I will be making every NBA teams all time starting 5. This means I pick the best players from each position, on each NBA team. For example, the 76ers would have PG: Ben Simmons SG: Allen Iverson SF: Julius Irving PF: Moses Malone C: Wilt Chamberlin. Today we will be doing the Western Conference. Feel free to debate in the comments!
Jazz:
PG: John Stockton SG: Donovan Mitchell SF: Gordon Hayward PF: Karl Malone C: Rudy Gobert
John Stockton was chosen for the point guard position for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that he is the all-time leader in steals with 3265.He is also #1 all time in assists with 15,806. Donovan Mitchell was picked at shooting guard because he is a former dunk contest winner and a two-time all star. Donovan Mitchell has a career average of 23.4 points per game. He is very young, so I can only imagine what he will do once he ages and begins to enter his prime. Gordon Hayward might be a shocker at the small forward position, but I think he was very underrated during his time with Utah. He averaged 19.7 points per game and shot 47.1 percent from the field in his best season.He was even an all star one year. Karl Malone needs no explanation, but I will still give him one. He is number 2 all time in points. He is over guys like Wilt, Jordan, and Lebron! I chose Rudy Gobert for center because he is a 3 time defensive player of the year. The only players to win three or more defensive player of the year awards are Dwight Howard, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo.
Suns:
PG: Steve Nash SG: Devin Booker SF: Shawn Marion PF: Charles Barkley C: Amar'e Stoudemire
I chose Steve Nash at the point guard position because he won back-to-back MVPS. The only people to do that were Giannis, Stephen Curry, Lebron James, Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlin, and Bill Russell. That is quite the list to be on because of all of those legends. I chose Devin Booker for shooting guard because he made the most points (70) since Kobe Bryant scored 81 against the Raptors. I chose Shawn Marion at small forward because he is a 4 time all star and he made the all rookie team. Charles Barkley was a no brainer at the power forward position. He was in the 1992 Olympics and he played for, "The Dream Team." The "Dream Team" had people like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and John Stockton. At the center position, we have Amar'e Stoudemire. He won rookie of the year.
Nuggets
PG: Allen Iverson SG: David Thompson SF: Alex English PF: Carmelo Anthony C: Nikola Jokic
Alex English is a very skilled scorer. He averaged 25 or more points for 8 straight seasons with Denver. Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to the conference finals where they faced the Lakers in 2009. Nikola Jokic is at center for them because he won the 2021 NBA MVP and he is one of the best passing big men of all time. Then, we have Allen Iverson and David Thompson to finish the squad.
Clippers:
PG: Chris Paul SG: Paul George SF: Kawhi Leonard PF: Blake Griffin C: Deandre Jordan
Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Deandre Jordan are part of the Lob City Clippers. They are arguably the greatest Clippers team ever assembled. Add that to Kawhi, who has had 2 all star appearances with the Clippers, and Paul George, who led the team to their first conference finals.
Mavericks:
PG: Jason Kidd SG: Jason Terry SF: Luka Doncic PF: Dirk Norwitzki C: Shawn Bradley
Jason Kidd, Dirk Norwitzki, and Jason Terry were all key parts of the 2011 Mavericks Championship, where they faced the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat had a big 3 of Lebron, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade! To defeat that team is a huge accomplishment. You also have Shawn Bradley, who was the block champion in his first year with the Mavericks. Luka Doncic is a beast. He has played 3 seasons and he has 2 all star appearances, along with rookie of the year.
Blazers:
PG: Damian Lillard SG: Clyde Drexler SF: Nic Batum PF: Lamarcus Aldridge C: Bill Walton
Damian Lillard is one of the best shooters in the NBA today and has had 2 famous buzzer beaters, and both of them were to win a series. Clyde is the best blazer. No debate there. Nic Batum had a great two years with the Blazers, and his size, athleticism, and skill were definitely a key part of that. Bill Walton won a championship with the Blazers and won the finals MVP. Lamarcus is a former all star and a very good player.
Lakers:
PG: Magic Johnson SG: Kobe Bryant SF: Lebron James PF: Pau Gasol C: Kareem
Magic Johnson and Kareem are one of the top 3 duos of all time, and they won multiple championships with each other. Kobe Bryant is the greatest Lakers player of all time. He scored 81 points against the Raptors in 2006. LeBron James has already won a championship and has been named Finals MVP. He is also a two time all-star, with both of them being the captain's spot. You could argue Anthony Davis over Gasol, but Davis did not show much last year because of injuries.
Warriors:
PG: Stephen Curry SG: Klay Thompson SF: Kevin Durant PF: Draymond Green C: Wilt Chamberlin
Steph, Klay, and Draymond were part of the 73-9 Warriors. Steph is the greatest shooter alive, Klay holds the record for most 3s in a game with 14, and Draymond is a former defensive player of the year. Kevin Durant won two championships with the Warriors and he won all the finals MVPs. Wilt Chamberlin has the most points scored with 100!
Grizzlies:
PG: Mike Conley, SG: Mike Miller SF: Zach Randolph PF: Pau Gasol C: Marc Gasol
We already saw Conley and Marc play together, and they were a pretty good playoff team. Both the Gasol brothers being on the same team could help a lot, considering they were both all-stars.
Spurs:
PG: Tony Park SG: Manu Ginobli SF: Kawhi Leonard PF: Tim Duncan C: David Robinson
These players are very underrated because they are not big names like Kobe, Lebron, or Wilt, but they embraced their roles during the Spurs dynasty. Manu Ginobli is the best sixth man. He won the sixth man of the year award. Kawhi Leonard has two defensive player of the year awards and is widely regarded as one of the top ten defenders of all time!
Pelicans:
PG: Chris Paul SG: Jrue Holiday SF: Peja Stojaković PF: Anthony Davis C: Demarcus Cousins
The Pelicans are a very underrated team. Chris Paul was really good in his run there, Jrue has always been a top defensive guard with the Pelicans, Peja scored 92.9 percent from the free throw line one year. Anthony Davis was in his prime, and put up 25 and 11 in his all star year with the Pelicans.
Kings:
PG: Oscar Robertson SG: Mitch Richmond SF: Peja Stojaković PF: Chris Webber C: Demarcus Cousins
Oscar Robertson was the first NBA player to average a triple double, Mitch Ritchmond won the All Star MVP with the Kings, Chris Webber was recently inducted into the HOF, and Demarcus was the best center in the league when he was with the Kings. Then having Peja Stojakovic to finish the team is an absolute win.
Timberwolves:
PG: Derrick Rose SG: Andrew Wiggins SF: Kevin Garnett PF: Kevin Love C: Karl Anthony Towns
Derrick Rose might sound crazy at first, but he scored a career high 50 points with the Wolves. Andrew Wiggins won rookie of the year, Kevin Garnett is a former MVP, Kevin Love averaged 15.2 rebounds per game one year, and Karl Anthony Towns is a 2-time all star.
Thunder:
PG: Russel Westbrook SG: Ray Allen SF: Paul George PF: Kevin Durant C: Jack Sikma
Russell Westbrook is only the second player in NBA history to average a triple double, Ray Allen averaged 26.4 points in his best season with the Thunder, Paul George was an NBA MVP finalist with the Thunder, Kevin Durant nearly beat the 73-9 Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, and Jack was a seven-time all-star and hall of famer.
Rockets:
PG: James Harden SG: Tracy Mcgrady SF: Clyde Drexler PF: Moses Malone C: Hakeem Olajuwon
James Harden was a 3 time scoring champion with the Rockets, Tracy scored 11 points in 33 seconds, Clyde won a championship with the Rockets, Moses Malone averaged 31.1 points in one year with the Rockets, and Hakeem is one of three people who won an MVP and a Defensive Player of the Year.
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