OT Meyers Leonard all time starting five

[BigGameDamian]

 

[jlprk]

Unimaginative list, from his snail-speed brain neurons.

Brain: "Leg! Move 2 feet left now!"

Leg: "I'm a-gittin there, boss."

 

[handiman]

He went with the easy picks, but good luck coming up with a starting 5 that beats that lineup.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

He went with the easy picks, but good luck coming up with a starting 5 that beats that lineup.

I'd match them up with Pippen (at point, yes), Kawhi, Giannis, Garnett, and Wilt. Long, rangy defenders, willing passers, capable scorers.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Steph Curry
Ray Allen
Kevin Durant
Dirk Nowitzki
Cliff Robinson

Honestly believe this 5 would beat any of the others mentioned, 3 > 2. Coaches, players and the league didn't realize what an advantage 3's were until the last 15 years.

Jordan would score 70% on his.shots but they'd give up 50% on threes and get blown out.

I think it's stupid the game has changed to primarily a 3 point shootout. They should change the rules, extend the line farther back or such.

 

[Minstrel]

They should change the rules, extend the line farther back or such.

That would be an interesting change. It would certainly cut down the number of threes, and it would make players like Curry and Lillard much more valuable--the few players who could knock down longer threes on good efficiency.

 

[Cheese22]

PG-Pippen
SG-Kobe
SG-Jordan
F-Giannis
C-Tim Duncan
The only question is would there be enough spotlight to fit those egos (Kobe/MJ) on the same team. This would probably be the best defensive 5 ever put together. Scoring points would be the last of your worries. No Lebron because he is too ball dominant and too much ego to fit with such a team. Kobe and Jordan may be too much together, Lebron and Jordan together...no way. Giannis, Pippen and Duncan because of defense, roles on this team, defense, rebounding and defense. Plus, I think they have just enough humility to fit next to MJ and Kobe and keep team harmony without getting swallowed up by their intensity. Give Phil Jackson a little time to figure out how to make these personalities work together and this is my starting 5.
Honorable mention-Magic, Lebron, Shaq, Bill Russell, David Robinson (maybe the most underrated player of all time), Bill Walton (hate him because of his announcing but can't deny his ability in his prime) and Kevin Durant.

 

[Minstrel]

Steph Curry
Michael Jordan
Kevin Durant
Kevin Garnett
Hakeem Olajuwon

I'd be pretty interested in watching that group play. Curry is the only one of the four who doesn't provide length and athleticism on defense--but at this point, I think he's the most dangerous offensive weapon the game has seen. On a team where you just can't leave anyone else, how do you even guard him? If he still draws extra defenders (which isn't impossible--in the 2017 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers gave Durant several uncontested dunks on fast breaks in order to scramble to Curry behind the three-point line; I've never seen that before), Jordan, Durant, Garnett and Olajuwon feast almost without breaking a sweat.

 

[handiman]

I'd match them up with Pippen (at point, yes), Kawhi, Giannis, Garnett, and Wilt. Long, rangy defenders, willing passers, capable scorers.

That team would be a nightmare defensively, but I feel like their offense would be inconsistent outside of Wilt. At least, compared to the Meyers team.

A big part of the exercise is how does the theoretical game get officiated? If it's allowed to be '90s physical, the lanky advantage deteriorates.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Pippin
Jordan
Kawhi
Garnett
Hakeem

This would be my pick for best defensive team of all time. Jordan was really a great defender and if he didn't have to carry the load offensively he may have been even better.