[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

This topic turned into a great debate today at work. Assuming all of these players are in their primes, which team would you choose to win a seven game series and why? 

Team A 

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Carmelo Anthony

Kevin Garnett

Dwight Howard

—

Team B

Magic Johnson

Michael Jordan

Dominique Wilkins

Charles Barkley

Hakeem Olajuwon

—

Team C

Chris Paul 

Dwyane Wade

Kevin Durant 

Tim Duncan

Shaquille O’Neal 

—

Team D

Isiah Thomas

Reggie Miller

Larry Bird

Karl Malone

Kareem Abdul-Jabar

[LlamaDramaParticipant]

 You made some intriguing teams but I would go with team b, but I like team a almost as much

[LlamaDramaParticipant]

 You made some intriguing teams but I would go with team b, but I like team a almost as much

[BennyWestsideParticipant]

 I think it would be team A. While they may not have Jordan, the others are lacking in shooters to stretch the defense. Team A has a bit of that, and they are the best defensive team hands down. I think that team D would be a bit of a nightmare though, because of their perimeter shooting and Kareem down low. They would be the dark horse

[BennyWestsideParticipant]

 I think it would be team A. While they may not have Jordan, the others are lacking in shooters to stretch the defense. Team A has a bit of that, and they are the best defensive team hands down. I think that team D would be a bit of a nightmare though, because of their perimeter shooting and Kareem down low. They would be the dark horse

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Depends on the era in which we’re playing. By that I mean are we talking about 80’s officiating or 2014 officiating. Either way it’s hard to turn down team C with Shaq’s prime being one of the most unstoppable of all times, but since I don’t believe KD has hit his prime yet it’s hard to say.

Jordan and the Dream, nuff said on the defensive end alone, but Magic and Barkley were never known as defensive stoppers and he team lacks shooting.

Give me team D I guess. Bird and Miller are spacing he floor for the most unstoppable post player of all time while Malone cleans up his mess and Thomas sets them all up.

Team A seemed to easy to go with at this point so I omitted it for now. No lay-ups against Dwight and KG in the paint. But it also seems like too much iso-ball.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Depends on the era in which we’re playing. By that I mean are we talking about 80’s officiating or 2014 officiating. Either way it’s hard to turn down team C with Shaq’s prime being one of the most unstoppable of all times, but since I don’t believe KD has hit his prime yet it’s hard to say.

Jordan and the Dream, nuff said on the defensive end alone, but Magic and Barkley were never known as defensive stoppers and he team lacks shooting.

Give me team D I guess. Bird and Miller are spacing he floor for the most unstoppable post player of all time while Malone cleans up his mess and Thomas sets them all up.

Team A seemed to easy to go with at this point so I omitted it for now. No lay-ups against Dwight and KG in the paint. But it also seems like too much iso-ball.

[BlueLacesParticipant]

 Team B. You have two of the top 5 players of all time, 2 of the best players to never win a ring and one of the most dominant and underrated centers of all time.  I think you did a good job balancing them out. Every team has qualities and players I like and think would play well together. 

[BlueLacesParticipant]

 Team B. You have two of the top 5 players of all time, 2 of the best players to never win a ring and one of the most dominant and underrated centers of all time.  I think you did a good job balancing them out. Every team has qualities and players I like and think would play well together. 

[Kevin6CDParticipant]

B, A, C, D.  Tempting to take Team A first, but I think Barkley and Olajuwon is the deciding factor.  If Team A were to replace Dwight with Shaq, it’s a whole new discussion.  

[Kevin6CDParticipant]

B, A, C, D.  Tempting to take Team A first, but I think Barkley and Olajuwon is the deciding factor.  If Team A were to replace Dwight with Shaq, it’s a whole new discussion.  

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 I will take Team D.

It has the two players who scored the most ever points.

It has two of the best ever outside shooters to spread the floor.

The point guard, he would work, but Stockton would be better and more fitting as half of Stockton to Malone is already there.

Bird would actually run the offense, so Thomas would be shooting outside shots and attacking the basket.  Miller is a little bit of a weak link on defense, but his shooting would more than make up for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 I will take Team D.

It has the two players who scored the most ever points.

It has two of the best ever outside shooters to spread the floor.

The point guard, he would work, but Stockton would be better and more fitting as half of Stockton to Malone is already there.

Bird would actually run the offense, so Thomas would be shooting outside shots and attacking the basket.  Miller is a little bit of a weak link on defense, but his shooting would more than make up for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mrhancocParticipant]

 Think team B  wins vs them all in 7 games, Barkley is the main x factor of the group and them as a whole are not only talented but the mentally the toughest

[mrhancocParticipant]

 Think team B  wins vs them all in 7 games, Barkley is the main x factor of the group and them as a whole are not only talented but the mentally the toughest

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Allen Iverson

Tracy Mcgrady

Julius Irving

Moses Malone

Wilt Chamberlain

No seriously, out of the Teams listed I’d never beat against team B, but I’ll make an argument for team D

Offensively they’re unstoppable

Thomas and Malone on a Pick and Roll, Miller and Bird hitting clutch outside shots and Karreem on the block commanding double teams or simply owning the paint with his sky hook 

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Allen Iverson

Tracy Mcgrady

Julius Irving

Moses Malone

Wilt Chamberlain

No seriously, out of the Teams listed I’d never beat against team B, but I’ll make an argument for team D

Offensively they’re unstoppable

Thomas and Malone on a Pick and Roll, Miller and Bird hitting clutch outside shots and Karreem on the block commanding double teams or simply owning the paint with his sky hook 

 

 

[trombonematrix43Participant]

Just an awesome "what if" team. As a Sixers fan it’s a what if scenario that I can only dream about.  

[trombonematrix43Participant]

Just an awesome "what if" team. As a Sixers fan it’s a what if scenario that I can only dream about.  

[HaleParticipant]

I’d take team B with team C as the runner up. Can’t go wrong with the greatest player ever, the best PG ever, a dominant two way center with godly post moves and two freak athletes with legendary production like Barkley/Wilkins.

Team’s A and D have weaknesses they’d need to cover up. Miller couldn’t hang with Kobe/Jordan/Wade. Plus I don’t think Malone has a real advantage over anyone. Duncan is better. Garnett is the type of elite defender who could guard him and provides more of an all around impact. In his prime Barkley was arguably just as good.

Melo/Kobe/LeBron just wouldn’t be a good fit. They have the perfect skillsets to compliment eachother but they all need the ball and those ego’s would clash hard. No way Kobe is letting LeBron be the alpha dog and who knows what Melo would do. Howard would get absolutely demolished by Shaq/Kareem/Hakeem to the point where he looks like a complete scrub.

 

[HaleParticipant]

I’d take team B with team C as the runner up. Can’t go wrong with the greatest player ever, the best PG ever, a dominant two way center with godly post moves and two freak athletes with legendary production like Barkley/Wilkins.

Team’s A and D have weaknesses they’d need to cover up. Miller couldn’t hang with Kobe/Jordan/Wade. Plus I don’t think Malone has a real advantage over anyone. Duncan is better. Garnett is the type of elite defender who could guard him and provides more of an all around impact. In his prime Barkley was arguably just as good.

Melo/Kobe/LeBron just wouldn’t be a good fit. They have the perfect skillsets to compliment eachother but they all need the ball and those ego’s would clash hard. No way Kobe is letting LeBron be the alpha dog and who knows what Melo would do. Howard would get absolutely demolished by Shaq/Kareem/Hakeem to the point where he looks like a complete scrub.

 

[chrispaulwallParticipant]

 All of them are no joke but I’m taking Team C. Paul to set them all up unselfishly in their spots,  Wade slashing, getting fouled and playing incredible defense, Durant being Durant, Timmy locking the paint down and making those 15 footers off the backboard, and then Shaq just dominating. Every player would compliment the other extremely well. Yep, definitely C.

[chrispaulwallParticipant]

 All of them are no joke but I’m taking Team C. Paul to set them all up unselfishly in their spots,  Wade slashing, getting fouled and playing incredible defense, Durant being Durant, Timmy locking the paint down and making those 15 footers off the backboard, and then Shaq just dominating. Every player would compliment the other extremely well. Yep, definitely C.

[trombonematrix43Participant]

but how can you pick againt Hakeem and MJ? Team B all the way.  

[trombonematrix43Participant]

but how can you pick againt Hakeem and MJ? Team B all the way.  

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

This isn’t even close imo. The best PG, best SG, and best Center (this can’t be argued basically). Team A looks nice on paper but they do not have a true point guard and the combination of Kobe and Melo on one team would be a killer (in a bad way). Dwight would be destroyed technically by Hakeem.

[tidhoParticipant]

Wait, did you just say that it can’t be argued that Hakeem isn’t the best Center on this list?

Kareem frick’n Abdul frick’n Jabbar.  Look him up.

[tidhoParticipant]

Wait, did you just say that it can’t be argued that Hakeem isn’t the best Center on this list?

Kareem frick’n Abdul frick’n Jabbar.  Look him up.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

This isn’t even close imo. The best PG, best SG, and best Center (this can’t be argued basically). Team A looks nice on paper but they do not have a true point guard and the combination of Kobe and Melo on one team would be a killer (in a bad way). Dwight would be destroyed technically by Hakeem.

[piratejpParticipant]

I’m on the Team B bandwagon as well. Nique as 3rd banana behind Jordan & Hakeem as primary scorers; Barkley destroying the glass and Magic free to set it all up and do whatever it takes to win with Jordan as an option? Lol – that’s a joke. Anyone who doesn’t pick this team has to be under 30 years old, because if you saw these guys play, you know none of those other teams – impressive as they are – are going to even take these guys to a 7th game most times you play it out; much less beat them in a deciding game.

[piratejpParticipant]

I’m on the Team B bandwagon as well. Nique as 3rd banana behind Jordan & Hakeem as primary scorers; Barkley destroying the glass and Magic free to set it all up and do whatever it takes to win with Jordan as an option? Lol – that’s a joke. Anyone who doesn’t pick this team has to be under 30 years old, because if you saw these guys play, you know none of those other teams – impressive as they are – are going to even take these guys to a 7th game most times you play it out; much less beat them in a deciding game.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

So it seems I am the 1st to take team D?
I think it has the best PF/C combo along team C ,with an amazing 3 point shooting to open things for them

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

So it seems I am the 1st to take team D?
I think it has the best PF/C combo along team C ,with an amazing 3 point shooting to open things for them

[trelos6Participant]

Initially I saw the lists and I was like Team B all the way.

But after reading the previous posts I have come to the conclusion team D is the most balanced and would ultimately win out.

Isiah Thomas played with a HUGE chip on his shoulder, Larry Legend would fight until the last buzzer, Miller also helps to space the floor, Malone and KAJ will combine for 50/20.

 

 

  

[trelos6Participant]

Initially I saw the lists and I was like Team B all the way.

But after reading the previous posts I have come to the conclusion team D is the most balanced and would ultimately win out.

Isiah Thomas played with a HUGE chip on his shoulder, Larry Legend would fight until the last buzzer, Miller also helps to space the floor, Malone and KAJ will combine for 50/20.

 

 

  

[vulture711Participant]

 YOU NEVER BET AGAINST JORDAN !

[vulture711Participant]

 YOU NEVER BET AGAINST JORDAN !

[Toronto16Participant]

 I’m going to have to go with team  D because of how well they could space the floor, unlike the other 3 teams.  They may not be as strong defensively, but if they just ran a zone the entire game the other teams would struggle mightily.

[Toronto16Participant]

 I’m going to have to go with team  D because of how well they could space the floor, unlike the other 3 teams.  They may not be as strong defensively, but if they just ran a zone the entire game the other teams would struggle mightily.

[BigChamp12Participant]

They all are very tough, but I have to give a slight edge to Team A over Team B.  Lebron running the show at the point while Kobe and Melo launching daggers from every angle. The Lebron and Dwight pick n roll with KG popping up for the midrange jumper that he’s perfected. I cant see anybody stopping that Offense.

The defense speaks for itself. Lebron and Kobe ball hawking while Melo gets physical with Nique. If anybody gets beat, KG and Dwight will be there to alter the shot.

I would pay anything to witness that game.

Wishful thinking.

[BigChamp12Participant]

They all are very tough, but I have to give a slight edge to Team A over Team B.  Lebron running the show at the point while Kobe and Melo launching daggers from every angle. The Lebron and Dwight pick n roll with KG popping up for the midrange jumper that he’s perfected. I cant see anybody stopping that Offense.

The defense speaks for itself. Lebron and Kobe ball hawking while Melo gets physical with Nique. If anybody gets beat, KG and Dwight will be there to alter the shot.

I would pay anything to witness that game.

Wishful thinking.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

 I’m taking whichever team has the cap room to add Brian Scalabrine

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

 I’m taking whichever team has the cap room to add Brian Scalabrine

[andrew89Participant]

why is Dwight even in consideration with these other guys?

If you put any of those other centers on team A I don’t see that team losing. 

 

[andrew89Participant]

why is Dwight even in consideration with these other guys?

If you put any of those other centers on team A I don’t see that team losing. 

 

[tidhoParticipant]

Cool discussion.  I’ll take ‘D’.

A – easily 4th place. I don’t think most posters have any idea what a prime Kareem would do to Dwight Howard.  They don’t have a point guard, and at some point I’d expect Kobe and Melo to wrestle each other to the ground fighting for the ball.

B – 2nd place.  I think they have the most overall talent, but they aren’t structured as well as a couple of the others.  Floor spacing would be a problem, look out in transition though.

C – 3rd.  Somewhat unfair because Durant likely hasn’t peeked yet.  Again structure is a bit of a problem.  Duncan and Shaq are in each other’s way and clogging the middle for Wade’s penetration, who would have limited kick out options.

D – 1st, by quite a bit.  Super clutched and balanced.  I wonder if most posters even understand how good Bird, Thomas and especially Kareem (well before ‘Showtime’) were in their prime.  I don’t think any of the others would get to game 7 agaisnt this team.

[tidhoParticipant]

Cool discussion.  I’ll take ‘D’.

A – easily 4th place. I don’t think most posters have any idea what a prime Kareem would do to Dwight Howard.  They don’t have a point guard, and at some point I’d expect Kobe and Melo to wrestle each other to the ground fighting for the ball.

B – 2nd place.  I think they have the most overall talent, but they aren’t structured as well as a couple of the others.  Floor spacing would be a problem, look out in transition though.

C – 3rd.  Somewhat unfair because Durant likely hasn’t peeked yet.  Again structure is a bit of a problem.  Duncan and Shaq are in each other’s way and clogging the middle for Wade’s penetration, who would have limited kick out options.

D – 1st, by quite a bit.  Super clutched and balanced.  I wonder if most posters even understand how good Bird, Thomas and especially Kareem (well before ‘Showtime’) were in their prime.  I don’t think any of the others would get to game 7 agaisnt this team.

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