Bill Simmons's All-Time team

[Gotterdammerung]

On twitter, he just posted his team, and I posted my response:


Bill Simmons ‏@BillSimmons
1992 MJ, 1986 Bird, 1985 Magic and 2013 LeBron... I don't even care who my center is, I'm beating any 5 guys you throw at me. (https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/633383496652746753)

Awet M ‏@thanatologist
@BillSimmons I'll give you 77 Walton and beat you with: 15 Curry 03 Bryant 14 Durant 03 Duncan and 64 Russell
(https://twitter.com/thanatologist/status/633410237672767488)3:49 PM - 17 Aug 2015


Discuss. Object. Refute. Complain. Troll. You pick. :oldlol:

[GIF REACTION]

Fail.

[Trollsmasher]

nice pic, f*g

edit: lol, he actually gave a reason for editing

[Marchesk]

He said:


1992 MJ, 1986 Bird, 1985 Magic and 2013 LeBron... I don't even care who my center is, I'm beating any 5 guys you throw at me.

And then right after that:


(I meant: give me 1962 Russell, 1977 Walton, 2000 Shaq, 1994 Hakeem, 1972 Kareem... any great center works if I have those other 4.)

No 67 Wilt. What a joker this guy is. He has serious hatred for Wilt, because he knows Wilt was better than Russell.

[outbreak]

Odd to leave out Wilt and include Russell. Only way I leave out either is if I am excluding their earlier era.

[Gotterdammerung]

No 67 Wilt. What a joker this guy is. He has serious hatred for Wilt, because he knows Wilt was better than Russell.
I would pick 67 Wilt if my other guys were incredible jump shooters with consistency and range, like Andrew Toney, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry... oh wait. :hammerhead:

[Marchesk]

There's simply no way any version of Russell was better than Wilt in 67.

24/24/7.8 assists on 68.3% for 68 wins and 5 game demolition of the Celtics. Simmons must have blocked that season out of his memory.

Arguably the greatest season of all time, but MJ would be in the conversation.

[Gotterdammerung]

There's simply no way any version of Russell was better than Wilt in 67.

24/24/7.8 assists on 68.3% for 68 wins and 5 game demolition of the Celtics. Simmons must have blocked that season out of his memory.

Arguably the greatest season of all time, but MJ would be in the conversation.
No doubt, but I was thinking of a team that would beat the BS team.

My team would be geared more towards the open space of the 21st century, whereas BS would be closer to the golden age of the 80s' style.

If Curry can stroke it from 30 feet, that pulls whoever his defender away from the others, freeing up Kobe and KD to run horns off picks. Russell and Duncan were excellent passers from the interior, feeding those two excellent scorers. Duncan could post up anyone, and would overpower LBJ in the post.

[PHILA]

1972 Kareem

This is not even one of KAJ's top 3 seasons.

71, 74, 76, 77 are clearly better IMO.

[Marchesk]

No doubt, but I was thinking of a team that would beat the BS team.

My team would be geared more towards the open space of the 21st century, whereas BS would be closer to the golden age of the 80s' style.

If Curry can stroke it from 30 feet, that pulls whoever his defender away from the others, freeing up Kobe and KD to run horns off picks. Russell and Duncan were excellent passers from the interior, feeding those two excellent scorers. Duncan could post up anyone, and would overpower LBJ in the post.

Got it. :cheers:

I do wonder about the 3pt and spacing advantage today. How would an great 80s team adjust to a team like this year's Warriors? They would be caught off guard at first by all the threes.

I was still in knee jerk reaction mode. You don't start listing off all-time great seasons by bigs starting with Russell, and conveniently skip over Wilt, unless you're a Boston homer.

[TheMarkMadsen]

no surprise here really

he's so openly bias I'm surprised he didn't pick ainge, DJ, Bird, McHale and Parrish

[TheMarkMadsen]

This is not even one of KAJ's top 3 seasons.

71, 74, 76, 77 are clearly better IMO.

the year he played all 82 games and missed the playoffs with sub .500 record..

[senelcoolidge]

Wait this guy is suppose to really know basketball and no Wilt. F*ck this guy. 1967 Wilt trumps his choices. You can pick any of Wilts 14 seasons and you are set. He would probably pick Kendrick Perkins over Wilt.

[Marchesk]

no surprise here really

he's so openly bias I'm surprised he didn't pick ainge, DJ, Bird, McHale and Parrish


Yeah, but why not replace Parish with Russell and DJ with Sam Jones?

[Showtime80']

Any of the 80's champions would clobber this year's Warriors and it really wouldn't be that close, either playing by REAL basketball rules like the ones they had back then or the soft video game style they have today!

You say teams from the 80's would be shocked at all the 3 pointers from the Warriors?!? Try the Warriors and ANY of the present top teams would cream their shorts facing squads with 5 to 6 all-star caliber players, all time inside play, great fast break attack, impeccable mid range game, solid physical defense, and yes folks, they could also shoot 3 pointers!!!

The gimmicky style the Warriors have works wonders in today's league were EVERYBODY plays the same and the inside game is all but extinct so it doesn't matter if they have a bad shooting night from 3 because more than likely the other team is gonna be launching three pointers at the other end as well to bail them out.

Would love to see them try that crap against well oiled machines like the 86 Celtics, 87 Lakers, 89 Pistons or 83 Sixers! Under ANY rules they're getting CRUSHED!

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Magic, LeBron and Bird all starting? Seems a little redundant tbh.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Yeah, but why not replace Parish with Russell and DJ with Sam Jones?

I just posted the 86 team lol I'm sure he would not only make those changes but also put PP as the 6th man

[AceManIII]

77 Walton over Wilt...:roll:

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Russell and Duncan were excellent passers from the interior, feeding those two excellent scorers. Duncan could post up anyone, and would overpower LBJ in the post.

:applause:

[PHILA]

the year he played all 82 games and missed the playoffs with sub .500 record..

KAJ himself said it was his best season in one of his books. As for missing the playoffs the Lakers had the 4th best record in the West, but the division format left them out while including the Bucks & Pistons (both were in the West back then) who had a even worse team records.

[TheMarkMadsen]

KAJ himself said it was his best season in one of his books. As for missing the playoffs the Lakers had the 4th best record in the West, but the division format left them out while including the Bucks & Pistons (both were in the West back then) who had a even worse team records.

he played the entire season and finished 40-42 with a future HOFer beside him, i didn't see the season but i can't comprehend how somebody can miss the playoffs, lose more games than they won and be deemed the most valuable player in the league for that season..

[Round Mound]

Any of the 80's champions would clobber this year's Warriors and it really wouldn't be that close, either playing by REAL basketball rules like the ones they had back then or the soft video game style they have today!

You say teams from the 80's would be shocked at all the 3 pointers from the Warriors?!? Try the Warriors and ANY of the present top teams would cream their shorts facing squads with 5 to 6 all-star caliber players, all time inside play, great fast break attack, impeccable mid range game, solid physical defense, and yes folks, they could also shoot 3 pointers!!!

The gimmicky style the Warriors have works wonders in today's league were EVERYBODY plays the same and the inside game is all but extinct so it doesn't matter if they have a bad shooting night from 3 because more than likely the other team is gonna be launching three pointers at the other end as well to bail them out.

Would love to see them try that crap against well oiled machines like the 86 Celtics, 87 Lakers, 89 Pistons or 83 Sixers! Under ANY rules they're getting CRUSHED!

:applause:

[Marchesk]

Any of the 80's champions would clobber this year's Warriors and it really wouldn't be that close, either playing by REAL basketball rules like the ones they had back then or the soft video game style they have today!

You say teams from the 80's would be shocked at all the 3 pointers from the Warriors?!? Try the Warriors and ANY of the present top teams would cream their shorts facing squads with 5 to 6 all-star caliber players, all time inside play, great fast break attack, impeccable mid range game, solid physical defense, and yes folks, they could also shoot 3 pointers!!!

The gimmicky style the Warriors have works wonders in today's league were EVERYBODY plays the same and the inside game is all but extinct so it doesn't matter if they have a bad shooting night from 3 because more than likely the other team is gonna be launching three pointers at the other end as well to bail them out.

Would love to see them try that crap against well oiled machines like the 86 Celtics, 87 Lakers, 89 Pistons or 83 Sixers! Under ANY rules they're getting CRUSHED!

Probably so. I was just wondering. Would you say the same for last year's Spurs or the 2012 Heat?

One thing is for sure. Moses Malone would have destroyed the Heat and Warriors inside. And that Celtics frontline. :facepalm

[bizil]

Since Bill is slightly picking out of position, (Bird and Bron historically are known as SF's), I'm going do the same for a team to counter his. By the way, this isn't my GOAT squad or peak value squad:

PG- Pippen
SG- Kobe
SF- Durant
PF- Duncan
C- Kareem

I would make Bill pay for going with Bron and Bird as the forwards. Neither one could stop Timmy on the block. I have a great pure shooter in Durant. And I have four great defenders in Pippen, Kobe, Duncan, and Kareem.

[Gotterdammerung]

Wait this guy is suppose to really know basketball and no Wilt. F*ck this guy. 1967 Wilt trumps his choices. You can pick any of Wilts 14 seasons and you are set. He would probably pick Kendrick Perkins over Wilt.
I have read his book, Book of Basketball, and no doubt entertaining, it is one of the worst books I've ever read on Wilt Chamberlain. And I have read almost all of them. Worse than even Charley Rosen's haterade in the Pivotal Season: How the 72 Lakers Changed the NBA.
(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233447.The_Pivotal_Season)
Simmons actually believes that Chamberlain was so stat-hungry that had turnovers been tabulated in the 60s, he would try and lead the league in that category. :facepalm

[KembaWalker]

:roll: :roll: :roll: at betas getting mad at HIS all-time team

nikkas taking it personal

[Gotterdammerung]

Probably so. I was just wondering. Would you say the same for last year's Spurs or the 2012 Heat?

I think it would depend on how either team adjust to the game, if the other team forces the pace to their liking.

If the Spurs play up tempo, playing into the hands of the 80s team (87 Lakers, 86 Celtics, 83 Sixers for instance), they might stay in the game due to their three point shooters. But the Miami Heat would struggle because they wouldn't be able to rebound consistently with the opposing teams' stronger frontcourts, and being unable to rebound, their fastbreak will be neutralized.


One thing is for sure. Moses Malone would have destroyed the Heat and Warriors inside. And that Celtics frontline. :facepalm
Moses on that 83 Sixers team was at the end of his prime, but he would've gotten Bogut into foul trouble, forcing the Warriors to send an inferior backup against him, compromising their offense over the long run.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Magic was better in 1987 though, and I'd say that MJ peak was in 1991.

Going by the best at each position I'd go with:

'87 Magic
'91 Jordan
'86 Bird
'03 Duncan
'00 Shaq (followed closely by '77 Kareem and '67 Wilt)

So, close to what Bill has there, and I'd be cool with Bird at PF and 2012 LeBron at SF.

Obviously, you can make different teams in order to better fit things and whatnot... But I think that that's the ultimate squad there, they'd beat anyone.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Hmm ...

13 LeBron
91 Jordan
06 Kobe
94 Pippen
94 Hakeem

[G-train]

who is this Bill Simmons

[Round Mound]

This one could challange any team ever: just by best post players per position:

PG: Magic
SG: MJ
SF: Barkley
CF: Hakeem
C: Wilt

[magnax1]

There's simply no way any version of Russell was better than Wilt in 67.

24/24/7.8 assists on 68.3% for 68 wins and 5 game demolition of the Celtics. Simmons must have blocked that season out of his memory.

Arguably the greatest season of all time, but MJ would be in the conversation.
This. If you're looking for a centerpiece to build the greatest team around ever, I'd have to go with 67 Wilt. Late 80s/early 90s Jordan is basically tied, but Wilt's versatility was insane. Best defender in the league, top 5 defender ever, one of the best scorers ever, one of the most efficient scorers ever, one of the best rebounders ever, probably the single best season in terms of passing for a center.

[Lebron23]

My All time Team

C: Shaquille O'Neal
F: Larry Bird
F: LeBron James
G: Dwyane Wade
G: Isiah Thomas

[Marchesk]

Simmons can have his 62 Russell and the following team would mash his:

PG 67 Wilt
SG 95 Hakeem
SF 94 Robinson
PF 76 Kareem
C 2000 Shaq

[AirFederer]

Simmons can have his 62 Russell and the following team would mash his:

PG 67 Wilt
SG 95 Hakeem
SF 94 Robinson
PF 76 Kareem
C 2000 Shaq

Why do you think no one plays 5 centers? :lol
Wilt at PG? Haven't heard it yet but guess it's coming; he was also the GOAT ballhandler

[KembaWalker]

Why do you think no one plays 5 centers? :lol
Wilt at PG? Haven't heard it yet but guess it's coming; he was also the GOAT ballhandler

How's Wilt playing point guard when he can't even look up and dribble? :roll:

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-07-2015/26GM3Z.gif

[Magic 32]

These dream teams using players 40-50 years apart is silly.

Anyway...my post MJ-era team.

15 Curry
08 Kobe
12 Lebron
03 Duncan
00 Shaq

[Lebron23]

How's Wilt playing point guard when he can't even look up and dribble? :roll:

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-07-2015/26GM3Z.gif


First time that I agree with your posts. Shaq and KG had better handles than Wilt.

[Rose'sACL]

Curry
Lebron
Bird
Duncan
Hakeem

No one is beating this team.

[Marchesk]

Why do you think no one plays 5 centers?

There's not even five good centers in the league right now, let alone on one team.

But if you did have five all-time great centers on your team, you're telling me you wouldn't play big ball?


Wilt at PG? Haven't heard it yet but guess it's coming; he was also the GOAT ballhandler

He was PG for the Globetrotters. Doesn't really matter. It's a non-traditional lineup, and things like positions are irrelevant. The bigs can just pass the ball up the court. They don't need to dribble.

The point was to counter what Simmons claimed, which is that it didn't matter who you threw at his chosen four (plus one great center). He didn't qualify that at all, so I'm throwing the five best centers he didn't pick, and waiting to see how Bird, Lebron, MJ and Magic are going to defend that, or consistently get off anything other than outside jumper, or you know, rebound.

Granted, spacing might be a little bit of an issue.

[KembaWalker]

There's not even five good centers in the league right now, let alone on one team.

But if you did have five all-time great centers on your team, you're telling me you wouldn't play big ball?



He was PG for the Globetrotters. Doesn't really matter. It's a non-traditional lineup, and things like positions are irrelevant. The bigs can just pass the ball up the court. They don't need to dribble.

The point was to counter what Simmons claimed, which is that it didn't matter who you threw at his chosen four (plus one great center). He didn't qualify that at all, so I'm throwing the five best centers he didn't pick, and waiting to see how Bird, Lebron, MJ and Magic are going to defend that, or consistently get off anything other than outside jumper, or you know, rebound.

I don't know how to tell you this bruh, so I'mma just come out and say it, I think you've gone crazy

[Marchesk]

I don't know how to tell you this bruh, so I'mma just come out and say it, I think you've gone crazy

I can't sleep anymore. But I did argue the opposite against Cavs and some old timers who set me straight on what all-time bigs would do to all-time perimeter players. There's been a thread or two in ISH before.

[KembaWalker]

I can't sleep anymore. But I did argue the opposite against Cavs and some old timers who set me straight on what all-time bigs would do to all-time perimeter players. There's been a thread or two in ISH before.

Personally I don't think a starting 5 of all time big's would would beat Simmons team, on paper perhaps but when it's all down on the court, the chemistry and egos wouldn't allow them to dominate as a team

I don't think Wilt would take too kindly towards say Shaq or Hakeem outperforming him

[VengefulAngel]

Magic, LeBron and Bird all starting? Seems a little redundant tbh.

Actually their skill sets would actually compliment each other pretty well.

[GimmeThat]

G:
G: Big O
F: Durant
F: Malone
C: Admiral

[VengefulAngel]

G:
G: Big O
F: Durant
F: Malone
C: Admiral

Lebron or Bird would destroy Durant on the other side of the ball.

[GimmeThat]

Lebron or Bird would destroy Durant on the other side of the ball.

which side of the ball?

Allen Iverson is overrated side of the ball?


Edit: Just imagine if someone who knew these core teams had to stick together for a while and turned Ron Artest into a designated PG against Magic Johnson