OT Meyers Leonard all time starting five

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by BigGameDamian, May 23, 2020.

  1. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,599
    Likes Received:
    11,352
    Trophy Points:
    113
  2. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    Messages:
    30,059
    Likes Received:
    8,157
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    retired, while you work!
    Unimaginative list, from his snail-speed brain neurons.

    Brain: "Leg! Move 2 feet left now!"

    Leg: "I'm a-gittin there, boss."
     
    riverman likes this.
  3. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    5,503
    Likes Received:
    3,612
    Trophy Points:
    113
    He went with the easy picks, but good luck coming up with a starting 5 that beats that lineup.
     
  4. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2008
    Messages:
    31,952
    Likes Received:
    40,230
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I'd match them up with Pippen (at point, yes), Kawhi, Giannis, Garnett, and Wilt. Long, rangy defenders, willing passers, capable scorers.
     
    Minstrel likes this.
  5. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Messages:
    6,909
    Likes Received:
    6,780
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Steph Curry
    Ray Allen
    Kevin Durant
    Dirk Nowitzki
    Cliff Robinson

    Honestly believe this 5 would beat any of the others mentioned, 3 > 2. Coaches, players and the league didn't realize what an advantage 3's were until the last 15 years.

    Jordan would score 70% on his.shots but they'd give up 50% on threes and get blown out.

    I think it's stupid the game has changed to primarily a 3 point shootout. They should change the rules, extend the line farther back or such.
     
  6. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    26,226
    Likes Received:
    14,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    User Interface Designer
    Location:
    Hello darkness, my old friend
    That would be an interesting change. It would certainly cut down the number of threes, and it would make players like Curry and Lillard much more valuable--the few players who could knock down longer threes on good efficiency.
     
  7. Cheese22

    Cheese22 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2018
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    18
    PG-Pippen
    SG-Kobe
    SG-Jordan
    F-Giannis
    C-Tim Duncan
    The only question is would there be enough spotlight to fit those egos (Kobe/MJ) on the same team. This would probably be the best defensive 5 ever put together. Scoring points would be the last of your worries. No Lebron because he is too ball dominant and too much ego to fit with such a team. Kobe and Jordan may be too much together, Lebron and Jordan together...no way. Giannis, Pippen and Duncan because of defense, roles on this team, defense, rebounding and defense. Plus, I think they have just enough humility to fit next to MJ and Kobe and keep team harmony without getting swallowed up by their intensity. Give Phil Jackson a little time to figure out how to make these personalities work together and this is my starting 5.
    Honorable mention-Magic, Lebron, Shaq, Bill Russell, David Robinson (maybe the most underrated player of all time), Bill Walton (hate him because of his announcing but can't deny his ability in his prime) and Kevin Durant.
     
  8. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    26,226
    Likes Received:
    14,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    User Interface Designer
    Location:
    Hello darkness, my old friend
    Steph Curry
    Michael Jordan
    Kevin Durant
    Kevin Garnett
    Hakeem Olajuwon

    I'd be pretty interested in watching that group play. Curry is the only one of the four who doesn't provide length and athleticism on defense--but at this point, I think he's the most dangerous offensive weapon the game has seen. On a team where you just can't leave anyone else, how do you even guard him? If he still draws extra defenders (which isn't impossible--in the 2017 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers gave Durant several uncontested dunks on fast breaks in order to scramble to Curry behind the three-point line; I've never seen that before), Jordan, Durant, Garnett and Olajuwon feast almost without breaking a sweat.
     
  9. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    5,503
    Likes Received:
    3,612
    Trophy Points:
    113
    That team would be a nightmare defensively, but I feel like their offense would be inconsistent outside of Wilt. At least, compared to the Meyers team.

    A big part of the exercise is how does the theoretical game get officiated? If it's allowed to be '90s physical, the lanky advantage deteriorates.
     
  10. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Messages:
    6,909
    Likes Received:
    6,780
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Pippin
    Jordan
    Kawhi
    Garnett
    Hakeem

    This would be my pick for best defensive team of all time. Jordan was really a great defender and if he didn't have to carry the load offensively he may have been even better.
     

Share This Page