5 of any 1997 top 50 player - their LAST season, round out with D-Leaguers:

[CavaliersFTW]

Can you start a franchise with 5 basically old and past-prime versions of NBA legends and win an NBA title with D-Leaguers rounding out the roster?

5 from the pool of 50 greatests, but the stipulation is it has to be their last season. So your options look like 1978 John Havlicek. 2002 Michael Jordan. 1973 Wilt Chamberlain. etc so the objective for building becomes not just talent, but how much gas you think is left in their tank.

If you don't think you can do it in 5, add a 6th man from the list:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Nate Archibald
Paul Arizin
Charles Barkley
Rick Barry
Elgin Baylor
Dave Bing
Larry Bird
Wilt Chamberlain
Bob Cousy
Dave Cowens
Billy Cunningham
Dave DeBusschere
Clyde Drexler
Julius Erving
Patrick Ewing
Walt Frazier
George Gervin
Hal Greer
John Havlicek
Elvin Hayes
Magic Johnson
Sam Jones
Michael Jordan
Jerry Lucas
Karl Malone
Moses Malone
Pete Maravich
Kevin McHale
George Mikan
Earl Monroe
Hakeem Olajuwon
Shaquille O'Neal
Robert Parish
Bob Pettit
Scottie Pippen
Willis Reed
Oscar Robertson
David Robinson
Bill Russell
Dolph Schayes
Bill Sharman
John Stockton
Isiah Thomas
Nate Thurmond
Wes Unseld
Bill Walton
Jerry West
Lenny Wilkens
James Worthy

They'll be going up against all the teams this next NBA season.

[UK2K]

I don't see Malone on your list, but I bet he could still bang.

Probably Rodman too.

[CavaliersFTW]

I don't see Malone on your list, but I bet he could still bang.

Probably Rodman too.
1997 50 greatest's only... Malone is on the list, both of them (Karl and Moses)

Rodman is not.

[ClipperRevival]

No chance. This is a young man's game, especially the NBA with its off the charts athleticism. Legends retire for a reason: they can no longer compete at a high level or can't play at all. The game becomes too fast and too explosive for them at a certain point and their old legs simply can't keep up.

[CavaliersFTW]

No chance. This is a young man's game, especially the NBA with its off the charts athleticism. Legends retire for a reason: they can no longer compete at a high level or can't play at all. The game becomes too fast and too explosive for them at a certain point and their old legs simply can't keep up.
Many of the people on that list could, and did keep up, and then some, their final season. Wilt and Russell their final seasons were still in MVP races.

36 y/o Wilt Chamberlain - was still finishing high in MVP voting/setting records
34 y/o Bill Russell - was still finishing high in MVP voting
35 y/o Rick Barry - claims had plenty left in the tank
39 y/o Michael Jordan - could still play effective minutes as a 2 or 3
35 y/o Jerry West - claims had plenty left in the tank

6th
32 y/o Pete Maravich - also appears to have had plenty left in the tank

I think a roster like that could do some damage, the interior defense would be insane, and the perimeter guys were still capable scorers and MJ and West were still solid backcourt defensive players even in their last years.

The collective IQ on the team would be off the charts. The only question would be could they gel in one season, and could they stay healthy. And is there enough talent to make up for the D-Leaguers they'll be forced to play with for stretches of games.

[ClipperRevival]

Many of the people on that list could, and did keep up, and then some, their final season. Wilt and Russell their final seasons were still in MVP races.

36 y/o Wilt Chamberlain - was still finishing high in MVP voting/setting records
34 y/o Bill Russell - was still finishing high in MVP voting
35 y/o Rick Barry - claims had plenty left in the tank
39 y/o Michael Jordan - could still play effective minutes as a 2 or 3
35 y/o Jerry West - claims had plenty left in the tank

6th
32 y/o Pete Maravich - also appears to have had plenty left in the tank

I think a roster like that could do some damage, the interior defense would be insane, and the perimeter guys were still capable scorers and MJ and West were still solid backcourt defensive players even in their last years.

The collective IQ on the team would be off the charts. The only question would be could they gel in one season, and could they stay healthy. And is there enough talent to make up for the D-Leaguers they'll be forced to play with for stretches of games.

It's still a young man's game. The NBA is just too athletic and the pace too much for a team full to mid to late 30 year olds to win it all, even if it's all time greats. The endurance and stamina required to play for 82 games and 4 more playoff rounds is too much for them. But who knows, it's just a hypothetical scenario.

[LAZERUSS]

It's still a young man's game. The NBA is just too athletic and the pace too much for a team full to mid to late 30 year olds to win it all, even if it's all time greats. The endurance and stamina required to play for 82 games and 4 more playoff rounds is too much for them. But who knows, it's just a hypothetical scenario.

Chamberlain played 43.2 mpg in his last season, and led the NBA in rpg, shot an all-time record from the field, came in 4th in the MVP voting, and was voted first-team all-defense.

Then, in his 17 post-season games, he averaged 47.2 mpg, grabbed 22.5 rpg, and led his team to the Finals. In his very last game he scored 23 points, and pulled down 21 rebounds.

He had LEGITIMATE offers in his 40's, and even at age 50.

[FKAri]

Would get destroyed in the regular season. But they can probably squeeze out a solid playoff run before breaking down.

[ClipperRevival]

Chamberlain played 43.2 mpg in his last season, and led the NBA in rpg, shot an all-time record from the field, came in 4th in the MVP voting, and was voted first-team all-defense.

Then, in his 17 post-season games, he averaged 47.2 mpg, grabbed 22.5 rpg, and led his team to the Finals. In his very last game he scored 23 points, and pulled down 21 rebounds.

He had LEGITIMATE offers in his 40's, and even at age 50.

Impressive. I guess he would be the best player of the group followed by 39 year old MJ.

[LAZERUSS]

Impressive. I guess he would be the best player of the group followed by 39 year old MJ.

Not sure how far he would take a group of D-Leaguers, though.

Although he carried similar rosters in the first half of his career. His '63 and '64 rosters were just awful.

[tsforthrees]

I'd pair Chamberlain and Russell in the front court and run a slow down, Memphis style offense. Add in Larry Bird as basically a 3 point specialist to spread the floor. Bring John Stockton and David Robinson off the bench to give some stability to some of the young guys running with the second unit.

C-Chamberlain/Sim Bhullar
PF-Russell/David Robinson
SF-Bird/Thanasis Antekoumpo
SG-Seth Curry/Glen Rice Jr.
PG-Russ Smith/John Stockton

Strikes me as a 4/5 seed given that Chamberlain and Russell could still bring it in their twilight years and I like Bird as a Dirk type threat on the outside. The guards obviously worry me but Smith can take some pressure off the shooters with his speed. With Curry, Rice and Bird you've got guys who can spread the floor as well.

[Thorn]

Too bad Magic didn't stay retired after 1991 or he'd be a lock in this kind of list.

Anyway:

Wilt
Pettit or Karl Malone
Havlicek
Jordan
Stockton


Pettit had 23/12 on 35 mins a game, only 32 when he retired. Wilt's final season: 13/19 on 43 mins/game. Stockton played all 82 games in his last season albeit with only 28 mins a game. Havlicek played all 82 as well at 34 mins a game with 16/4/4.

..

This team would have to rely a lot on Wilt altering shots in the paint and rebounding. You might also have to stagger this lineup so that one of Stockton and Jordan are on the court at all times since Stock didn't play more than 31 minutes in his final 6 seasons. This team has to be the slowest in the league also. Their half court offense might have some trouble since there's not much spacing apart from Stock, though. Lots of mid-range jumpers from Malone, Jordan and Hondo. Absolutely must avoid teams like GS, OKC and possible HOU as well.

All they need to do is sneak into the playoffs and their experience might take them to the CF, though. What they need in D-leaguers are hustle guys for offensive boards, quick guys to keep up with PGs and 3 point shooters.