What's your All-Time Starting 5?

[wwharton]

Re: What's your All-Time Starting 5?

Realistically if you just stuck that team on the court right now Frye being able to space the floor would likely be the more strategic fit. But Frye definitely wouldn't make the Magic's all time roster, even if it was extended to a 13 man squad.

I would pick Dwight because most of these teams will have size and a post scoring skill set. Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Dirk, KG, McHale, Elvin Hayes, Pettit, Bosh, Gasol, J O'Neal, either Zo/Bosh next to Shaq in Miami, Rockets would likely start a combo of Hakeem/Sampson/Yao/Malone, Golden State would likely start Thurmond next to Wilt, Portland Lucas/Aldridge/Wallace, Reed or Oakley next to Ewing.. Dwight gives them the best chance to defend those guys with size, and battle the physical rebound types like Rodman, Oak, etc.

Obviously you might start someone else if someone like Dirk pulls him out and hurts him, or someone like Kemp/Blake is a little too quick. But in most of these matchups against a traditional two-big lineup he gives the Magic a bigger benefit than starting Shard Lewis or Horace Grant does.

Offensively I wouldn't even worry about it. Shaq will get all the touches as already mentioned, and draw the bigger/stronger defender. Dwight is the best offensive rebounder they've had, finishes the lobs as well as any player they've had, he's extremely efficient, and even at his peak only attempted about 12 shots a night anyways.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dwight doesn't finish lobs as well as Shaq lol (nitpicking).

Yeah, I honestly don't know if the benefit on defense (and if we're talking real minutes each player can play... but we probably aren't if we're only carrying 6 players) make up for the issues on offense. But the discussion turned into Dwight being the PF and I don't really see anything benefiting that. If we're saying he should be there because of defensive impact then it doesn't matter on offense. Put Shaq at the floor because he's more versatile offensively.

[wwharton]

Re: What's your All-Time Starting 5?

As far as solely speaking on the SG spot I actually think Sprewell is up there with those guys. He's in the conversation, aside from his behavior lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fair points by both of you guys.

I feel like Sprewell should be higher on one of these teams too... couldn't decide between GS or MIN. But I'd have to go back to what he was doing specifically. I agree with you on Mitch, and would want to look closer at what Spre was doing in GS specifically too.

[ojandpizza]

Re: What's your All-Time Starting 5?

I guess I just don't see him hurting them offensively any like you do. The entire 90's decade was stocked full of teams who started two big men with one of them offering far less offensively than Dwight does.

He's proven he doesn't need tons of touches, and at his best was getting you 20 a night on 10-11 shots simply from being too big, strong, and athletic for players to handle at the basket. I actually think that's magnified greatly with players having to help/double on Shaq and Penny setting him up instead of Jameer.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ojandpizza]

Re: What's your All-Time Starting 5?

Put Shaq at the floor because he's more versatile offensively.

He's more versatile, but I'm not sure what you label them offensively really matters honestly. Shaq will get all the isolated post touches and the other teams bigger/stronger player will have to guard him. So he will be typically posting with the other teams center on him and defending centers himself at the other by default.

Even if Howard's main role was a trash man, or crashing and cutting like a Tristian Thompson type he's going to be a handful to stop and keep off the rim with the other teams best big stuck on Shaq.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk