I found a great debate article on ESPN dealing with putting together the best team of all time.

Early this morning, a debate broke out among the SportsCenter staff in the show pod. The question was, “If you had to choose 5 players to start on an all-time NBA team, who would it be?” After about 15 minutes, we decided to do a draft. Four teams, and each picked a starting 5. The Team names are based on the order of the draft (Team A had the 1st pick, but in this “snake-style draft”, team A did not select again until pick number 8). For the record, Michel Jordan did NOT go with the first pick – here’s how the 1st round went: 1) Chamberlain, 2) Jordan, 3) Magic, 4) LeBron.

Well, this is right up my alley, so I had to put my own 2 cents into the argument. I went with each player’s highest APP+ value and then found which team had the highest average. Of course, I’d love to do a 10k sim (simulate the games 10,000 times), but I don’t have a system to do that … yet! Here’s the breakdown:

Chamberlain and Duncan would create perhaps the most fearsome offensive-defensive low post punch, but Oscar Robertson as a small forward? I wonder how effective he would be off the ball. Team A would lose size with Jerry West at the shooting guard position but Chamberlain’s production seems to more than make up for everyone else’s lapses.

Obviously this team won’t be lacking in terms of scoring with Barkley, Baylor, Maravich and especially Jordan. Also, they’re anchored by the winningest baller in the history of the sport. However, I’m concerned about ESPN’s selection of Pistol Pete. Sure, he was an electrifying player in both the NBA and college as well as a deeply interesting man, but he’s one of the league’s most famously overrated guys. As a result, Team B is dragged down a bit in terms of average APP+.

This is my favorite team. How can you beat these five in their prime? Still, I’m not so sure how Hakeem at the four would work. I would probably switch Kareem with him as Kareem was more of the finesse player while Hakeem was the better defender. Julius would be a big shooting guard, but at this early a stage in his career, he’s probably quick enough to keep up with even Jordan. With Hakeem and Kareem in the low post, Julius slashing, Bird shotting and Magic dishing, this is a solid, solid team.

Though comprised of unquestionably great players, I have the msot reservations about this team playing together. Look at who is playing each position … and then realize there’s only one ball to share between them!

Anyway, the APP+ has spoken and predicts Team A to be the winner. However, I’d still love to 10k sim this because I get the feeling Team C might edge everyone out.