Build A Team That Could Beat This Starting 5

[Soundwave]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

[SOD 21]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

C - Hakeem
PF - Garnett
SF - KD
SG - Pippen
PG - Magic

[stalkerforlife]

Jason Williams
Bradley Beal
Mike Miller
David Lee
Udonis Haslem

[DaOldLion]

Kareem
Hakeem
Bird
West
Iggy

[Bless Mathews]

C - Hakeem
PF - Garnett
SF - KD
SG - Pippen
PG - Magic

Word.

Only team that would come close.

[MellowYellow]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

That team would have HORRENDOUS spacing,

Would go

C- Russell
PF- Bird
SF- Melo
SG- Pippen
PG- Magic

and rek that squad.

[SouBeachTalents]

That team would have HORRENDOUS spacing,

Would go

C- Russell
PF- Bird
SF- Melo
SG- Pippen
PG- Magic

and rek that squad.

:roll:

[ZMonkey11]

Curious why you put Kobe at SF.

I'd probably put the more athletic similar player at SF. That would be MJ.

And looking at that roster, you know you are putting the least athletic player on Kobe.

[eeeeeebro]

curry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8pPYHdSn4E
ray allen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-L0NQbVUxw
dirk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zPf8Hjm8Bs
kareem abdul-jabbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0OKClJLUWo
david robinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XivZd3mRVw

[Rocketswin2013]

'15 Curry
'07 Wade
'13 LeBron
'15 Davis
'04 Duncan

Offensive ceiling is nonexistent and the defense is great.

[Soundwave]

'15 Curry
'07 Wade
'13 LeBron
'15 Davis
'04 Duncan

Offensive ceiling is nonexistent and the defense is great.

Should've clarified, you can't use any of the players that are on the other team, so no LeBron or Duncan.

[Soundwave]

Curious why you put Kobe at SF.

I'd probably put the more athletic similar player at SF. That would be MJ.

And looking at that roster, you know you are putting the least athletic player on Kobe.

I guess you could swap them around, it doesn't really matter much.

[eeeeeebro]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XivZd3mRVw

robinson vs shaq

[Soundwave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XivZd3mRVw

robinson vs shaq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztvmf228wvQ

[Fallen Angel]

Gary Payton
Dwyane Wade
Larry Bird
Hakeem Olajuwon
Wilt Chamberlain

[dhsilv]

Too lazy to think about this, but I'd spread the floor and go with speed. Forcing shaq and duncan to guard 3 point shooters.

Something like Curry, Chris Paul, a 3 to be named later, Dirk, and a center to be named later who can shoot.

The goal being to win 160-150 through better shooters.

[bobopenguin]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten?

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

i would replace wade with Harden.

Harden can get shaq into foul trouble in first 2min.

[sd3035]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten?

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

Can some of the players be repeated? If so, just replace Lebald with nearly anyone and they become better

[Soundwave]

Can some of the players be repeated? If so, just replace Lebald with nearly anyone and they become better

No you can't repeat players.

[sd3035]

No you can't repeat players.

OK

Russell

Malone

Durant

Kawhi

Magic

Although Bill might get bodied badly by Shaq, might change that to Hakeem since he schooled him

[kennethgriffin]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten?
.



C - Kareem ( guards duncan ... caps too long and dominant on D )
PF - Rodman ( guards shaq ... worm dominated prime snaq routinely )
SF - Pippen ( guards jordan ... did a great job in their exibitions )
SG - Iguodola ( guards Lebron... shut down to 27% outside/35% OA)
PG - Magic ( guards kobe.. gives up points. gets them back via assists )



this team has a chance ...

[dhsilv]

C - Kareem ( guards duncan ... caps too long and dominant on D )
PF - Rodman ( guards shaq ... worm dominated prime snaq routinely )
SF - Pippen ( guards jordan ... did a great job in their exibitions )
SG - Iguodola ( guards Lebron... shut down to 27% outside/35% OA)
PG - Magic ( guards kobe.. gives up points. gets them back via assists )



this team has a chance ...


Who's scoring for that team? Rodman and Iggy can't score on those guys. Magic and Pippen aren't winning their match ups offensively. Kareem would have to outscore Shaq and Duncan combined...

[DoctorP]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...


C-Wilt
PF-Kareem
SF- Magic
SG- Bird
PG- Stockton

Wilt and Kareem would neutralize Duncan and Shaq and then you have a team of unselfish passers in Magic/Bird/Stockton that can run the offense creatively and Bird/Stockton gives you knockdown 3-point shooters. Magic can neutralize Kobe using his size and Bird would slow Jordan down by making him chase the perimeter. LeBron would struggle with the quickness of Stockton. Jordan would be the toughest to contain in all fairness but if Wilt and Kareem can keep him from dunking he might not score 30 points.

[eeeeeebro]

my team wins because curry is a true point guard with supperior 3 point range ray allen is the ultimate role player and can hit clutch shots dirk is a good shooter has size and can shoot the 3 will definately shut down a kobe with his size and can post up.. KAReem abdul jabar has the greatest sky hook this world has ever seen its unblockable and he can put up 26+ points per game easy. David robinson is the gritty Athletic strength C that you need under the basket. and has proven himself successful vs shaq.

MAIN reason my team wins is because everyone on both teams can score MY team will score 3s more than them and win it all.

[Prime_Shaq]

The team would have no chemistry tbh and would implode but I'll play.

G- Gary Payton
G- Magic Johnson
F- Scottie Pippen
F- Kevin Garnett
C- Hakeem Olajuwon

[kennethgriffin]

Who's scoring for that team? Rodman and Iggy can't score on those guys. Magic and Pippen aren't winning their match ups offensively. Kareem would have to outscore Shaq and Duncan combined...



lol wtf?

C - Kareem = prime 35ppg
PF - Rodman = prime 10ppg
SF - Pippen = prime 22ppg
SG - Iguodola = prime 20ppg
PG - Magic = prime 24ppg


thats 111 ppg


more than enough in a game thatel likely be around 100 points


the left over points on the better offensive team will be wasted

the defense 4 of my 5 guys are known for at shutting their matchups down wouldnt be wasted

[DoctorP]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...


Here's a stretch/speed team to outrun you:

C- Barkley
PF- Dirk
SF- Bird
SG- Wade
PG- Nash

Barkley crashes the boards but stays out of the paint, as does Dirk. Bird and Wade use their versatility and offensive capability to attack, play help defense and rebound and Nash will keep the tempo at a brisk pace.

[G-train]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron



C - Kareem
PF - Hakeem
SF - Durant
SG - Carter
PG - McGrady

Let's dance.

[Derka]

C - Shaq
- Bill Russell would find a way to defend him and outwork him for rebounds.

PF - Duncan
- KG in a defense with Russell and Bird might limit Duncan's ability to score from almost anywhere within 18' of the hoop. That's a huge might, though.

SF - Kobe
- Undersized at that spot. Give me Larry.

SG - Jordan
- Iverson...could go shot for shot with Jordan and put on a show.

PG - LeBron
- Almost requires Magic Johnson just to have a size matchup and someone who can get the break going.

[CAstill]

The only type of teams beating them are fast and hard pressed on d. Needs versatility and the capability of capitalizing on half court traps. A dark horse team no one expects with an edge.

Hakeem
Kemp
Pippen
Wade
Kidd

[tamaraw08]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.

With the current rules, I can see that the only chance you have is to get the best defensive minded coach like Riley, supported by Van Gundy and Thibs to come up with a high breed match up Zone, clogging the lanes for both Duncan and Shaq, with no driving spaces for MJ and Kobe etc. If they have to give up something, they will dare Kobe and MJ to shoot from the 3pt line, where they were both the least effective etc.
6-9 Durant is a great floor spacer and at the same time can cover Kobe.
Pippen can cover MJ, plus he is such a great reader/ passer to Olajuwon.
Anthony Davis will be in the conversation of one of the best all around defenders, can cover Lebron or MJ or Kobe and even Duncan.
Olajuwon the way he dominated D-Rob, how Shaq and the best defender-Ewing etc.
And Magic, the brainiest, most flexible player in the history.
Yes, that team could be beaten IMO.

[tamaraw08]

By the way, you can also do a hack a Shaq.

[ralph_i_el]

Shaq
KG
Durant
MJ
Curry

Game Over

Spacing, defense, and off-ball play. Thought about taking CP3 over Curry

[dhsilv]

lol wtf?

C - Kareem = prime 35ppg
PF - Rodman = prime 10ppg
SF - Pippen = prime 22ppg
SG - Iguodola = prime 20ppg
PG - Magic = prime 24ppg


thats 111 ppg


more than enough in a game thatel likely be around 100 points


the left over points on the better offensive team will be wasted

the defense 4 of my 5 guys are known for at shutting their matchups down wouldnt be wasted



Note to self....never try engaging crazy people in conversations....

[bdreason]

PG - Magic
SG - Wade
SF - Bird
PF - Dirk
C - Hakeem

[Soundwave]

Shaq
KG
Durant
MJ
Curry

Game Over

Spacing, defense, and off-ball play. Thought about taking CP3 over Curry

Can't take Shaq or Jordan. They are on the other team.

[KobesFinger]

Hakeem
Garnett
Durant
Pippen
Wade

In the triangle

[GimmeThat]

Mutombo/Tyson Chandler
Dwight Howard
Rodman

I may have limited your options at the PG/SG position

but that's not a bad starting 5 per say.

[dhsilv]

OK here we go

Paul
Curry
Durant
Bird
KG

I'm going to just run that team out of breath and shoot 3's from everywhere.

[Q.E.C]

C - Hakeem
PF - Garnett
SF - KD
SG - Pippen
PG - Magic

I like this team! I would go with:

C - Yao Ming
PF - Hakeem Olajuwon
SF - Kevin Durant
SG - Scottie Pippen
PG - Tracy McGrady

[ralph_i_el]

Can't take Shaq or Jordan. They are on the other team.

Fine

DRob
Dirk
Durant
Ray Allen
Jason Kidd


Buckets every play.

[r0drig0lac]

The Big O
Durant
Bird
Dirk
Wilt

[jlip]

From another thread similar to this one:


I believe that the following "team" could give them a serious scare.

C- 1994 Hakeem
PF- 2008 KG
SF- 1996 Pippen
SG- 1994 Reggie Miller
PG- 2002 Jason Kidd (I struggled between '02 Kidd, '93 Stockton, '96 Payton, and '05 Billups.)

Other than Reggie Miller, this is a dominant defensive lineup. With Pippen's and KG's defensive versatility and ability to cover entire areas, Reggie's limited defensive presence is nullified. Team defense is more important than individual defense anyways.

The OP's team consisted of players who each were the #1 scoring options for their teams. No player avg. fewer than 22ppg, and three avg. over 25ppg. The offensive chemistry on that team would be horrible. This is significant because how each player played the game in the seasons indicated must be considered. '87 Magic can't be chosen, and then say he wouldn't look to score. If a pass-first Magic or a less offensive minded Duncan were desired then maybe the '85 and '07 versions, respectively, should have been chosen.

Of my team, during the seasons mentioned, the only two players who were clearly their team's first scoring options were Hakeem and Miller. (You could argue Kidd was, but he still avg. only 14.7ppg and played in a very balanced offense.) Hakeem provides dominant inside scoring, while Miller provides quality outside and clutch shooting, spacing the floor. (Outside shooting is another reason why I considered Stockton or Billups. With them you don't give up that much defensive presence either.) Pippen and KG were content not be first options but could easily given you 20+ points if necessary. So this team would not suffer offensively.

While my team is obviously a drop in overall talent compared to the OP's team, it yet consists of hall of fame players in or near their prime, and I feel it would have more synergy.

[feyki]

Bill
Dirk
Bird
West
Frazier


.

[DavisIsMyUniBro]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...
.

PG - Paul
Obviously, we know how good he is as a floor general. he will make sure everyone gets the ball. guarding Kobe
SG - Curry
- Ill raise some eyebrows here, I know. Guarding Lebron. For Spacing
He was about average at defending the iso, and was good in a few tries at defending the post. using him for spacing. hear me out on this
SF - Durant
I cant put him at SG, he sucked at that position.
A great ISO defender, obviously used for spacing as well, and his ability to score. would probably be the go-to scorer. guarding Jordan.
PF - Kevin Garnett
- Need an off-ball defender, other than Russell (needs to be good offensively as well). Garnett fits the bill. Great midrange shooter, great playmaker, great defender, etc.
C - 76er Wilt
- Making Wilt play primarily as a defensive player who passes the ball. he was 280 pounds ish. Im gonna go with offense over defense here and pick this version of Wilt. I think Shaq would have trouble overpowering Wilt because of Wilt's incredible strength. that being said, Shaq would still play solidly against wilt. Wilt's role would be more of a passing role, as the problem is, Wilt seemed to suck off-ball, so it seemed like at the time, entire games were just post up fests. motivated Shaq, like motivated Wilt, can stop anyone one on one. Wilt will be more like a distraction for shaq, and defensively, he should be able to hinder shaq, at least a little bit.



Wanna know my logic?

Duncan wont be getting the ball alot. the 4 around him are too selfish to give it to him enough. Shaq has a rivalry with Duncan, Kobe would be too busy isoing.
CP3 is actually pretty good at guarding Kobe. he was good at guarding pg from the post, suprisingly. as an isolation defender, he is among the league leaders. this would probably hurt kobe, since the ISO is his bread and butter.
Curry guarding Lebron... I know, it seems like a crazy idea. but hear me out. Lebron likes to get others involved in games. he is a willing passer. normally, thats a good thing.
Curry is not a bad on-ball defender. he is about league average. However, he will NOT contain lebron, at all. this is where Garnett's off-ball prowess comes in, and Wilts rim protection when Lebron gets to the hoop. Curry will give up some points, but he will make up for it on offense.
Durant is guarding Jordan. will he stop Jordan? no. but Durant has been an absolutely AMAZING on ball defender as of late. even Kobe and Jordan admit that he would be a tough person to get around.
Duncan is the type of person that is a heartbeat of an offense. he wont really score much in this type of roster. Garnett and Duncan will have an epic battle, but im using Garnett's playmaking skills, and his defensive abilities for this.
The thing about Isolation/post up plays, is that they arent actually effecient, as they rarely give out more than 1 ppp per play.
Garnett is meant to handle the Lebron situation, off-ball wise. Wilt is meant to try to limit Lebron and Jordan attacking the rim, though at best, he will only hinder them. best rim protecter off all time imo though, so they will have trouble attacking the rim. Garnett averaged 2 blocks this year as well.
I already said that Wilt and Shaq are meant to cancel each other out. Wilt would not be a primary scorer, he would be a primary passer.

Lebron wont ISO/take advantage of Curry the whole time. Neither Kobe or Jordan will allow it.

So defensively, I think I have got everyone except Lebron covered the best way possible. I wanted to shift Durant to the SG position and replace Curry with Pippen, but Durant is more fit for the SF position, his rapm was horrible as a SG.

Off-ball defense is key. Garnett will handle Duncan in things like pick and roll situations.
Im thinking of replacing Wilt with Russell, but I fear that Shaq will just bully him.
But sticking with Wilt, his main goal is to try to tire Shaq. rebounding wise, I give the edge to Wilt, but overall, the opposing team is a much better reobunding team.

On offense, we have 5 great playmakers (yes, Curry is an incredible playmaker that is waay too underrated. Someone on realgm basically convinced everyone that Curry was a top 15 peak player. and there were literally no holes in his arguement. Durant is a very good playmaker also)

all of them averaged 5 or more assists, and obviously, KG is a better playmaker than his stats indicate.

Ball movement will be key. therefore, either popovich or kerr will be the coach.

spacing wise, its a nightmare for the other team. Curry is the best 3 point shooter of all time, and Durant was just short of 40% from deep. very good shooter, both of them.
Garnett is also a good shooter, not a good 3 point shooter, but shoots 44.8% from jump shots from 16ft to the 3 point line.
shoots 46% from midrange.

76er wilt is used more as an opportunistic scorer, that will occasionally do a fader if there is a mismatch.

Paul is also a very good shooter, 37% from deep. his main goal will be to make sure the offense flows. obviously, it will.

I think the chemistry on this team will beat the talent on the opposing team.

[DavisIsMyUniBro]

C-Wilt
PF-Kareem
SF- Magic
SG- Bird
PG- Stockton

Wilt and Kareem would neutralize Duncan and Shaq and then you have a team of unselfish passers in Magic/Bird/Stockton that can run the offense creatively and Bird/Stockton gives you knockdown 3-point shooters. Magic can neutralize Kobe using his size and Bird would slow Jordan down by making him chase the perimeter. LeBron would struggle with the quickness of Stockton. Jordan would be the toughest to contain in all fairness but if Wilt and Kareem can keep him from dunking he might not score 30 points.


uhh, not to be mean... but
you realize that a player can be a PG and defend teh SF right?

anyway, I dont recall magic having very good defense. and I think that Stockton would get bodied by Lebron, without any support/good off-ball defenders I mean. (I mean, I dont think I like the idea of CP3 defending Lebron in the post)

Jordan was far from just a dunker. I think he actually shot the highest percentage ever recorded from midrange for people who scored more than 25 points in his late years with the Bulls

[Soundwave]

Too lazy to think about this, but I'd spread the floor and go with speed. Forcing shaq and duncan to guard 3 point shooters.

Something like Curry, Chris Paul, a 3 to be named later, Dirk, and a center to be named later who can shoot.

The goal being to win 160-150 through better shooters.

The thing is Jordan, Kobe, LeBron (prime) are all good to great perimeter defenders. I think it would be difficult for the smaller Curry and Paul to get their shot off uncontested.

And on the other end of the court, it's a huge mismatch. Chris Paul can't guard any one of Jordan, Kobe, or LeBron. Neither can Curry really.

[tamaraw08]

Shaq
KG
Durant
MJ
Curry

Game Over

Spacing, defense, and off-ball play. Thought about taking CP3 over Curry

KG is very good but Anthony Davis will be better IMO.
Curry is great on offense but can't cover anybody on the other team, so I'll pick Magic who can also switch with anyone except Shaq.

[ralph_i_el]

KG is very good but Anthony Davis will be better IMO.
Curry is great on offense but can't cover anybody on the other team, so I'll pick Magic who can also switch with anyone except Shaq.

I think Curry's gravity will make the team unstoppable with spacing.
Although apparently OP gets the GOAT and MDE so I had to make a new squad.

My new squad had JKidd at the point, and he can guard wings.

[Dbrog]

I feel like the only shot would be if you had a team of shooters who could get hot and just win off 3s. Something like:

Curry or Nash
Tmac
KD or Peja
Bird
Wilt


They would have a shot vs anyone depending on the day. Great size on this squad too.

[JerrySeinfeld]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - Barea

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

PG- Westbrook. Kobe and Jordan CAN NOT shut down GOATBROOK point blank period, HE WILL SLASH HIS WAY.
SG - Durant. Need a 3 every play? Need an O-reb every play? About the same as LBJ.
SF - Pippen. Shut Kobe the f*ck down. Give jordan trouble in the paint
PF - Bird. Neutralize Duncan, superior passer. Give jordan more trouble in the paint.
C - Wilt the Stilt. Go at it with Shaq

[DoctorP]

uhh, not to be mean... but
you realize that a player can be a PG and defend teh SF right?



anyway, I dont recall magic having very good defense. and I think that Stockton would get bodied by Lebron, without any support/good off-ball defenders I mean. (I mean, I dont think I like the idea of CP3 defending Lebron in the post)


Jordan was far from just a dunker. I think he actually shot the highest percentage ever recorded from midrange for people who scored more than 25 points in his late years with the Bulls

Yeah, surely team defense would have to adjust to the matchups but offensively a team with Bird and Magic on the perimeter gives you an assassin and another high IQ guy that can find the big men for easy points and you have Stock on the outside for kickouts and even more creativity to dish inside. Magic can also rebound well at the 3 spot. They would probably play the ultimate team game as opposed to Jordan/Bron/Kobe's one-one-one shenanigans.

Defensively I don't think Jordan can be slowed and I still think he will be able to get his dunks. That's what I meant. And yes I am well aware of Jordan's elite mid-range shooting.

[StephHamann]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.


C:Hakeem
PF: Dirk
SF:Bird
SG:Pippen
PG:Curry

Dare Lebron to shoot= Win

[tamaraw08]

PG- Westbrook. Kobe and Jordan CAN NOT shut down GOATBROOK point blank period, HE WILL SLASH HIS WAY.
SG - Durant. Need a 3 every play? Need an O-reb every play? About the same as LBJ.
SF - Pippen. Shut Kobe the f*ck down. Give jordan trouble in the paint
PF - Bird. Neutralize Duncan, superior passer. Give jordan more trouble in the paint.
C - Wilt the Stilt. Go at it with Shaq

I can't believe most of you guys are not picking the most athletic/flexible defender in Anthony Davis. The guy is 6-11 and can cover 4 of 5 of these icons plus is a great help defender :eek:
He is also very good in offense, can run the break etc.
I also can't believe everyone is leaving out Magic who is also very flexible and one of the smartest player EVER. But I guess, with the current rules. Curry can be helped on defense, I see Dirk holding his ground against Duncan while punishing him on offense with his ability to shoot from 3.
I see a triangle and two kind of defense (concocted by the late Rick Majerus), with Dirk and Olajuwon patrolling the middle, while Anthony DAvis roving and helping (this guy can cover within 6 ft radius well)while you dare MJ, Lebron and Kobe to shoot from the 3pt line. These guys can't hit from beyond 24 ft consistently.

I see Shaq was ready to murder Kobe for refusing to pass, he will either have a heart attack seeing MJ take an extra 25 attempts. Duncan and Shaq will never see the ball, Davis can cover MJ, the 6-10 Durant can cover Kobe

[DavisIsMyUniBro]

I can't believe most of you guys are not picking the most athletic/flexible defender in Anthony Davis. The guy is 6-11 and can cover 4 of 5 of these icons plus is a great help defender :eek:
He is also very good in offense, can run the break etc.
I also can't believe everyone is leaving out Magic who is also very flexible and one of the smartest player EVER. But I guess, with the current rules. Curry can be helped on defense, I see Dirk holding his ground against Duncan while punishing him on offense with his ability to shoot from 3.
I see a triangle and two kind of defense (concocted by the late Rick Majerus), with Dirk and Olajuwon patrolling the middle, while Anthony DAvis roving and helping while you dare MJ, Lebron and Kobe to shoot from the 3pt line. These guys can't hit from beyond 24 ft consistently.

I didnt pick davis
LOOK AT MY PROFILE NAME


his off-ball defense and many things like that are still very poor. his isnt a very good playmaker, but offensively he has entered taht stratosphere VERY early.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Havent seen a team worthy of beaten ops yet

[JellyBean]

All prime players

C - Shaq
PF - Duncan
SF - Kobe
SG - Jordan
PG - LeBron

Can this team even be beaten? NOTE: No repeating/reusing players, so all five of these guys are off-limits.

Aaaaaaand go ...

The best I could come up with is this, though I think they'd still lose:

C - Wilt
PF - Hakeem
SF - Bird
SG - Wade
PG - Magic

To be honest I think maybe Durant over Bird just for match up purposes might be a better fit. I dunno.


I think my team could cause some problems:

C: Moses Malone
PF: Nate Thurmond
SF: Scottie Pippen
SG: Alvin Robertson
PG: Kawi Leonard

[bizil]

To be different, I'm going to form the best TWO WAY kind of squad possible to combat this starting five:

C- Wilt
PF- Hakeem
SF- Grant Hill
SG- Wade
PG- Pippen

[Duffy Pratt]

Kobe needs too many shots. LeBron has shown almost no ability to play well without dominating the ball. Shaw also needs the ball too much. Your "team" is an amazing collection of first option scorers and solid defenders, but lots of teams would have better chemistry.

Here is one possibility, all in prime years:

Walton
Russell
Pippin
Magic
Frazier

Might swap out KG or Rodman for Russell. I have better passers, better defenders, a faster overall squad, and all players capable of scoring but none who need the ball.

[dhsilv]

The thing is Jordan, Kobe, LeBron (prime) are all good to great perimeter defenders. I think it would be difficult for the smaller Curry and Paul to get their shot off uncontested.

And on the other end of the court, it's a huge mismatch. Chris Paul can't guard any one of Jordan, Kobe, or LeBron. Neither can Curry really.

I'm assuming we're using modern rules with zones. Chris Paul is a lockdown defender. There are issues if he's posted up but again zones. I cannot disagree more about these guys not getting shots off. Great offense always beats great defense. Add in who's keeping paul out of the paint...for the full 48 not just on big moments. Also keep in mind I knew the defense was an issue and it's way I have two point guards on the roster.

[Soundwave]

I'm assuming we're using modern rules with zones. Chris Paul is a lockdown defender. There are issues if he's posted up but again zones. I cannot disagree more about these guys not getting shots off. Great offense always beats great defense. Add in who's keeping paul out of the paint...for the full 48 not just on big moments. Also keep in mind I knew the defense was an issue and it's way I have two point guards on the roster.

They can get the shot off, it'll just be with a player 6 inches taller with a large wingspan and superior leaping ability in their grill. Which I would think substantially alters the percentage of those shots going in.

[Smoke117]

C- Hakeem Olajuwon

PF - Dirk Nowitzki

SF - Larry Bird

SG - Dwyane Wade

PG - Scottie Pippen

I don't see why the original team in the OP would be that great...you can see so many issues looking at that team. Just because you take 5 individuals that are were all time greats doesn't mean they'd work as a cohesive UNIT on a team. Take Shaq for instance...dominant as hell no doubt...but also prone to bouts of pouting and ego tantrums when he doesn't get enough touches. (his quote about not defending if he doesn't get said touches). Duncan is fine, but Dirk or KG would work a lot better next to Shaq. Kobe?...why would anyone want Kobe on their team when they have Michael Jordan? His assets are redundant with Jordans and he's prone to hero ball and I can't think anyone on this team is going to want to put with his shit in that regard on this team. Jordan is Jordan. Magic is great, but he's an extremely ball dominant PG and there is no place for that kind of PG on this team for the most part.

The fact of the matter is this original team in the OP just would not work as a unit, but more as 5 individual great players playing on the same team. My team has 5 great players too and at the level all these guys play...it's going to be who can actually play cohesively and not which team has the better great players. My team has the unselfishness to succeed while giving each player clear roles on the team.

[Fallen Angel]

Gary Payton
Dwyane Wade
Larry Bird
Hakeem Olajuwon
Wilt Chamberlain
I'll replace Wade with Durant:

Gary Payton
Kevin Durant
Larry Bird
Hakeem Olajuwon
Wilt Chamberlain

GP guards Jordan
KD guards Kobe
Bird guards Lebron
Hakeem guards Duncan
Wilt guards Shaq

I'd put that team up against any other All-Time team someone could come up with.

[Sakkreth]

Sabonis 85-86 >> Shaq
Hakeem ~ Duncan
Bird >> Kobe
Wade <<< Jordan
Magic ~ LeBron

And works way better as a team. Way better passing, spacing and less ego.

[dhsilv]

They can get the shot off, it'll just be with a player 6 inches taller with a large wingspan and superior leaping ability in their grill. Which I would think substantially alters the percentage of those shots going in.

Because nobody ever got an open shot against the bulls with Jordan, Pippen, and while not list worth Harper wasn't bad either? There's no way pick and rolls might create openings for shooters? Chris Paul WILL get to the basket I don't care who is guarding him.

Basketball favors the offensive player! My hypothetical team would never be held under 120 in any game outside of refs just going nuts. Now could they keep the other team under 120? That's tough, but I were given a scenario where if we assume the other team bites ego and plays as a team, it's just about as good as one can get.

[dhsilv]

Sabonis 85-86 >> Shaq
Hakeem ~ Duncan
Bird >> Kobe
Wade <<< Jordan
Magic ~ LeBron

And works way better as a team. Way better passing, spacing and less ego.

Honestly was going to go with Sabonis but couldn't think of how to spell his name!

That team however I'd be iffy on how they'd play in transition.

Also I assume Bird is guarding Lebron?

[dhsilv]

Are we playing modern rules guys? I'm seeing everyone with two centers and often a big man at the 3 in bird. That seems pretty counter to everything that works today.

[aj1987]

i would replace wade with Harden.

Harden can get shaq into foul trouble in first 2min.
Shaq would lay him out after the first few flops.