NBA All-time teams (Phoenix Suns/Milwaukee Bucks)

[alfdogg]

alkeiper was doing this with the MLB franchises recently, so I thought I'd do it with the NBA. I had discussed this previously in the chat, but was undecided whether to go with 12-man or 15-man rosters. Ultimately I decided on 12, which I think makes for better debates as to who maybe should have got on over others. I'm trying to stay as true to position as I can and be as fair to many eras as I can. I will typically favor peak and impact over longevity, with some exceptions as you'll see on my first team. I will be going in order from lowest all-time winning percentage to highest. I'm not going to promise a team every day but I'll do my best. First team coming shortly.

 

[alfdogg]

Minnesota Timberwolves est. 1989
NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 0
Best finish: West Finals, 2004 (lost 4-2 to Los Angeles Lakers)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Kevin Garnett (19,201)
Rebounding: Kevin Garnett (10,718)
Assists: Kevin Garnett (4,216)
Steals: Kevin Garnett (1,315)
Blocks: Kevin Garnett (1,590)
3-point FG: Karl Anthony-Towns (629)

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Karl Anthony-Towns
PF: Kevin Garnett
SF: Wally Szczerbiak
SG: Isaiah Rider
PG: Stephon Marbury

Bench:
Kevin Love
Ricky Rubio
Andrew Wiggins
Al Jefferson
Tom Gugliotta
Sam Cassell
Doug West

Honorable mentions: Christian Laettner, Tony Campbell, Terrell Brandon

Rubio ranks highly in counting stats, but the Wolves were cellar-dwellers for much of his time there, which is why I gave the nod to Marbury as the starter, same with Szczerbiak over Wiggins. I wanted to recognize the one brief period of success the franchise has had. Slim pickings at SG, but Rider put up solid numbers and is one of the first names people think of when thinking of the pre-KG era Wolves. I originally had Campbell as his backup, but ended up giving it to Doug West, mostly out of sympathy, as an original Timberwolf who suffered through every single shitty pre-KG season in Minnesota.

 

[alfdogg]

The next three teams record-wise are the Clippers, Grizzlies and Nets, who are all still in the playoffs. I will wait until they are done to make those rosters, as depending on their success, it could very well change my stance on some guys for a team like this.

The next team is the Charlotte Hornets. The franchise was given back the original Charlotte Hornets history along with the nickname in 2014, so all NBA basketball that's been played in Charlotte falls under this history. Roster coming shortly.

 

[alfdogg]

Charlotte Hornets est. 1988 (1988-2002), Charlotte Bobcats (2004-2014), Charlotte Hornets (2014-present)
NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 0
Best finish: East Semis, 2001 (lost 4-3 to Milwaukee Bucks)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Kemba Walker (12,009)
Rebounding: Emeka Okafor (3,516)
Assists: Muggsy Bogues (5,557)
Steals: Muggsy Bogues (1,067)
Blocks: Alonzo Mourning (684)
3-point FG: Kemba Walker (1,283)

Charlotte Hornets All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Alonzo Mourning
PF: Larry Johnson
SF: Gerald Wallace
SG: Dell Curry
PG: Kemba Walker

Bench:
Muggsy Bogues
Emeka Okafor
Glen Rice
Anthony Mason
David Wesley
Baron Davis
Nicolas Batum

Honorable mentions: Raymond Felton, Rex Chapman, Kendall Gill

Writeup later

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Fuck what the "official" records say: the Hornets and Bobcats were not the same franchise. Gerald Wallace never played for the Charlotte Hornets.

 

[alkeiper]

I run into this. Sometimes it feels more natural to do an "All-Washington" team than a Senators/Twins and Expos/Nationals team. Did Warren Spahn EVER pitch in Atlanta?

 

[alfdogg]

I'm thinking what I may do is finish the franchises as I originally planned and then maybe do some variations later.

Working on all-time Grizzlies team

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

If Bryant Reeves is on that team I riot

 

[alfdogg]

Vancouver Grizzlies est. 1995 (1995-2001), Memphis Grizzlies (2001-present)

NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 0
Best Finish: West Finals, 2013 (lost 4-0 to San Antonio Spurs)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Mike Conley (11,733)
Rebounding: Marc Gasol (5,942)
Assists: Mike Conley (4,509)
Steals: Mike Conley (1,161)
Blocks: Marc Gasol (1,135)
3-point FG: Mike Conley (1,086)

Memphis Grizzlies All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Marc Gasol
PF: Zach Randolph
SF: Rudy Gay
SG: Tony Allen
PG: Mike Conley

Bench:
Pau Gasol
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Jason Williams
Mike Miller
O.J. Mayo
Ja Morant
Bryant Reeves (just for you @cobainwasmurdered)

Honorable mentions: Mike Bibby, Shane Battier, Michael Dickerson

Slim pickings for this team, to the point where even in just two years Ja Morant probably deserved to make it. The only one I really struggled with was starting Pau or Z-Bo at PF. But I feel like when people think the Grizzlies, they think Grit 'n' Grind, which Randolph and Tony Allen were at the forefront of.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

Next time I see you in chat (which never happens anymore imma get you,

 

[MFer]

I wonder if the Grizzlies will be the only case where the all-time starters were actually a real starting lineup.

 

[King Kamala]

I’m kind of surprised any Vancouver era Grizzlies made it. Haven’t looked it up but assuming that had to be one of the worst 5 or 6 season stretches in NBA history

 

[alfdogg]

Chicago Packers est. 1961 (1961-62), Chicago Zephyrs (1962-63), Baltimore Bullets (1963-73) - Capital Bullets (1973-74), Washington Bullets (1974-1997), Washington Wizards (1997-present)

NBA titles: 1 (1978)
NBA Finals appearances: 4 (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Elvin Hayes (15,551)
Rebounding: Wes Unseld (13,769)
Assists: John Wall (5,282)
Steals: John Wall (976)
Blocks: Elvin Hayes (1,558)
3-point FG: Bradley Beal (1,371)

Washington Wizards All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Wes Unseld
PF: Elvin Hayes
SF: Antawn Jamison
SG: Bradley Beal
PG: John Wall

Reserves:
Walt Bellamy
Earl Monroe
Phil Chenier
Gilbert Arenas
Juwan Howard
Chris Webber
Bernard King

Honorable mentions: Greg Ballard, Jeff Malone, Rod Strickland

 

[alfdogg]

Rochester Royals est. 1948 (1948-57), Cincinnati Royals (1957-72), Kansas City-Omaha Kings (1972-75), Kansas City Kings (1975-85), Sacramento Kings (1985-present)

NBA titles: 1 (1951)
NBA Finals appearances: 1 (1951)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Oscar Robertson (22,009)
Rebounding: Sam Lacey (9,353)
Assists: Oscar Robertson (7,731)
Steals: Sam Lacey (950)
Blocks: Sam Lacey (1,098)
3-point FG: Peja Stojakovic (1,070) (current King Buddy Hield has 1,066)

Sacramento Kings All-Time Roster

Starting lineup:

C: DeMarcus Cousins
PF: Chris Webber
SF: Jack Twyman
SG: Mitch Richmond
PG: Oscar Robertson

Reserves:
Sam Lacey
Jerry Lucas
Tiny Archibald
Peja Stojakovic
Reggie Theus
Mike Bibby
Vlade Divac

Honorable mentions: Otis Birdsong, Eddie Johnson, Doug Christie

This was the first team where I had to make some real tough decisions. For example, as you see Sam Lacey holds a few of the team's all-time records, but in 11 seasons he peaked at just over 14 ppg, only shot over 50% once as a center and made just one All-star team. That's why I sided with Cousins, much more impressive numbers at his peak even if the team success wasn't there. I literally switched to Jack Twyman as a starter as I was typing this sentence. 19 ppg over an 11-year career all with the same franchise with a peak of 31.2 ppg. You have to reward that, regardless of what you think of that era.

 

[Broward83]

Looking forward to Houston and if Clyde makes the team due to the 94-95 run.

 

[alfdogg]

Cleveland Cavaliers est. 1970

NBA titles: 1 (2016)
NBA Finals appearances: 5 (2007, 2015-18)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: LeBron James (23,119)
Rebounding: LeBron James (6,190)
Assists: LeBron James (6,228)
Steals: LeBron James (1,376)
Blocks: Zydrunas Ilgsuskas (1,269)
3-point FG: LeBron James (1,251)

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Brad Daugherty
PF: Larry Nance
SF: LeBron James
SG: Austin Carr
PG: Kyrie Irving

Reserves:
Mark Price
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Kevin Love
Terrell Brandon
Campy Russell
Mike Mitchell
Ron Harper

Honorable mentions: World B. Free, Hot Rod Williams, Danny Ferry

Three tough decisions to make in the starting lineup here. Ilgauskas has that longevity and is one of the most beloved Cavs ever, but Daugherty at his peak was simply a much better player. If injuries didn't stop him I think he is a possible HOFer. Having said that, I guess I kinda contradicted myself putting Nance in as opposed to Kevin Love. The gap there is not as wide, and I thought Nance deserved credit for his defensive presence as well as never truly ending up washed as Love is starting to look, maintaining solid numbers all the way up until his retirement. And I am a big Mark Price fan, but...Kyrie hit the shot that brought a title back to Cleveland. As much I think that he's largely lived off of that and that it's caused people to rate him higher than he should be, for this team, I couldn't not make him the starter.

 

[alfdogg]

New Orleans Hornets est. 2002 (2002-05, 2007-13), New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2005-07), New Orleans Pelicans (2013-present)

NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 0
Best finish: West Semis, 2008 (lost 4-3 to San Antonio Spurs)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Anthony Davis (11,059)
Rebounding: Anthony Davis (4,906)
Assists: Chris Paul (4,228)
Steals: Chris Paul (1,010)
Blocks: Anthony Davis (1,121)
3-point FG: Jrue Holiday (628)

New Orleans Pelicans All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Tyson Chandler
PF: Anthony Davis
SF: Brandon Ingram
SG: Jrue Holiday
PG: Chris Paul

Reserves:
David West
Baron Davis
Jamal Mashburn
Zion Williamson
Eric Gordon
Tyreke Evans
Jamaal Magloire

I really hope you guys appreciate what I do for you

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

New Orleans Hornets est. 2002 (2002-05, 2007-13), New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2005-07), New Orleans Pelicans (2013-present)

Bullshit.

 

[alfdogg]

Orlando Magic est. 1989

NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 2 (1995, 2009)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Dwight Howard (11,435)
Rebounding: Dwight Howard (8,072)
Assists: Jameer Nelson (3,501)
Steals: Nick Anderson (1,004)
Blocks: Dwight Howard (1,344)
3-point FG: Dennis Scott (981)

Orlando Magic All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Dwight Howard
PF: Horace Grant
SF: Dennis Scott
SG: Tracy McGrady
PG: Penny Hardaway

Reserves:
Shaquille O'Neal
Nikola Vucevic
Nick Anderson
Jameer Nelson
Scott Skiles
Hedo Turkoglu
Aaron Gordon

Honorable mentions: Evan Fournier, Rashard Lewis, Darrell Armstrong

Wanted to go with Shaq as the center here, but with Dwight's body of work for the franchise, I couldn't really justify it.

 

[alfdogg]

Toronto Raptors est. 1995

NBA titles: 1 (2019)
NBA Finals appearances: 1 (2019)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: DeMar DeRozan (13,296)
Rebounding: Chris Bosh (4,776)
Assists: Kyle Lowry (4,277)
Steals: Kyle Lowry (873)
Blocks: Chris Bosh (600)
3-point FG: Kyle Lowry (1,518)

Toronto Raptors All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Jonas Valanciunas
PF: Chris Bosh
SF: Vince Carter
SG: DeMar DeRozan
PG: Kyle Lowry

Reserves:
Kawhi Leonard
Damon Stoudamire
Pascal Siakam
Morris Peterson
Jose Calderon
Antonio Davis
Fred VanVleet

Honorable mentions: Doug Christie, Andrea Bargnani, Serge Ibaka

 

[alfdogg]

Fort Wayne Pistons est. 1948 (1948-57), Detroit Pistons (1957-present)

NBA titles: 3 (1989-90, 2004)
NBA Finals appearances: 7 (1955-56, 1988-90, 2004-05)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Isiah Thomas (18,822)
Rebounding: Bill Laimbeer (9,430)
Assists: Isiah Thomas (9,061)
Steals: Isiah Thomas (1,861)
Blocks: Ben Wallace (1,486)
3-point FG: Joe Dumars (990)

Detroit Pistons All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Bob Lanier
PF: Dennis Rodman
SF: Grant Hill
SG: Joe Dumars
PG: Isiah Thomas

Reserves:
Bill Laimbeer
Dave Bing
George Yardley
Ben Wallace
Rasheed Wallace
Chauncey Billups
Richard Hamilton

Honorable mentions: Andre Drummond, Adrian Dantley, Tayshaun Prince

Pretty easy considering that the franchise has been around basically since the start of the league. The last spot came down to four guys; I went with Yardley largely for historical reasons. He was the best player on the two teams that went to the Finals in the early days, and in 1958, he was also the first player ever to have a 2,000 point season.

 

[MFer]

Lanier over Big Ben, very interesting....I don't hate it though! Locally, there's hardly ever any talk about the pre-Isiah Pistons, even from the oldheads. The Bing/Lanier teams didn't win anything of consequence, but they still had some great players.

 

[alfdogg]

Philadelphia Warriors est. 1946 (1946-62), San Francisco Warriors (1962-71), Golden State Warriors (1971-present)

NBA titles: 6 (1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017-18)
NBA Finals appearances: 11 (1947-48, 1956, 1964, 1967, 1975, 2015-19)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Stephen Curry (18,434)
Rebounding: Nate Thurmond (12,771)
Assists: Stephen Curry (4,984)
Steals: Chris Mullin (1,360)
Blocks: Adonal Foyle (1,140)
3-point FG: Stephen Curry (2,832)

Golden State Warriors All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Wilt Chamberlain
PF: Draymond Green
SF: Rick Barry
SG: Klay Thompson
PG: Stephen Curry

Reserves:
Kevin Durant
Nate Thurmond
Chris Mullin
Paul Arizin
Tim Hardaway
Latrell Sprewell
Baron Davis

Honorable mentions: Mitch Richmond, Purvis Short, Neil Johnston

Starters were easy, but a lot of options with the reserves. Last choice came down to Arizin or Mitch, and I decided to go ahead and throw a bone to the early era teams.

 

[alfdogg]

Doing the Nets next. FYI the ABA period will not be looked at for those four teams.

 

[alfdogg]

New York Nets est. 1976 (1976-77), New Jersey Nets (1977-2012), Brooklyn Nets (2012-present)

NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 2 (2002-03)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Brook Lopez (10,444)
Rebounding: Buck Williams (7,576)
Assists: Jason Kidd (4,620)
Steals: Jason Kidd (950)
Blocks: Brook Lopez (972)
3-point FG: Jason Kidd (813)

Brooklyn Nets All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Brook Lopez
PF: Buck Williams
SF: Richard Jefferson
SG: Vince Carter
PG: Jason Kidd

Reserves:
Kevin Durant
Derrick Coleman
Drazen Petrovic
Kenny Anderson
Kenyon Martin
Michael Ray Richardson
Jayson Williams

Honorable mentions: Otis Birdsong, John Williamson, Bernard King

 

[Mickey Massuco]

vince is a starter for two teams, i wonder how many other players will reach that feat.

 

[alfdogg]

New York Knicks est. 1946

NBA titles: 2 (1970, 1973)
NBA Finals appearances: 8 (1951-53, 1970, 1972-73, 1994, 1999)

All-time leaders:
Scoring: Patrick Ewing (23,665)
Rebounding: Patrick Ewing (10,759)
Assists: Walt Frazier (4,791)
Steals: Patrick Ewing (1,061)
Blocks: Patrick Ewing (2,758)
3-point FG: John Starks (982)

New York Knicks All-Time Roster

Starters:
C: Patrick Ewing
PF: Dave DeBusschere
SF: Carmelo Anthony
SG: Earl Monroe
PG: Walt Frazier

Reserves:
Willis Reed
Charles Oakley
Bernard King
Richie Guerin
Allan Houston
John Starks
Mark Jackson

Honorable mentions: Harry Gallatin, Willie Naulls, Michael Ray Richardson

 

[Brooklyn Zoo]

Honorable Honorable Mention Team:

PG: Carl Braun
SG: Dick Barnett
SF: Bill Bradley
PF: Larry Johnson
C: Jerry Lucas

Sixth Men: Anthony Mason, Latrell Sprewell

 

[Epic Springs]

Allan Houston deserves all the love in the world.

 

[alkeiper]

A bit of trivia. The second player to integrate the NBA was Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton. Power forward, played for three consecutive Finals teams with the Knicks. While touring for the Globetrotters he also played baseball in the summer, hitting .304 for the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the Eastern League in 1950. He was a good baseball player but a Hall of Famer in basketball.