June 4, 2006 -- Jordan: Ew not da man Patrick sags on Air's all-era team Patrick Ewing can't catch a break with old nemesis Michael Jordan. The Bulls legend, who repeatedly denied the Knick center a ring while capturing six of his own, tells SLAM magazine that Hakeem Olajuwon gets the edge in the pivot on the starting five Dream Team - including himself at shooting guard - from his era. His Airness selected Magic Johnson at the point, split small forward between Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen and Larry Bird, and chose UNC teammate James Worthy over Kevin McHale and Karl Malone at the four.And at center: "I'd go with Olajuwon, that's without a doubt," Jordan said. "I mean, I never saw Jabbar in his prime, and I love Patrick, but I would have to say the versatility of where the game was going, Olajuwon was by far the best at the center position. And even Shaq, he's the dominant center of today, but if you ask him back when he first came in, if he doesn't say Olajuwon, then he's got a little amnesia." The anniversary issue - SLAM's 100th - will be on newsstands later this week.Courtesy of http://www.nypost.com/sports/64670.htm
He's got the right idea in every position except for both forward positions. Makes you wonder if he is biased, which he obviously is. Worthy over Karl Malone, the NBA's second leading scorer all time? Although Pippen was good, Bird is the better player among the two.
Why would he pick Bird over Scottie? He played with Scottie throughout his whole career while he played against Bird most of his career. Thats a good choice by Jordan there, I'm not sure about Worthy over Karl though.
I wouldn't say Scottie is better than Larry, however he is a close comparison. Also this is very interesting dream team but why wouldn't he put Wilt over Olajuwon.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jun 14 2006, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Also this is very interesting dream team but why wouldn't he put Wilt over Olajuwon.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ Jun 14 2006, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>"I'd go with Olajuwon, that's without a doubt," Jordan said. "I mean, I never saw Jabbar in his prime, and I love Patrick, but I would have to say the versatility of where the game was going, Olajuwon was by far the best at the center position. And even Shaq, he's the dominant center of today, but if you ask him back when he first came in, if he doesn't say Olajuwon, then he's got a little amnesia."</div>He never got the chance to play Wilt, let alone in his prime thats why he didn't pick Jabbar either. I thought Hakeem was a good choice and it also makes me think he picked him because they were in the same draft class. Jordan is a smart guy and this is HIS team, meaning he got the chance to play with these players.
Exactly, he is picking the players to play around him, and of course he is going to pick Pippen and Worthy. He played with most of these guys on the various teams he was on, so Jordan would know who he works the best with and who he doesn't work well with.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hoopskidd5 @ Jun 14 2006, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would say magic, mj, bird, malone, olajuwan..</div>Same hereJust to fill in the rest of the team, here's my takehil Jackson as coach.BenchG John StocktonSG Joe DumarsSF Larry Bird PF Karl MaloneC Shaquille O'nealPG Isiah ThomasC Patrick Ewing
I have never really seen much of Hakeem, so I'm going to argue Shaq (although just looking at the 2, and taking Shaq's physical dominance and size compared to Hakeem's slim body, Shaq could eat Hakeem for a meal). Worthy over Malone and Barkley?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I have never really seen much of Hakeem, so I'm going to argue Shaq (although just looking at the 2, and taking Shaq's physical dominance and size compared to Hakeem's slim body, Shaq could eat Hakeem for a meal).</div>No. Hakeem is one of the strongest guys in the league...even according to Shaq. At the very least, he's a lot better than a "meal".
Of course MJ is going to stick with Worth and Pippen, his former teammates. That's jus what yuo do. Worthy wasn't close to the player Malone was, and Pippen wasn't Larry Bird. However, besides those two choices, I agree!
