Assembling the All-Time NBA Team

Just for fun let's discuss the All-Time NBA team. So much debate goes into who is the best player to ever play the game (it's Michael Jordan for anybody who needs to know) and as I tried to assemble this team no position came easy. Who is your center??? Bill Russell? Kareem? Wilt? You can hardly cut one of those guys, but that's what has to be done to do this. What I did was make a 12-man roster like an NBA team uses today. There are no active players on this roster. All players must be in the Hall of Fame to be eligible for the team. I note the starters and then the bench players and then picked my coaches. So here it goes...the NBA's All-Time Team:

Point Guard: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (1979-1991, 1996)

Magic led the Showtime Lakers of the 80's and helped the franchise to six titles during that time. Magic was named to the All-Star team 11 times and was the league MVP three times along with three Finals MVP awards. At 6'8" Magic was taller than most guards, yet he handled the ball so well, dishing out 11 assists per game for his career.

Career Stats: Points- 19.2    Rebounds- 7.2     Assists- 11.2     Steals- 1.9

Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls (1984-1998), Washington Wizards (2001-2003)

MJ's storied career with the Bulls is highlighted by the two 3-peats in the 90's along with Scottie Pippen and he is considered by many the greatest player of all time. Jordan collected five MVPs, six Finals MVP's, was a 14-time All-Star, and was named to the All-NBA First Team ten times. Jordan was an offensive force but also a defensive stopper. He averaged over two steals per game and was named to NBA All-Defensive Team ten times over his career.

Career Stats: Points- 30.1     Rebounds- 6.2     Assists- 5.3     Steals- 2.3

Small Forward: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics (1979-1992)

The Hick from French Lick went up against Magic's Lakers several times during the glory days of the 80's and Bird's Celtics won three championships in that time. Bird was the Finals MVP twice to go with his three league MVP awards. Bird's shooting was unmatched, especially from behind the arc. His defense also was recognized as he was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team three times. He was also a 12-time All-Star.

Career Stats: Points- 24.3     Rebounds- 10.0     Assists- 6.3     Steals- 1.7

Power Forward: Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics (1980-1993)

After much debate McHale gets the starting job for the power forward position. Statistically speaking he is not as good as others but what sets him apart is his rings and the fact that he played on one of the greatest teams ever. McHale was with Bird for the three championships and won two Sixth Man of the Year awards. He was also selected to the All-Defensive First team three times.

Career Stats: Points- 17.9     Rebounds- 7.3     Assists- 1.7     Blocks- 1.7

Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989)

The center position was the hardest to pick but Kareem is the best. He dominated the floor on both ends and won championships while doing it. He won one championship with the Bucks and five with the Lakers. Kareem won six MVP awards and was the Finals MVP twice. He also was named to 18 All-Star games and won the Rookie of the Year award in 69-70.

Career Stats: Points- 24.1     Rebounds- 10.9     Assists- 3.5     Steals- 1.0     Blocks- 2.6

Off the Bench

Bob Cousy, Boston Celtics (1950-1963), Cincinnati Royals (1969-70)

Career Stats: Points- 19.0     Rebounds- 5.1     Assists- 7.9

Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals (1960-1970), Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974)

Career Stats: Points- 25.7     Rebounds- 7.5     Assists- 9.5     Steals- 1.1

Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers (1976-1987)

Career Stats: Points- 23.1     Rebounds- 7.0     Assists- 4.0     Steals- 1.9     Blocks- 1.6

Karl Malone, Utah Jazz (1985-2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-2004)

Career Stats: Points- 25.0     Rebounds- 10.1     Assists- 3.6     Steals- 1.4

Wilt Chamberlain, PHI/SF Warriors (1959-1965), Philadelphia 76ers (64-68), LA Lakers (70-73)

Career Stats: Points- 30.1     Rebounds- 22.9     Assists- 4.4

Bill Russell, Boston Celtics (1956-1969)

Career Stats: Points- 15.1    Rebounds- 22.5     Assists- 4.3

Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974)

Career Stats: Points- 27.0     Rebounds- 5.8     Assists- 6.7     Steals- 2.6

Coach: Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls (1989-1998), Los Angeles Lakers (1999-Present)

Alright so I made an exception on the whole "gotta be retired" thing with the coach but that's because Phil Jackson is that good. He has coached the Bulls in the Jordan-era, the Lakers in the Shaq and Kobe-era and is now working on another 3-peat with the Kobe-led Lakers. He has been able to mesh superstars with each other and has won three titles in a row three times.

Career Stats: 11 NBA Championships (6 with Bulls, 5 with Lakers)

Picking this team was, by no means, an easy task. When comparing statistics it's amazing how close some players are to one another. Truth is, you could take five guys off that bench and put them as the starters and you might have just as good or a better team. Also, picking only 12 guys is just not fair. Where is Elgin Baylor, Elvin Hayes, and Moses Malone? What about Isiah and Walt Frazier? Bob Pettit at power forward maybe? The list goes on and on but it's so hard to narrow it down to twelve players. These are the 12 I would take and the five I would put out on the floor to start the game. Let me hear who you would start though. Let the debate begin...