At halftime of the 2022 NBA All Star game, they formally celebrated the greatest 75 players (there was actually 76 due to a tie in the voting) from the NBA’s first 75 years.
It got me thinking, what is the greatest 12-man roster that can be assembled from those 76 legends?
This would be the greatest fantasy team of all. A team that, if all 12 players were magically in their prime, could potentially go 98-0 (82-0 in the regular season and 16-0 in the playoffs).
Without question, players have improved over time as the speed, strength, athleticism, height and three-point shooting ability have gone up. Therefore, with respect to the past legends of the game, this team will honour those advancements and have a more modern feel.
In selecting the team, I’ve factored in ESPN’s rankings and also considered the age of each player.
This team is built to win in 2022.
Notable omissions
Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson are all ranked inside the ESPN top 12, however had all retired by 1974.
No doubt these legends could have adapted comfortably to the NBA in 2022, however there would be a substantial adjustment period needed. They would no longer be athletic outliers like they each were in the 1960s, and all three had retired prior to the three-point line coming into existence. Besides, Chamberlain (51%) and Russell’s (56%) free-throw percentages don’t suggest they would have attempted many threes.
No doubt all would excel, but with the quality of options from more modern players, I couldn’t find a way to squeeze them in.
My roster
Stephen Curry
Point guard, ranked 16th on ESPN
The greatest shooter of all time, Curry has revolutionised the NBA with his three-point shooting.
Magic Johnson
Point guard/shooting guard, ranked fourth on ESPN
The greatest playmaker of all time, Magic will enable the offense to flow to perfection.
Michael Jordan
Shooting guard, ranked first on ESPN
The greatest player of all time, he will have to be a little more selfless than usual on this team, but his mentality will help them aim for perfection.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant
Shooting guard/small forward, ranked tenth on ESPN
Just when teams think they will be getting some respite as Jordan heads to the bench, on comes his heir apparent.
Kawhi Leonard
Small forward, ranked 33rd on ESPN
The epitome of the modern basketball player. Can do it all, plus can defend the opposition’s best player.
LeBron James
Small forward/power forward, ranked second on ESPN
His playmaking ability and brute strength will add another dimension.
Kevin Durant
Small Forward/power forward, ranked 12th on ESPN
The greatest three-level scorer of all time, when the shot clock is running down, give the ball to KD and get out of the way.
Larry Bird
Small forward/power forward, ranked seventh on ESPN
An unselfish star who can shoot the lights out, Bird would still be a sensation.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Power forward, ranked 18th on ESPN
His energy will give the opposition nightmares. Proved he belongs on this team in the 2021 playoffs.
Tim Duncan
Centre/power forward, ranked eighth on ESPN
Would be the perfect modern centre, as the NBA becomes more versatile. A fantastic leader.
Shaquille O’Neal
Centre, ranked 11th on ESPN
The most physically imposing player in history, prime Shaq has the athleticism to be a huge spark for this team.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Centre, ranked third on ESPN
The greatest big man of all time and with a sky-hook that works in any era.
I’m not going to pick a starting lineup as the debates of Magic vs Steph, Durant vs Duncan, and Duncan vs Kareem vs Shaq could go all day.
I will let Phil Jackson decide.
Ben
Guest
Lebron ranked 2nd and Larry Bird only 7th proves that espn has no idea.
Bell31
Roar Rookie
Nice article – I’m late to the party – I read it a few days ago and one thing that didn’t sit well with me was the choice of Leonard — I don’t disagree that he has a lot of the attributes of a classic modern day player, but there’s 4 forwards I’d pick ahead of him, consistent with the ESPN rankings too – Barkley, Baylor, KG, and possibly Erving. Given you’re looking more at modern day, I’d take KG over Kawai in your list or possibly Barkley, who could really run the floor.
ojp44
Guest
lots to debate, but Olajuwon is often overlooked in these sorts of teams. Retired 20 years ago in Top 10 all time in points, rebounds, blocks and steals (I know some of these stats werent tracked in Wilt / Russell's days) and still in top 10 for all other than rebounding (now 11th). Won two titles. 12 times picked in an all NBA team. But dont take it from me; here is MJ picking the Dream for his all time team. https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/michael-jordan-picks-rockets-olajuwon-for-his-all-time-team/
Peter85
Roar Rookie
Current v Retired (assuming peak powers, current rules) Current: Chris Paul Lebron James Kawhi Leonard Kevin Durant Giannis Antetokounmpo Steph Curry Klay Thompson James Harden Draymond Green Joel Embiid Trying to get the best players on the court in a switch everything style of defense. Can also put out the core of the Warriors super team and replace Iguadola with a better big wing. Embiid over Jokic for defensive reasons. Retired: Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Magic Johnson Larry Bird Tim Duncan John Stockton Dwayne Wade Scotty Pippen Dirk Nowitzki Shaquille O'Neal All the modern greats in the starting lineup and a bench that favours the 2000's players given the rules. The starting lineup is big enough to cover the big wings line-up of the current players and we know that post prime Duncan held his own against most of these players at their peak.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
You’re assuming there’d be a game winner to shoot
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Yes indeedy
astro
Roar Rookie
I think if any of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell or Oscar Robertson came into the game as young players today, all would dominate. Especially Russell. I also think if many of these greats played in today's game, Curry's title of 'best shooter ever' could be under threat. A good example is Steve Nash. Nash was an amazingly good shooter, but took 3 3pts a game...Curry averages 12 attempts this season. If Nash took 12 per game, he might well shoot at a higher % than Curry. Anyway, nice team...but I personally wouldn't have Kawhi or Giannis. Both are great, but I'll take Russell and Barkley instead...and maybe Dr J...and Moses...and West...ugh...
JGK
Roar Guru
PF … KG … better suited to the modern era with the range in his J … Kevin Garnett?
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
My starting five PG … CP3 … better playmaker than Steph, better shooter than Magic … SG … MJ … duh … SF … LBJ … never been a fan, but … PF … KG … better suited to the modern era with the range in his J … C … Wilt … Joel Embiid has shown traditional centres can still be effective in the modern game, and Wilt actually had an excellent jumper, albeit from closer range…. Bench … Steph … greatest shooter of all time … Kobe … greatest Laker of all time … Magic … has to be there, but would …need to improve his shooting … Dr J … see Magic … Bird … see MJ … Russell …. Greatest winner ever … Havlicek … my smoky, but Hondo is association royalty … Honourable mentions Pippen …. Greatest defender of all time … Kareem … single most unstoppable signature move … Olajuwon … footwork, balance, artistry, the Dream had it all … Stockton … one half of the greatest two man game ever … Malone … the other half … KD … my life in the line and I need someone to knock down a shot from anywhere inside 25 feet to save it, give it to KD and get outta the way … Timmy … the bank is open
JGK
Roar Guru
Obviously it's a bit unfair because you are taking the bench away from starting to their potential opponents. An All Time Jordan squad v LeBron squad, with alternating picks, would be interesting. Or US-born v non-US born squads (not sure which one Duncan would be in).
Rellum
Roar Guru
There is no way KD is taking the game winner with MJ and Bird on the team.
josh
Roar Rookie
The current All-Star format almost creates these fantasy lineups and the new scoring rules to encourage a winner, I think, has made the game so much better. The ending of this years All-Star game was great. When you have the Top 10 (available) players, going at it, brilliant.
JW
Guest
no room for Ben Simmons?
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
What a team that would be.