) but come on...hes not staying in front of any sf in this league

Bird would work the pick and roll, but I think coming off of screens would be an even bigger part of his offense.  He was probably the best player at moving without the ball in the history of the league (with Reggie Miller being the possible exception).

As far a defense goes, Bird is not remembered for his speed, but he had tremendous quickness and a genius level basketball IQ.  Often he would allow someone to go around him so that it would lead that person directly into McHale or Parish.  Plus he was very solid as a help defender on double teams and switches.

PG Chauncey Billups     SG Vince Carter    SF Rick Barry       PF Tim Duncan     C  Dwight Howard   

Bench (Alvin Robertson, Tayshaun Prince, Horace Grant)

		GP	Min	Usage %	Pts	FG%	3pt%	3PM	3PA	eFG%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Oreb %	Dreb %	Ast%	Stl%	Blk%
02-03	Duncan	81	39.3	28.1	23.3	51.3	27.3	6	22	0.52%	450	634	71	9.5	25.4	13.5	0.8	4.4
05-06	C. Billups	81	36.1	23	18.5	41.8	43.3	184	425	0.51%	465	520	89.4	1.6	8.1	31.7	1.2	0.2
09-10	Howard	82	34.7	24	18.3	61.2	0	0	7	0.61%	483	816	59.2	11.6	29.3	6.7	1.2	4.7
73-74	Barry	80	36.5	28.2	26.2	45.6	35.3	85	241	0.48%	417	464	89.9	3.2	13.5	17.6	2.2	0.7
06-07	Carter	82	38.1	31.4	25.2	45.4	35.7	156	437	0.50%	462	576	80.2	4.2	13.7	17.4	1.2	0.6
85-86	Robertson	82	35.1	20.9	17	51.4	27.6	8	29	0.52%	260	327	79.5	7.2	12.2	17.1	4.2	0.7
91-92	H. Grant	81	35.3	15.5	14.2	57.8	0	0	2	0.58%	235	317	74.1	13.5	17.1	8.3	1.5	2.6
06-07	T. Prince	82	36.6	19.2	14.3	46	38.6	81	210	0.50%	172	224	76.8	5.4	10.9	10.3	0.8	1.2

Duncan is Duncan.  Top 2 PF's of all time, he's likely to put up 20/20 in the playoffs, plus a 13% passer.  Master defender and shot blocker.

Next to him?  A 60% shooter that takes 900+ free throws.  Howard is gonna be a force next to Timmy.  40% creb.    Of course the 3 time running (and soon to be 4, 5, 6..) defensive POTY.

Backing them up at SF is the perfectionist Rick Barry, whose offensive output is in the same league as MJ.  Yes, he could score like that.  17% assists?  Not too bad there either.  2.5% lifetime steal% and lifetime D rating of 99 (for what that's worth).   Tenacious player.

At SG is Vince-the best dunker of all time who can also drain 3's @ 38% rate.  Get's to the line a lot as well, doesn't turn it over.  17% assist.

Chauncey will hang out beyond the arc mostly, where he hit his 3's @ 43%. Great team defender, championship attitude.

Off the bench-
Alvin Robinson does it all and is the best pickpocket in NBA history.   Tayshaun will do his thing on defense while shooting a nice% with range.  Horace Grant will clean up the offensive glass and slow down some bigs as a 4 time all def team member.  Plus the 58% shooting, blocks and leadership.

This is a half court team that will be able to create a bunch of extra possessions.   With every starter at least a 13% passer except Howard, the ball movement will be terrific and it will be tough to cover the range that Barry and Chauncey bring while staying in front of Vince and making  sure he doesn't dump it off to the big finishers. 

C - Wilt Chamberlain (44)
PF - Dirk Nowitzki (38)
SF - Elgin Baylor (40)
SG - Sam Jones (28)
PG - Bob Cousy (36)

PG/SG - Manu Ginobili (32)
SG/SF - Bruce Bowen (8)
PF/C - Rasheed Wallace (14)



The Rings - I have a lot of rings between the guys...26 of them. Baylor is the only one without one and he may be the best ever that's never won.

Wilt - Should be focused and ready to be the most dominant player in the league. Wilt loves to chase stats so I'll bet him he can't win the rebounding, shot-blocking, and FG% titles and lead all big men in assists too. Good chance I'll be losing that bet. He's got plenty of guys to space the floor for him and plenty of guys to pass to out of the post. No pressure on him to close out games and plenty of veteran leadership to keep him in line.

Not too many guns - Baylor gave up a good chance at a title to retire early so he wouldn't take playing time from younger, better guys. That sound's like someone who wouldn't mind giving up some of his shots. Dirk has never had a problem letting Terry or Howard or even Van-Exel take over for a little while. He knows he's still getting the ball near the end and will love seeing some open shots for a change. Cousy shot a ton but that's because he was the best guard in the league and the pace. He was always a true point and would love setting up these great scorers, especially on the break. Wilt will be too busy trying to get assists to jack up too many shots. Manu has always been pretty unselfish and Jones played on an unselfish team his whole career.

Shooting - We have the whole court covered. Wilt is a paint monster. Dirk and Baylor can score down there and even Sheed can post up a bit if we needed it. Dirk, Manu, Jones, Bowen, and Wallace all shoot the 3...and pretty damn well too. Jones was known for his mid-range game. Dirk always kills it there too. Baylor can score a bunch from there as well.

Offense - We will try to run whenever we can with Cousy pushing it for some monster dunks by Baylor or a trailing 3 by Dirk. Wilt tearing down the court to finish a break with a thunderous slam will be a top play on sportscenter every time. The half-court offense will run through Cousy and Wilt. We can run a nasty Manu/Dirk pick and roll or just isolate any of the front court and let them go to work. No helping or we will find an open shooter from deep. Very spaced and very versatile.

Defense - Wilt is the anchor and should be all over the defensive glass. PF spot is weak on the boards but we rebound well at every other position. Bowen can be brought in if Baylor/Jones/Ginobili can't stop a wing from scoring. Almost all these guys played on great team defenses. It's very difficult to get my bigs in foul trouble. We can go big or small to match up any lineup.

Closing time - Dirk and Manu are two of the greatest coolers of all time. They can both hit big game winners and Jones also has a big shot reputation.

garyman's team:

PG - Magic Johnson (38)
SG - John Havlicek (42)
SF - Dominique Wilkins (36)
PF - Willis Reed (38)
C - Wes Unseld (38)

PG - Deron Williams (10)
SG/SF - Alex English (22)
C- Yao Ming (16)




Showtime - This team can really run the break. Magic is the maestro. Unseld was a master of the outlet pass. Magic/Hondo/Nique can all rebound all take off on the break themselves. Wilkins in Worthy's role is pretty scary. English will be filling it up.

Offensive Machine - Any player can go off at any time(besides Unseld). Magic will be deciding whos turn it is. Reed can draw big men away from the paint with his nice mid range jumper. Unseld will set bone crushing picks. Deron will keep it going when Magic needs a rest.

Yao - is 7'7....even Hakeem will have trouble blocking his shot(no you dont need to respond with the nate video...everyone gets blocked). He will be going against the backup centers too so I hope you have a good one.

Tougness - The Reed/Unseld combo may be a bit undersized but they are strong, hard workers who will battle to the death. Old school enforcers who won't make driving to the paint very fun.

Defense - Size at every position gives this team a big advantage on switching and helping in the paint. Magic won't be that big of a problem covering points because most of the league doesn't have small, quick point guards that always killed him. Hondo could even switch on to the PGs if needed.

Magic - The best PG in the league. Magic will do whatever it takes to make sure this team is a winner. The ultimate team player, he will get the best out of everyone.