Kobe reveals his all-time starting five.

[maybeshewill13]

Magic, Jordan, Bird, Russell and Kareem is Kobe's all-time starting five. @ESPNLA710

Any arguments?

[miller-time]

Not really? I don't exactly know what the chemistry would be like though? It is pretty alpha.

[chains5000]

Any arguments?
Good choices

[maybeshewill13]

Can't really argue anything IMO. Pretty easy choices. As stated though, a lot of alpha males in that group.

[K Xerxes]

Only PF and C is really up for discussion, and I suppose the absence of Tim Duncan (and Sha) would raise a few eyebrows, but it seems like a reasonable all time 5.

Slightly surprised he didn't pick himself though.

[mrhoopfan]

Payton/Stockton
Kobe
Lebron
Duncan
Shaq

Would give those a guys a run for their money

[Crafty]

Probably most people all-time starting five

[Scholar]

Nice list.

[Rake2204]

Must be honest, I was kind of expecting:

Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9fsvuY1Dw1rz9xt8o1_500.gif

[miller-time]

Only PF and C is really up for discussion, and I suppose the absence of Tim Duncan (and Sha) would raise a few eyebrows, but it seems like a reasonable all time 5.

Yeah, I guess you could argue for a Stockton or Pippen type on there too. Not because they are better but they might work better in terms of dynamics. But then again maybe not. These guys are the best players ever lol.

[S13M]

Should be Duncan over Russell

[ThaRegul8r]

Not really? I don't exactly know what the chemistry would be like though? It is pretty alpha.

Most people never consider chemistry.

[Psileas]

Not really? I don't exactly know what the chemistry would be like though? It is pretty alpha.

True, but 3 of these 5 formed part of the Dream Team. It's not as if Bird's destroyed back prevented him from being mentally his usual self, although being healthy would boost his confidence.
BTW, I've always considered Russell at PF a cheat, who just enters to alleviate things in that the PF position is arguably the one with the weakest GOAT candidates (pretty much Duncan and that's all). He could probably play that position too and excel at it, but the guy was strictly a C.

[kshutts1]

Most people never consider chemistry.

This. When Karl Malone came out with a team that clearly took chemistry to mind, some people on this board killed him. Granted, he left off their God, best-at-everything-with-no-faults-Jordan, but still. I'm surprised that, on just the first page, at least 3 people mentioned "too many alphas".

I agree with them, as well as not enough shooting, but that's been my argument for all time teams all along.

[rule1223]

he should be the starting sg and shaq should be the starting center, but i guess hes paying respects to the oldies, so no problems i guess

[Johnny Jones]

This. When Karl Malone came out with a team that clearly took chemistry to mind, some people on this board killed him. Granted, he left off their God, best-at-everything-with-no-faults-Jordan, but still.


Um, Karl Malone's starting 5 is this:

Stockton
MJ
Pippen
LeBron James
Wilt Chamberlain


So I don't know where you got the idea that Malone left off MJ...

[K Xerxes]

Yeah, I guess you could argue for a Stockton or Pippen type on there too. Not because they are better but they might work better in terms of dynamics. But then again maybe not. These guys are the best players ever lol.

I agree, if I was to actually make the best team, it wouldn't be my all time starting five. I would have something like: Stockton-Jordan-Pippen-Hakeem-Kareem. You've got elite defense at every position, a dominant frontline with Hakeem who is mobile enough to guard quicker PFs even on the perimeter, and a true PG to orchestrate the offense.

To contrast that, my all-time starting five is: Magic-Jordan-Bird-Duncan-Kareem. But that's just putting who I think the best players are at every position.

[jzek]

Odd, should be:

Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe

[kshutts1]

Um, Karl Malone's starting 5 is this:

Stockton
MJ
Pippen
LeBron James
Wilt Chamberlain


So I don't know where you got the idea that Malone left off MJ...

:biggums:

His initial team had Kobe, yes? Granted, he later backpedaled and said that he had MJ on it... but I"m fairly sure his initial team had Kobe.

And regardless, point still stands (that Malone got killed for valuing chemistry), and with the above team, I prefer Kobe over Jordan for the shooting.

[Johnny Jones]

:biggums:

His initial team had Kobe, yes? Granted, he later backpedaled and said that he had MJ on it... but I"m fairly sure his initial team had Kobe.

And regardless, point still stands (that Malone got killed for valuing chemistry), and with the above team, I prefer Kobe over Jordan for the shooting.
His original team had Oscar Robinson. :facepalm

[MiseryCityTexas]

he should be the starting sg and shaq should be the starting center, but i guess hes paying respects to the oldies, so no problems i guess

Kareem was better than Shaq.

[ThaRegul8r]

His original team had Oscar Robinson. :facepalm

Robertson. :facepalm

[tontoz]

Good idea to have a defensive specialist like Russell in there since they have plenty of scoring. An argument can certainly be made for Duncan though.

[AintNoSunshine]

most boring selection as can be:sleeping

[Ass Dan]

Gawbe is GOAT at picking GOAT!

[-23-]

Russell's corpse is flipping over in his grave.

[Mass Debator]

Lebron, Mitch Richmond, Durant, Dirk, and Wilt

[jlip]

As has been stated, I think that Kobe was basically picking his best players at each position (placing Russell as a pf instead of a center), not focusing on chemistry.

Honestly, in terms of simple approaches to the game, I think the team could actually function well together though. I don't know about their personalities. With Russell and Magic, you have two players who could dominate from their positions while not being a threat to either scorer. With Kareem and MJ, scoring shouldn't be a problem in the half court. The passing would be phenomenal as you have arguably the best passing pg (Magic), sf (Bird), and c(Russell) playing. Bird could open the floor up with his outside shooting even though I think you do need another shooter. Interior defense and rebounding is taken care of with Russell. If you need MJ to cover the best perimeter player, you could always rely on Bird to pick up the scoring slack.

[AirFederer]

No place for Derek Fisher :confusedshrug:

[ripthekik]

I agree, he picked too much Alpha's, that might not work well for team chemistry. The best fix for that would probably to bring in Lebron to balance it out.

[lakerspng]

what you guys may not be taking into account though is that all 5 of those guys know how to play the game of basketball at their position better than anyone else in history. and they know how to play within a team. they'd function pretty damn well.

[FreezingTsmoove]

His original team had Oscar Robinson. :facepalm

whats so bad?

[CarpeDiemKid]

He was actually asked for the five greatest players in NBA history, and not a starting five. Either way I was actually surprised he didn't include himself. Makes me have quite a bit more respect for him. I used to be a huge Kobe hater but the longer he keeps playing at this level I can do nothing but marvel at the second best shooting guard in the history of the game.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/kobe-bryant-lists-his-nba-all-time-greats/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNba-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NBA+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

[FPJ]

His original team had Oscar Robinson. :facepalm

I think you mean Alvin Robertson, he shaped his game after him.

[sportjames23]

This. When Karl Malone came out with a team that clearly took chemistry to mind, some people on this board killed him. Granted, he left off their God, best-at-everything-with-no-faults-Jordan, but still. I'm surprised that, on just the first page, at least 3 people mentioned "too many alphas".

I agree with them, as well as not enough shooting, but that's been my argument for all time teams all along.


Malone was salty. And from this post, it seems you are too.

[dh144498]

Malone was salty. And from this post, it seems you are too.

:roll:

[dh144498]

I agree, he picked too much Alpha's, that might not work well for team chemistry. The best fix for that would probably to bring in Lebron to balance it out.

:lol
:applause:

[OldSkoolball#52]

Not really? I don't exactly know what the chemistry would be like though? It is pretty alpha.


You can be alpha and still pass the ball. Magic and Bird got in plenty of peoples faces, got heated with teammates, took over games... it never stopped them from being prolific passers.

When you want to win, you want to win. There's a difference between being alpha and being a ballhog.

[wakencdukest]

Not really? I don't exactly know what the chemistry would be like though? It is pretty alpha.



Magic brings instant chemistry. Just get in scoring position and wait for the perfect pass.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Russell is a better selection at PF. He's not big enough to be center in the modern era, in my opinion. That is a well built starting five. Where did Kobe give his all time starting five? Either way excellent choices, and probably my list as well. I'd bring Kobe in as my 6th man though.

:pimp:

[ThaRegul8r]

He was actually asked for the five greatest players in NBA history, and not a starting five.

It figures that people didn't get it right. If it actually isn't made up, often people say they said something they didn't actually say. Which is why the source is so important, that way it can be seen what was actually said, as opposed to what someone said they said.

[TrueRob]

Russell's corpse is flipping over in his grave.

When did Russell die? :wtf:

[Leftimage]

I'm kind of dissapointed he didn't sub one of the two centers for his former teammate, who is in the very least the 2nd best Lakers center of all time. But in terms of basketball history, I guess there isn't much to argue. Maybe he restricted himself to players whose careers didn't overlap much with his own.

[Inferno]

I agree, he picked too much Alpha's, that might not work well for team chemistry. The best fix for that would probably to bring in Lebron to balance it out.


:lol

[ThaRegul8r]

When did Russell die? :wtf:

He didn't.

[2013 Lakers]

Magic
Jordan
Bird
Kareem
Wilt

[sportjames23]

:biggums:

His initial team had Kobe, yes? Granted, he later backpedaled and said that he had MJ on it... but I"m fairly sure his initial team had Kobe.

And regardless, point still stands (that Malone got killed for valuing chemistry), and with the above team, I prefer Kobe over Jordan for the shooting.


You'se a fool then.

Kobe 46% career

MJ 50% career, 4 or 5 years 52-53% shooting.

[chosen_one6]

Kobe over Jordan for the shooting?

Somebody was born after '95.

[lakerspng]

I'm kind of dissapointed he didn't sub one of the two centers for his former teammate, who is in the very least the 2nd best Lakers center of all time. But in terms of basketball history, I guess there isn't much to argue. Maybe he restricted himself to players whose careers didn't overlap much with his own.

or he knows from personal experience how Shaq functions as a teammate with other top players. Kareem was the consummate pro his entire career and never had clashes with his teammates even if they were big spotlight guys like Magic. He did his best, excelled in every aspect of the game and dominated for a length of time few guys can even imagine. I would pick the Cap as well.

[-23-]

When did Russell die? :wtf:

Soon.

[buddha]

Can't really argue anything IMO. Pretty easy choices. As stated though, a lot of alpha males in that group.

The true alpha will assert his dominance and the others will defer. If you put two sociopaths together like Jordan and Kobe, well then you will have problems.

[MaxFly]

He was actually asked for the five greatest players in NBA history, and not a starting five. Either way I was actually surprised he didn't include himself. Makes me have quite a bit more respect for him. I used to be a huge Kobe hater but the longer he keeps playing at this level I can do nothing but marvel at the second best shooting guard in the history of the game.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/kobe-bryant-lists-his-nba-all-time-greats/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNba-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NBA+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Pretty interesting quote from the interview...

"You can make numbers do whatever it is that you want them to do... including making yourself sound like an idiot." - Kobe Bryant

I've seen great analysis with numbers over the years, but increasingly, I've seen exactly what Bryant has mentioned. Quite funny.

[MaxFly]

He was actually asked for the five greatest players in NBA history, and not a starting five. Either way I was actually surprised he didn't include himself. Makes me have quite a bit more respect for him. I used to be a huge Kobe hater but the longer he keeps playing at this level I can do nothing but marvel at the second best shooting guard in the history of the game.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/kobe-bryant-lists-his-nba-all-time-greats/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNba-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NBA+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

The actual questioner asked him to name his all time starting five. :confusedshrug: Starts at the 11 minute mark and they say "all time starting five" twice before Bryant answers.

[kshutts1]

Kobe over Jordan for the shooting?

Somebody was born after '95.

You're right, because % is all that counts.

Shaq is a better shooter than Jordan, then.

No, maybe I was posting something intelligent... Jordan is not much of a threat from 3. He's a career .327 shooter, with only 1800 attempts. Kobe is .336 with 4900 attempts. Not a huge percentage difference, but take into account the amount of shots.
When I said shooting, I meant 3p shooting. Need 3p shooting to space the floor to open it up for slashers and the inside game. MJ is a better overall player than Kobe but Kobe is a better 3p shooter.

[Fedor - Laker]

Lol @ Russell. Most overrated hall of famer in the history of all sports.

[DatAsh]

This. When Karl Malone came out with a team that clearly took chemistry to mind, some people on this board killed him. Granted, he left off their God, best-at-everything-with-no-faults-Jordan, but still. I'm surprised that, on just the first page, at least 3 people mentioned "too many alphas".

I agree with them, as well as not enough shooting, but that's been my argument for all time teams all along.

Malone's team had even worse chemistry if I remember correctly. Didn't he have Stockton, Pippen, and Lebron all on the same team?

[G-train]

Every NBA player is Alpha. Those 5 all displayed selfless traits throughout career, it would work.

[kshutts1]

Malone's team had even worse chemistry if I remember correctly. Didn't he have Stockton, Pippen, and Lebron all on the same team?

He did. He had three of the greatest "second fiddle" players of all time teamed up with the most dominant big man ever and one of the best wing players of all time.

Could the team be better? I sure think so. But the pieces fit quite well.

[DatAsh]

He did. He had three of the greatest "second fiddle" players of all time teamed up with the most dominant big man ever and one of the best wing players of all time.

Could the team be better? I sure think so. But the pieces fit quite well.

Pippen, Stockton, and Lebron are about the worst fit imaginable in a game with only one ball. Kobe's team has much better chemistry.

[kshutts1]

Pippen, Stockton, and Lebron are about the worst fit imaginable in a game with only one ball. Kobe's team has much better chemistry.

You assume that because all of them are used to dribbling the ball, that they couldn't do without? Lebron is one of the least selfish superstars of all time (Bird and Magic are also up there). Pippen played with Jordan and sacrificed so, so many personal numbers and accolades to do so successfully. Stockton you may have a point.. but his sharpshooting combined with steals are too hard to pass up.

And getting back to Pip and Lebron... imagine if those two focused on just D and complimentary play? Wow.

[TheBigVeto]

Must be honest, I was kind of expecting:

Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe
Kobe



This.

Dude must be high or trippin when he named these 5.

[G-train]

Kobe over Jordan for the shooting?

Somebody was born after '95.

Kobe is a better long distance shooter than Jordan, and pretty comparable from mid-range. Kobe is also better at making difficult jump shots.

[jstern]

Kobe is a better long distance shooter than Jordan, and pretty comparable from mid-range. Kobe is also better at making difficult jump shots.
Now name everything Jordan is better at. (Which includes the midrange)

[DatAsh]

You assume that because all of them are used to dribbling the ball, that they couldn't do without?


I assume nothing. Lebron isn't a very good off ball player, that's quite obvious. You'd be hard pressed to find a worse superstar duo than Lebron and Pippen on the offensive end. Lebron's inability to play off the ball would turn Pippen into an average spot up shooter on offense. You wouldn't get the dynamic duo you got with Jordan and Pippen.


Lebron is one of the least selfish superstars of all time (Bird and Magic are also up there).

I agree, but it's style and ability that's holding him back in this scenario, not desire.


Pippen played with Jordan and sacrificed so, so many personal numbers and accolades to do so successfully.

You may be right, but we'll never know. Pippen was a great player and would have been great in any situation.


Stockton you may have a point.. but his sharpshooting combined with steals are too hard to pass up.

Why not just go for a brilliant spot up shooter though? If you're trying to build around Lebron, star point guards and star point forwards are about the worst picks you can make.


And getting back to Pip and Lebron... imagine if those two focused on just D and complimentary play? Wow.

I don't need to imagine, as I've already seen a better version of that in Pippen/Jordan. Not only was Jordan a better defender than Lebron, but he allowed Pippen to control the ball on offense and was thus a much better fit on that end as well.

[G-train]

Now name everything Jordan is better at. (Which includes the midrange)

Not my problem.

[Round Mound]

Wilt > Any Center Ever
Prime Barkley > Duncan

End Thread.