I just read the NBA.com GM poll where they picked these players as the best in their positions in the NBA today: PG - Jason Kidd SG - Kobe Bryant SF - Tracy McGrady PF - Tim Duncan C - Shaquille O'Neal First, I thought "Heck yeah, put that team up against any 5 people in the universe and the opponents would get smacked." But then, I thought "Well, what about the NBA's best 5 when the Rockets were winning their last championship?" So I came up with my own: PG - John Stockton (Shut up, I hate the Jazz too) SG - Michael Jordan SF - Glen Rice (This one was a toss up...Rice gets the go because of sentimentalism) PF - Charles Barkley (Sub Malone) C - Hakeem Olajuwon (Just as noncontroversial a choice as MJ) Head to head, this team would kill today's team. Just look... Stockton vs. Kidd Stockton Close, but Stockton was more viscious than Kidd is. Jordan vs. Bryant Jordan Don't ever put Kobe in the same sentence as Jordan...oops Rice vs. McGrady McGrady Is it me, or does it seem like there used to be a shortage of SF's compared to today's influx? Barkley vs. Duncan Barkley Another close one, with Chuck winning based on his personality's influence on a game. Olajuwon vs. O'Neal Olajuwon No explanation needed, just see the 1995 NBA finals. What do you think? In summation, I would say the 2 titles Houston won in that era have to have more significance than the 3 LA's won in this weakened talent pool. But I'm a homer. Any objectivity to offer me?
i dunno. o'neal was young and not at his prime and hakeem was playing some of his best ball ever. i love the dream, but i honestly think shaq in his prime is more unstoppable than dream in his prime.
I agree that Shaq is more dominant than Hakeem was, but Shaq in my eyes is only dominating because there are no more Olajuwons, Robinsons, Ewings and Mourrnings in the NBA. Could just be the homer in me again though.
As much as I hate to say it, I think that Shaq in his prime could overtake Olajuwon in his prime. And yes I'm as big a Rockets fan as they come but this is just my opinion.
Hmmm... thats a good point, I didn't think about that. I still think that Shaq could probably take Olajuwon but I'm not as sure now.
I think Dream and Shaq in their prime would be a toss up. The homer in me says Dream would torture Shaq. Oh well ... And I agree that Shaq is so dominant nowadays because of the absence of potent competition.
Hasn't Shaq destroyed the Mournings, Ewings, Robinsons, etc? I love Dream, but how would he stop Shaq if they don't call offensive fouls. Good big man usually beats good smaller man.
Dream and Shaq is a toss up. I'd pick Duncan over Barkley. Charles has more range, but Duncan is a lot bigger and more consistent. I just don't think Barkley can stop Duncan defensively.
Stockton vs. Kidd gotta go with Stockton just because he is a great shooter and Kidd is not. Kidd can pull down more boards though. MJ vs Kobe MJ is the greatest player of all-time. No contest. Rice vs McGrady We are just beginning to see what McGrady is capable of and he still gets the nod over Rice. Duncan vs. Barkley Close. But I'll give it to Barkley because of the ferocity and heart that he puts out on the court every night. Olajuwon vs. Shaq I'll go ahead and say push on this one. Just because Shaq's D doesn't come close to what Olajuwon used to bring.
Stockton- the best pg period. Magic included. MJ Scottie Pippen -- It pains me to have to say this, but there has never been a time when Glen Rice could even carry Scottie Pippen's jock strap. Karl Malone- the best pf period. (although duncan has caught him) And yes, he was better than CB. Hakeem -- the best center period. Against: PG - Jason Kidd SG - Kobe Bryant SF - Tracy McGrady PF - Tim Duncan C - Shaquille O'Neal Kidd vs. Stockton- stockton wins. MJ vs. Kobe- I'll take kobe. The guy is better than you all give him credit for, and MJ is not as great as everyone would have you believe. Pippen vs. McGrady- Pippen, but it is close. I like Pippen's defense here though. Karl Malone vs. Duncan- I'll take duncan, but it is very close. My hatred of the Jazz may have been a factor. Hakeem vs. Shaq- I'll take hakeem all day long. Sure, shaq can dominate anyone offensively, but dream could do the same. Ask yourself how would shaq stop dream before dismissing the matchup. Then ask yourself who has the BEST shot of slowing the other down. I think clearly hakeem has the edge in that regard. After all, he was one of, if not the best, defensive players of all time.
How about this team from the mid/early 80's? SF - Bird PF - McHale C - Malone or Jabbar SG - Gervin (really a SF for for arguement sake Im putting him here) PG - Magic
kbm, your pick on Kobe over Mike confuses me. But your list is decent. Here's mine. (2000's) PG - Steve Francis SG - Kobe Bryant SF - Tracy McGrady PF - Tim Duncan C - Shaquille O'Neal (1990's) PG - Payton (Mr. Mean!) SG - Jordan (The One and only) SF - Pippen (Sorry, but Pippen played better D than Rice and Hill during the 90's). PF - Barkley (Gotta love that intensity) C - Olajuwon (the Dream!) (1980's) PG - Johnson SG - Gervin SF - Bird PF - McHale C - Jabbar
Im actually double thinking my 80s team. I dont know if Sampson qualifies due to the longevity factor. But he definately had more all around skills than McHale and was more dominant when healthy. I still like Malone over Jabbar. Somebody has to do the dirty work on that team.
I don't think Stockton would take Kidd- Kidd would post him and is a lot quicker than John. I think Duncan would manhandle Barkley. Barkley is way too undersized to contain Duncan, plus Tim is more quick and has a variety of offensive moves. But that team from 8 years ago seems perfect: you have a pure point guard who delivers it to Jordan and Dream while Rice burys wide-open 3s and Barkley rebounds and draws fouls. Close call, but in a street game, I say this year's top 5 wins....whereas in an organized game, the team from 8 years ago wins.
I was going to put M. Malone and Juilus Erving on my 70's team. But I'm starting to forget some players names.... By the way, Gervin was a 6'9" shooting guard. You had it right the first time.
I hate to hijack the thread, but it must be said: Jordan was a p***y until the jordan rules got instituted. The bad boys proved that. Oh the horror of it all real shady.
Im glad I wasnt putting him out of position then. Oh man, 70s had alot of good players. 70s I would go with this. PG - Pete Maravich/Havlicek SG - Havlicek/Maravich SF - Rich Barry (out of position?) PF - Elvin Hayes C - Jabbar
What you say doesnt make sense. Jordan was no good until the Jordan Rules. If that is so, why where the Jordan Rules created? Never heard of rules for bad players.
From the statement you said above. You seem to think that this "Jordan thing" was a rumor or something. "...as everyone would have you believe..." Do you forget that some people on this board actually owned a TV in the 60/70's and have been watching basketball ever since? Yes, we saw Jordan with our own eyes. I lost count the number of times Jordan scored 50+ points with ease. Forget about 40+ point nights. Those were his "bad games." I don't need anyone to "have me believe" that Jordan was the best. It's not a rumor. Trust me.
