Happy April Fools, NLSC! On this very special day, allow me to introduce one of the most exciting teams ever formed from the NBA's best. This is your...
Universal Legends! Let us look at the starters.
Sun YueYue was the second Chinese player to win an NBA championship, after Mengke Bateer with the 2003 Spurs. Drafted 40th overall in 2007 by the Los Angeles Lakers, he wouldn't officially join the squad until August 2008. However, he made his explosive debut on December 7, 2008 against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he tallied
four points in five minutes of play, while also grabbing four fouls and two turnovers. He played in ten games and scored a total of six points in twenty-eight minutes before being assigned to the D-League affiliate Los Angeles D-Fenders. He would then travel with the Lakers during the playoffs despite not playing, and the team eventually won the championship.
Ricky DavisTyree Ricardo Davis was drafted 21st overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1998. He would be noteworthy though with his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-2003), where he almost achieved the incredible on March 16, 2003 against the Utah Jazz. With Cleveland leading 120–95 and less than a minute remaining, Davis was one rebound short of his first career triple double, and
he deliberately tossed an inbound pass off Cleveland's own rim and caught it in attempt to receive credit for a rebound. The officials did not count this "rebound" however, and due to this play Davis was nicknamed "
Wrong Way Ricky."
Adam MorrisonDrafted 3rd overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006, Morrison was considered as one of the top college basketball players in 2005–06 during his three-year stint with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. This success didn't quite translate well in the professional league, despite scoring a career-high 30 points on December 30, 2006. Losing his starting spot midway through the season, he would average 11.8 points per game and 29.8 minutes per game at the end of the year. Treatment for a torn ACL caused him to miss the entire 2006-07 season, with the injury hampering his play the season after. He only played 44 games during the 2007-08 season, while only scoring 4.5 points per game. He would be traded later to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7, 2009. A man of faith can say the trade proved to be a blessing for him, as
he won two straight NBA championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 despite having very little playing time.Kwame BrownBrown was the first ever high school player drafted number one overall. It was reported that before this, Brown told then-Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins, "If you draft me, you'll never regret it." He averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Wizards during his rookie year. Despite this, the team believed in Brown's potential. In his sophomore year, Brown started in twenty games he played and the total minutes he played doubled. Brown improved his numbers, posting averages of 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. In his third season, Brown continued to improve, posting career highs in both points (10.9) and rebounds (7.4). He also demonstrated his great potential during a game against the Sacramento Kings, where he registered 30 points and 19 rebounds. After four years in the league, he was traded to the Lakers. On December 26, 2005, he played his first game at Washington as a Laker. The sold-out crowd loudly booed him upon entering the game and whenever he touched the ball.
In the second quarter, Brown was looking the other way when teammate Sasha Vujacic threw a pass his way. The ball bounced off his head and landed out of bounds, which was met with loud cheers from the crowd. Brown called the reception "weak" and stated that "they should be cheering that I'm gone." The Wizards won the game 94–91.
He never achieved his full potential as a top pick and later became a journeyman playing for six more teams before being waived by his last team the Philadelphia 76ers on November 20, 2013.
Brian ScalabrineThe "White Mamba" serves as the team captain and star player for the Legends. Drafted 34th overall in 2001 by the New Jersey Nets, making the Nets instant title contenders. It would be no coincidence that they went to the NBA Finals for two consecutive years since Scalabrine arrived. A year later, he would score a career-high 17 points against the Detroit Pistons during the 2004 Eastern Conference semifinals, allowing the Nets to emerge victorious after a triple-overtime thriller. The game drained the entire team however, which allowed the Pistons to win the series and become the eventual champions. He surpassed his career high the following season, posting 29 points on January 26, 2005 against the Golden State Warriors. Later that year, he recorded a career high in minutes (45) against the Toronto Raptors. This game resulted in a much-needed win to keep the Nets' playoff aspirations alive, proving once again Scalabrine's greatness.
Perhaps his most notable achievement in
winning an NBA championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics without playing a single postseason game. This is a true testament to his greatness. No wonder he is considered "The Man, The Myth, The Legend."
Other esteemed members of this team include:
Javaris "Pick One" Crittenton, Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen, DJ Mbenga, "The Human Victory Cigar" Darko Milicic, Gabe Pruitt, Michael Ruffin, and
Hasheem Thabeet.Here is the link for the team file:
http://forums.nba-live.com/downloads.php?view=detail&df_id=9210Now you can relive the glory days of these extraordinary individuals.