Top 10 players all-time you'd take to start a franchise in today's league?

[fpliii]

In order, please.

Notes:

1) Goal is to win as much as possible with said guy as your franchise player.
2) Assume you will be able to surround the player with an average championship-caliber supporting cast (i.e. a squad that will be ~.500 without the franchise player).
3) Again, this is in today's league (today's rules, competition, trends, etc.).
4) Assume all players will stay with your franchise for the entirety of their careers.
5) Assume all players will take an equal salary (max contract).
6) Health/injury/longevity issues will still be a concern, unless modern medicine/knowledge have eliminated those specific issues.

[Akrazotile]

1. Lebron
2. MJ
3. Shaq
4. Kareem
5. Duncan
6. Magic
7. Bird
8. Hakeem
9. Wilt
10. Pau

[RoundMoundOfReb]

1. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Michael Jordan
3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
4. Hakeem Olajuwon
5. LeBron James
6. Larry Bird
7. Tim Duncan
8. Magic Johnson
9. TBD
10. TBD

[KobesFinger]

Shaq/Wilt/Duncan/Hakeem/Kareem

Reasoning: All big men who could score, rebound, pass and defend (or clog the paint in Shaq's case) at an elite level. All could be reliee upon in the PO (except Wilt but give him an equal team to 60s Boston and it doesnt matter)

Bird/LeBron//Garnett

Reasoning: comfortable at both forward spots (and C for Garnett) who pass and spread the floor at an elite level. James and Garnetr are also elite defenders, while Bird and Garnett are elite rebounders

Magic

Reasoning: Could play 1-4 in his day and maybe the 5 today with his quickness and passing. Scores efficiently, elite playmaker and rebounds very well

Jordan/Durant/Kobe

Reasoning: elite scorers who are also at worst above average playmakers, decent rebounders and good shooters (elite in Durant's case). All three can play the 2 and the 3, Kobe and Jordan can also play some point and Durant can play some smallball PF. They range from good (Durant) to elite (Jordan) defenders.

I know I have 12. I left Russell off because while he was an amazing defender, the fact he cant score makes him Noah on steroids

[wally_world]

1) MJ - GOAT gonna GOAT

2) Russell - Unparalleled leadership, will to win and basketball IQ





GAP





3-7) Shaq/Wilt/Kareem/Hakeem/LeBron - Simply too much talent to pass on

8) Bird - Had to take into account his longevity

9-11) Duncan/KG/Dirk - Toss up


Left Kobe out because he might be a difficult teammate. Dont think Magic would thrive as much in today's game.

[hateraid]

The easiest to build around is a prime Shaq. To top the list I'd go with bigs first

1- Shaq
2- Wilt
3- KAJ
4- Moses (Shaq and Wilt with a free throw)
5- Magic (Winner on every level)
6- Jordan (Volume scorer)
7- Lebron (NBA track record is impressive, probably more versatile than Magic)
8- Hakeem
9- Russell
10- Duncan

[magic chiongson]

1) MJ - GOAT gonna GOAT

2) Russell - Unparalleled leadership, will to win and basketball IQ





GAP





3-7) Shaq/Wilt/Kareem/Hakeem/LeBron - Simply too much talent to pass on

8) Bird - Had to take into account his longevity

9-11) Duncan/KG/Dirk - Toss up


Left Kobe out because he might be a difficult teammate. Dont think Magic would thrive as much in today's game.

russell goatbrook :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[kennethgriffin]

In order, please.

Notes:

1) Goal is to win as much as possible with said guy as your franchise player.
2) Assume you will be able to surround the player with an average championship-caliber supporting cast (i.e. a squad that will be ~.500 without the franchise player).
3) Again, this is in today's league (today's rules, competition, trends, etc.).
4) Assume all players will stay with your franchise for the entirety of their careers.
5) Assume all players will take an equal salary (max contract).
6) Health/injury/longevity issues will still be a concern, unless modern medicine/knowledge have eliminated those specific issues.


anyone putting lebron above kobe in this thread deserves to be banned




if this is one of the stipulations then you gotta go with guys like

- kobe
- hakeem

[WillC]

The majority of my top 10 would be compriased of centers, given the criteria/scenario:

01 - Shaquille O'Neal
02 - Michael Jordan
03 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
04 - Larry Bird
05 - Wilt Chamberlain
06 - Hakeem Olajuwon
07 - Magic Johnson
08 - Tim Duncan
09 - LeBron James
10 - David Robinson or Kevin Garnett

[Nash]

Shaq
Jordan
Kareem
Lebron
Bird
Magic
Duncan
Hakeem

[swagga]

In order, please.

Notes:

1) Goal is to win as much as possible with said guy as your franchise player.
2) Assume you will be able to surround the player with an average championship-caliber supporting cast (i.e. a squad that will be ~.500 without the franchise player).
3) Again, this is in today's league (today's rules, competition, trends, etc.).
4) Assume all players will stay with your franchise for the entirety of their careers.
5) Assume all players will take an equal salary (max contract).
6) Health/injury/longevity issues will still be a concern, unless modern medicine/knowledge have eliminated those specific issues.

Magic.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Regarding this:



2) Assume you will be able to surround the player with an average championship-caliber supporting cast (i.e. a squad that will be ~.500 without the franchise player).


I would take LeBron over Bird on a team like this but I would take Bird over LeBron on a stacked team.

[rmt]

1-4 KAJ, Wilt, Duncan, Hakeem
5 MJ
6 Shaq
7 Russell
8 Bird
9 Magic
10 Lebron