NBA All-Time Starting Five

Written by The Fool on August 25, 2005

We love lists – writers and readers, all of us. Especially since the turn of the century; since then, it’s been a journalistic list free for all. The Fool is waiting for someone to break out the “Top 10 Greatest Lists of the last 150 Years.” Coming soon to a VH1 near you.

Of course, we here at Rotogods.com encourage this with our “Top Fives” forum, which I’ll send you to at the end off this morning’s offering.

So despite the looming NFL season (and the fantasy drafts that precede it), the Rotogods have been bantering about fantasy basketball for the past couple days. Naturally. In fact, just a few days ago, I was trying to goad Ricky and Ape into laying some sweet cash on the Celtics to win the NBA title. You’ve got to love those 35-to-1 odds. Or that might have been the Budweiser – handed out by the lovely ladies in the Wynn sports book in Las Vegas – talking.

But that got The Fool thinking about an obvious list we haven’t discussed – our all-time NBA starting five. Not the five or 10 best players, but the best five in regards to a lineup – point guard, off guard, small forward, power forward and center.

Here’s one Fool’s crack at it:

FIRST TEAM

Point Guard: Magic Johnson
One of the three easy selections. Magic, though he played for the hated Lakers, still earned The Fool’s respect and admiration. At 6-foot-9, he revolutionized the way the game was played at the point and keyed the successful “Showtime” Lakers, winning five NBA titles in the process. Those three MVPs look nice on the mantle as well.

Off guard: Michael Jordan
Perhaps you’ve heard of him. Six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, five MVP trophies, 14 All-Star selections, two embarrassing stints with minor league franchises (The Birmingham Barons and the Washington Wizards), millions made on the court and in endorsements, millions more lost on the golf course and at the card table. Jordan did it all, and did it better than anyone else.

Small forward: Larry Bird
You might have heard of “Larry Legend” too. My best friend and I used to argue about who was better, Bird or Jordan. I always said Bird; that was before Jordan ripped off six championships. But Bird was the league’s premier shooter for a decade and showed how the “point forward” position was meant to be played. Dominant from day one, he was the 1980 NBA Rookie of the year and won his first of three NBA titles the following season. His 1985-86 Boston Celtics squad is considered one of the best – if not the best – team in NBA history, and Bird picked up MVP and Finals MVP trophies to boot that year. Not too shabby for a hick from French Lick.

Power forward: Charles Barkley
OK, here’s where The Fool’s list gets dicey. For one thing, he’d be about six inches or so shorter than our small forward. But the Round Mound of Rebound never let height get in his way – he still managed to dominate down low in his prime. Then as he got older, he improved other aspects of his game: most notably, passing and shooting. This led to the much-deserved MVP award in 1993, his first year with the Phoenix Suns (though he probably should have won it at least one more time). Known more perhaps for being somewhat of a loudmouth cartoon, Barkley was also a basketball badass who could score (22.1 point average for his career) as well as rebound (11.7 career average, including double figures in all but his rookie season). Nice work Shorty.

Center: Bill Russell
Another one that will get some debate from the Shaq, Wilt and Kareem lovers. But I’ll let Big Russ smack them in the head with his 11 championship rings. And then, The Fool will remind you that Bill Russell’s teams were 10-0 in Game 7s. Still confused? Well consider that Russell stood a bit shorter than the day’s monster, Wilt Chamberlain, but still managed to dominate him. Russell revolutionized the game and the way his position was played, and he did it with class, kicking ass and winning titles.

SECOND TEAM

Point Guard: Oscar Robinson
The Fool wishes he had room on his first team for The Big O, who in 1961-62 averaged a triple double (in just his second season): 30.8 points, 11.4 assists and 12.5 rebounds.

Off guard: Jerry West
Dude is the NBA Logo. He also was an All-Star every season and played in nine NBA Finals series, winning once (those pesky Celtics often getting in the way). And West was one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, averaging 27 points for his career.

Small forward: Elgin Baylor
Forget about the oaf running the Clippers. Elgin the player was a smooth stud of a basketball star, starring alongside West on the Lakers while averaging 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds in his 14-year career.

Power forward: Karl Malone
The Fool has never been a fan of this truck-driving, nutsack-kicking, pro wrestling, no-title-winning redneck, but the numbers, production and consistency are hard to ignore. But Barkley gets the first team spot.

Center: Shaquille O’Neal
He may win another title or two before his career ends, but the only active player on this list is easily one of the most dominant down low since Russell and Wilt. Quibble if you will about the free throw shooting, but look at what else he does and how he dominates when he’s at his best . . . . and check out his heavy hand. It’s already got three rings on it.

So there are The Fool’s picks for the first two “All NBA” teams. Like em? Hate em? Wish you’d never read em? Then click here to list your own or tweak my squads. And trust me, once you get past the “Big Three,” it isn’t as easy as it looks.

Drop The Fool an e-mail at thefool@rotogods.com.

-- Written by The Fool on August 25, 2005