SWedd523
10-06-2008, 05:55 PM
This is something I was thinking about today as people always like to talk about how the game has changed and how players today would smash the players from before, so I decided to compile some teams. I took the players from the inception of the league up until 1988, those being the All Past team. Then I took the players that started their careers during the 88 season and after and made the All NBA team. (If drafted before 1988 but still didn't retire until 2000 or after, they are included in this team)
I tried to Keep in mind cohesiveness, not just putting all ball hogs on the same team as they wouldn't really get along together well. I tried not to pick just by name brand, but for the BEST 5 players from the eras.
If you have any thoughts, or substitutions--I'd love to hear them!
All Past:
PG: Magic Johnson (big, tough, amazing passer, perfect floor leader)
SG: Oscar Robertson (moved to SG since he's a combo, best all-round player ever)
SF: Larry Bird (clutch, money, team player that knows how to get it done)
PF: Kevin McHale (toughest choice, good guy, great teammate)
C: Bill Russell (best defensive Center of all time)
All NBA:
PG: John Stockton (most underrated PG ever, would be top 3 if he ever won a championship)
SG: Michael Jordan (arguably the best ever, great all-round)
SF: LeBron James (MJ junior, can play ball with anybody)
PF: Tim Duncan (team Player, great defender)
C: Hakeem Olajuwon (great Offensive and defensive, gets the job done)
Who Wins? All Past by 10.
Why? The past is built more around team play and tough defense. The Robertson/Jordan matchup will pretty much be a wash. Oscar and Bird will put up good offensive numbers, Russell will be a beast down low, McHale will do his job, and Magic is "magic". The Russell/Dream matchup would be fun to watch.
The All NBA team is mostly offense. MJ, LeBron, and Hakeem can all put up huge numbers. Stockton will run the offense like a champ (no pun) but would be outsized by Magic. LeBron would beat Bird, but be stifled by the team defense. Timmy will get his like he always does and have an advantage over McHale.
Past=better team, solid team defense, didn't think I'd have 3 Celtics:eek:
NBA=great on paper, all have the "will to win", didn't think Kobe wouldn't be here
I tried to Keep in mind cohesiveness, not just putting all ball hogs on the same team as they wouldn't really get along together well. I tried not to pick just by name brand, but for the BEST 5 players from the eras.
If you have any thoughts, or substitutions--I'd love to hear them!
All Past:
PG: Magic Johnson (big, tough, amazing passer, perfect floor leader)
SG: Oscar Robertson (moved to SG since he's a combo, best all-round player ever)
SF: Larry Bird (clutch, money, team player that knows how to get it done)
PF: Kevin McHale (toughest choice, good guy, great teammate)
C: Bill Russell (best defensive Center of all time)
All NBA:
PG: John Stockton (most underrated PG ever, would be top 3 if he ever won a championship)
SG: Michael Jordan (arguably the best ever, great all-round)
SF: LeBron James (MJ junior, can play ball with anybody)
PF: Tim Duncan (team Player, great defender)
C: Hakeem Olajuwon (great Offensive and defensive, gets the job done)
Who Wins? All Past by 10.
Why? The past is built more around team play and tough defense. The Robertson/Jordan matchup will pretty much be a wash. Oscar and Bird will put up good offensive numbers, Russell will be a beast down low, McHale will do his job, and Magic is "magic". The Russell/Dream matchup would be fun to watch.
The All NBA team is mostly offense. MJ, LeBron, and Hakeem can all put up huge numbers. Stockton will run the offense like a champ (no pun) but would be outsized by Magic. LeBron would beat Bird, but be stifled by the team defense. Timmy will get his like he always does and have an advantage over McHale.
Past=better team, solid team defense, didn't think I'd have 3 Celtics:eek:
NBA=great on paper, all have the "will to win", didn't think Kobe wouldn't be here