who would you pick?

[magius]

this has probably been done before, consider this an update as players and opinions are constantly changing.

If you were building a franchise from scrap and could pick any player in the league today who would you pick? consider age and other such factors. state your top 10. this is NOT a who is better thread, this is a who would you build a team around whether it be for success in the future or the future and now thread. their is no wrong answer, put mark madsen at your number one if you want to lose all future credibility

1. tim duncan
2. kevin garnett
3. jermaine o'neal
4. yao ming (because you never know, and shaqs fading)
5. shaqille o'neal
6. amare stoudemire
7. jason kidd
8. lebron james
9. kobe bryant
10. tracy mcgrady


notables that couldve made it: elton brand, ben wallace, paul pierce (MAYBE), iverson (MAYBE), nowtizki (MAYBE)

as most of you can see and maybe disagree my top 6 spots consist of players 6'11 or taller. You cant outscore another team with guards, and your defense is really only as good as your big man down low........anyway, i picked the big men because in my opinion big men have more of an overall effect on who will win a game -- you dont win a championship with guards, and unless mj unretires........

moving on, if ben wallace were younger he wouldve been at 6 or 7. i put jason kidd above the scoring guards because if i were building a team from scratch i prefer a point because as we all know there are many players in this league who can average at least 16 per given the oppurtunity and a good distributor, and also jason kidd has always been the best player on his teams and they have made the playoffs.

edit: this post has been edited thrice! (in fact, this very edit has been edited ) the original list had dirk nowitzki at 7 and everyone else moved down with tmac at 10b. i chose to disclude dirk because he is a schmuck, other than that my list is of course the bestest. just thought you should know

[fgrep15]

1) Kevin Garnett
2) Tim Duncan
3) Shaquille O'neal
4) Yao Ming
5) Tracy McGrady
6) Kobe Bryant (still uncertainty about his whole situation)
7) Amare Stoudamire
8) Elton Brand
9) Jermaine O'neal
10a) Jason Kidd, he's old now
10b) Lebron and Melo

Feel free to question the picks and put forth a good argument in order for me to reconsider, I know the Elton Brand pick will definately be questioned.
I'm not that high on Yao, because I don't feel he can carry a team yet, and till he proves it to me which means more aggresiveness and will to take over then I'll still be a little skeptical, but I'm being nice and putting him at 4th, if not he'd be at #6 after Tmac and KB.
Tmac I'm also not impressed with, but he's still very young, and he can change, hopefully, but their's other elite SG's I'd like to have just as much or even more than Tmac even though they don't have the big numbers.

EDIT: Man I just dont like Dirk Nowitzki in there, I'm replacing him with Lebron and Melo.

[smackthepony]

hmm...

Tim Duncan is the best place to start.

I'm gonna give the starting linup here

1. Tim Duncan-Center
2. Kevin Garnett-Power Forward
3. Chauncey Billups-Point Guard
4. Lebron James-Shooting Guard
5. Tayshaun Prince-Small Forward

Reserves
6. Dwyane Wade
7. Mike Bibby
8. Yao Ming
9. Dirk Nowitziki
10. Andrei Kirelenko
11. Kirk Hinrich
12. Darko Milicic

Ok here's my explanation:
Tim B Dunkin and the Big Ticket are obvious. I picked Prince over many others because I figure that on a TEAM you need at some guys who are more role players. Plus I really enjoy watching Prince play. He's got good shooting, can penetrate, and plays great defense. Along with Timmy and KG, we have a very tough frontcourt to get through. I picked Chauncey and Lebron because they can both score and pass and create plays with relative ease. They're fast, strong, and dangerous. They could easily become the greatest backcourt ever. Or not. Who cares, I just want to put out a group of guys who can play as a team. Lebron, Chauncey, KG, Prince, and Timmy know how to do that.

Wade is a reserve because he's been a little injury prone and should work on his defensive skills a bit. Bibby is a great passer, which is gonna be needed no matter what. Ming is huge, and has more potential than Shaq. He needs to get physical, though. Dirky-Dirk adds a great perimeter threat from the bench when needed, and maybe he can bring it inside sometimes too. Andrei has shown a lot this year and is a great defensive presence. As for the last two, well, with all this insane talent there should be a couple young guys who can develop with the rest of the team for the future.

Head coach-Larry Brown

He would be able to give Yao Ming and Drik Nowitiski a much more complete game. He would teach them to go inside, be physical, and...well you know the rest of the mantra.

If I was to build a team, this is what it would look like.

[Andrew]

1. Kevin Garnett
2. Tim Duncan

These two are probably interchangeable, but this year I'd pick KG as my #1. Even though the Timberwolves lost Cassell and ran out of steam in the Western Finals, we still saw what KG could do with a little more help. Duncan is by no means a distant second; I'm simply picking KG because he had the MVP year.

3. LeBron James

I know I'm placing him pretty high on the list, but he's already lived up to the (realistic) hype, and he's still got plenty of potential to fulfil. He isn't shaping up to be another Derrick Coleman; a guy with great potential who quite literally displayed a "whoop-de-damn-doo" attitude early on his career, and never lived up to the expectations. LeBron's also only 19 years old. He should be around for some time, most likely longer than most of the others on the list.

4. Shaquille O'Neal

He's slightly past his prime, but he could go another three or four years at a dominant pace. He's still at a level where the best way to prevent him from punishing you is to have him on your roster. Probably the best choice for the team that wants to win a title or two right now.

5. Jason Kidd

Still the best point guard in the league and an excellent leader, but he is getting older. Like Shaq, building a team around him is based on the idea that the team will be competing for a title now rather than five or six years down the road.

6. Yao Ming

More potential than any other 7'6" guy we've ever seen in the NBA. Providing he can stick around for a long time, continue to become more aggressive on offense and gets all the touches he needs, Yao should be the undisputed number one centre in the league once Shaq's retirement or age leaves that honour for the next dominant big man.

7. Kobe Bryant

He probably should be higher, but I'm not sure if he's capable of being The Man. Winning without Shaq will be all the convincing I need. His game needs a little more patience and maturity before it will carry a team without the Diesel, and that should come pretty soon. The possibility of losing him due to his legal troubles would also make me wary. Even though I could terminate his contract and wipe it off the books, I'm still losing talent.

8. Amare Stoudemire

So far so good with Amare, and things are looking up. Still unproven as the centrepiece on a winning team though, he makes the list on his potential and the flashes of brilliance that we've seen so far. He could very well keep a team in the thick of the title hunt year in, year out; the Karl Malone of the new millenium.

9. Tracy McGrady

Should be higher on his talent alone, but I'm a little skeptical about his attitude. He seems like a player who would lose focus and start thinking about moving on after starting the season 0-3, rather than buckling down and getting competitive. He's an excellent offensive player, but I'm not sure he can share the ball if paired with an all-star calibre sidekick.

10. Jermaine O'Neal

One of the best young big men in the league, but I wouldn't take him above the other nine I've mentioned. It wouldn't be a terrible thing to have to build around him, though.

[Nick]

1. Kevin Garnett
2. Tim Duncan
3. Shaquille O'Neal
4. Kobe Bryant
5. Jermaine O'Neal
6. Jason Kidd
7. Amare Stoudemire
8. LeBron James
9. Tracy McGrady
10. Paul Pierce

[Jackal]

1. Tim Duncan
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Shaquille O'Neal
4. Kobe Bryant
5. Tracy McGrady
6. LeBron James
7. Amare Stoudemire
8. Jermaine O'Neal
9. Yao Ming
10. Jason Kidd

Duncan, Fundamentals = Shiznit.

Garnett, Great overall player, can run a whole team all alone, does it all including brining it up the floor.

Shaquille O'Neal, personal biasedness + his he's still somewhat dominating.

Kobe Bryant, he's got skills, just if he can handle losing is to be seen.

Tracy McGrady, see Kobe - the let's see if he can handle losing.

James, overall skills, he's already good, I'm afraid to think what he'll be like in the future.

Amare, going to be a very dominant player, he already is, he's going to be more dominant. When Shaq says you're the future of the NBA, I'll believe it. + What a dunk over the Kandi man, I still don't believe that one.

Jermaine, he's down so low because of his shot selection, his fade-aways really piss me off, but because Indy kept winning, no one really noticed his %.

Yao Ming, I think he's too soft, untill he shows me otherwise, he'll remain down here.

Jason Kidd, he's aging but he's still a great player.

[Fresh8]

1. Kevin Garnett
He's young and he does everything. A versitile 7 foot guy is hard to find and he can do everything. Definitly the place to start!

2. Tim Duncan
Two time MVP... two rings... second only to KG

3. Shaquille O'neal
Sure, he's lost his hops and athleticism and maybe his ferocity...he doesn't dunk like he did in his Orlando days, but Shaq showed his domination in the Finals. Still age is a problem...

4. Yao Ming
Young, talented and TALL! 7'5" guys who have soft hands are rare indeed. If only he could develop a little bit more of an attitude- he'd be perfect. Watch out for Yao to take Shaq's crown in 2 or 3 seasons!

5. Kobe Bryant
This is not bias! I repeat...this is not bias! As I must have said before, Kobe is like MJ more than anyone else. The differences...MJ had a post-up game and played off the ball...Kobe plays on the ball and has better handles also lacks MJ's hops...but both have that killer instinct that wins games... (He's only 26...MJ did what Kobe did at that age...)

6. Jason Kidd
The best point guard in the League...makes his teammates better but his jumpshot needs work...who needs his jumper if he gets his teammates open anyway? He's a walking triple double

7. Lebron James
I have to admit...he lived up to the hype and he's gonna be awesome if he keeps improving. I put him above Tracy Mcgrady only because I see Bron more able to get a triple double every night...but you can argue about that

8. Tracy Mcgrady
One of the few 30+ point clubbers and their rare. Tracy can score every night...unlucky for him he plays for Orlando...but you could say he should be making his teammates better...

9. Amare Stoudamire
He's got a bright future ahead of him- that's all I got to say!

10. Carmelo Anthony
I'm not sure if he belongs here...but I do believe he can lead a team better than Jermaine O'neal...

[hmm]

.

[twolvezfanfoever]

1.KG of course-he should be #1 on everybody's list
2.T-Mac
3.Lebron
4.Carmelo
5.Mashburn
6.Ray Allen
7.Shaq



100.Kobe

[Amphatoast]

1.KG of course-he should be #1 on everybody's list
2.T-Mac
3.Lebron
4.Carmelo
5.Mashburn
6.Ray Allen
7.Shaq



100.Kobe

Mashburn > Duncan?

[twolvezfanfoever]

I like Jamal Mashburn.Thats my boi when he healthy.I dont like TD.Ill make him #11 just for you

[fgrep15]

Yea except Mashburn is done really and could never really carry a team, did goo with the Hornets that one year when Baron was injured a lot, but he's old and not improving, on a very steep decline, that franchise would have to move after 2 years.

[twolvezfanfoever]

Alright then,well Im talkin bout Jamal from awhile ago.Excuse me everybody for not choosin TD or anybody else i dont like!!!!

[Jackal]

Alright then,well Im talkin bout Jamal from awhile ago.

If you were building a franchise from scrap and could pick any player in the league today who would you pick? consider age and other such factors.

You not putting TD in your list, makes you lose lots of credibility.

[twolvezfanfoever]

Ay,o well.I put him at #11 for everybody.You just cant see it

[twolvezfanfoever]

To make everybody happy,im gonna do my list over

1.KG
2.T-Mac
3.Lebron
4.Melo
5.Ray Allen
6.Shaq
7.J Mash
8.Zach Randolph
9.Michael Redd
10.Paul Pierce
11.AI (if he comes to practice
12.Peja
13.TD
14.GP and the Mailman (just a joke)

[fgrep15]

People won't be happy till Mashburn isn't in there lol, and people also wont like Peja being above TD lol.

[twolvezfanfoever]

Im sorry man,I cant help you with that.THats my opinion.Even if it aint the truth for everybody else.I rather have Earl Boydkins than TD.I hate TD.KG should be 2 time MVP,not him.lol.I put him on the list.Aint that good enough.That what counts man.Im a diehard T'Wolves fan so its gonna be certain people that wont ever make my list.Like Kobe,you dont see him at all.

[Jackal]

Ehehe, yeah man, choose whoever you want over TD, it's your team and you have the option to choose whoever you want. But most of us want to actually win, thus that's why we chose to pick Duncan higher than the likes of AI, Peja & the rest of folks who are above him.

Be a fan of Garnett, nobody is telling you not to, just don't take away credit from Duncan.

[twolvezfanfoever]

I appreciate your comments.But I wouldn't need TD on my team. Detroit didnt need a superstar.

[Jackal]

(Y), As I said mate, it's all good.

I bet if Detroit could, they would pick TD since he's not just your average superstar.

[twolvezfanfoever]

I can admit that he's one of the 5 best (KG#1 of course),but other than that, F him.Maybe if he started to smile more,Ill like him.lol

[matmat8]

1.TD
2.KG
3.Lebron
4.Kobe
5.Shaq (if i want to win quickly)
6.Yao
7.Kidd
8.T-Mac
9.JO
10.Pierce

[.]

1-Tim Duncan
2-Kevin Garnett
3-Kobe Bryant
4-LeBron James
5-Jermaine O´Neal
6-Amare Stoudemire
7-Shaquille O´Neal
8-Jason Kidd
9-Carmello Anthony
10-Yao Ming

[twolvezfanfoever]

how do you 2 choose TD first!!!