re: Karl Malone gives his All-Time NBA Starting 5: No Jordan

I know Karl is trolling, but he brings up an interesting point. There is a clear difference between a team with the best 5 at each position, and the best team of all time.

I'd argue that LeBron, Robertson, Pippen, Duncan, and Hakeem are a better team than Magic, Jordan, Kobe, Bird, and Shaq, for instance.

That's even dumber than Malone's list. A team with Jordan and Shaq would be unstoppable.

quote:

---

And you would lose that argument.

---

Look, I know that MJ is the GOAT, that Shaq is probably the best 5 ever, that Kobe is an all time great scorer, and Magic is the best PG to ever play, but I don't think those players would play well together. At least not as good as the first team.

You have three alpha males (Kobe, MJ, and Shaq). That team would be less than the sum of its parts.

I give you the 2011-2013 Heat as exhibit 1. LeBron has continued to dominate but usually at the expense of DWade and Bosh.

Team 1 would be equally as talented on defense as Team 2, but the offense of Team 1 would flow more smoothly and efficiently IMO. All 5 of those players are exceptional passers (Duncan is the weakest link), and there is not a selfish player on the team either.

quote:

---

Hard to pick against a team with the top 3 greatest B Ball players of all time. 1.MJ 2. Larry Legend and 3. Magic And they are probably in that order.

---

I don't agree that they are the top 3, but that is a completely different argument. I'm trying to illustrate that the best starting five are not the best 5 individuals. The GOAT arguments at each position usually revolve around great scorers, but that is not enough when playing against a team full of equally talented players. You play defense half the time in basketball. You also have to facilitate those around you.

Sure Bird and Magic would pass it around, and MJ was more than serviceable as well, but Kobe and Shaq are going to shoot more often than not, and I think that would be an issue on that team. Every player on Hakeem's team can score AND pass as well, plus they are all incredibly unselfish. That team would be incredible on offense, and their defense would be even better.

You under playin the 3 greatest basketball players in the history of the sport. Bird and Magic and MJ were not only good at certain aspects of the game. All 3 had the highest basketball IQ's probably ever. They all knew what to do at crucial times in a game when most players are shaking in their shoes. They relished the primetime. Pippen was a good player, but I really think his importance is overstated because of the fact he played with Jordan. And because of that long relation Jordan would know how to take him apart. Expose all his weaknesses because that is the kind of player Michael Jordan was.

There's no way your five win. I don't care what you say. Best out of 7 or 21. Hell, I don't even think Oscar Robertson can shoot 3's.

PG: Magic
SG: Kobe
SF: Jordan
PF: Wilt
C: Shaq

I would put this starting 5 against any starting 5 anyone else can come up with.

quote:

---

PG: Magic SG: Kobe SF: Jordan PF: Wilt C: Shaq

---

Magic, Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Hakeem.

We might sweep.