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| (Photo: lancasteronline.com) |
I gave out my starting five last week and got some good
responses, this week is my second team off the bench. This team will have some
names that many feel should be on the first team but again, it’s my list so
this is how it goes.
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| (Photo: SI.com) |
Point Guard: Allen Iverson,
96’-10’, 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies- Pound-for-pound one of the
toughest players in NBA history. End to end one of the fastest players. Right
hand to left hand and back again, one of the quickest. Allen Iverson could
score and score a lot. Four seasons scoring over 30 points per game. In 2001,
Iverson carried the Sixers on the shoulder of his 165lb body to the NBA Finals
against the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Sixers took game 1 with Iverson
scoring 48 points, the Lakers won 4 straight to win the series but it was one
of those things where you knew then Iverson was destined for greatness. A
four-time scoring champ along with an MVP Award in 2000-01, Allen Iverson is
one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and perhaps the best player 6-feet
and under.
Career: 26.7 ppg, 6.2 ast, 3.7 reb, 2.2
stl, 0.2 blk, 78% FT, 31% 3P, 42% FG
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| (Photo: fadeawayworld.com) |
Shooting Guard: Kobe
Bryant, 96’-16’, Lakers- Bryant is one of two players on my second team
that a majority of people will think should be on the first team. One of the
best players in NBA history, Bryant played all 20 with the Lakers and retired
as perhaps the greatest Laker in history. That’s another debate we can have.
with the Lakers and retired as perhaps the greatest Laker in history. That’s
another debate we can have. Like Iverson, Bryant is one of the greatest scorers
in NBA history and ranks 3rd on the all-time scoring list with
33,643 points. He was an assassin on the court and his attitude and mental
capacity for the game of basketball was perhaps even more impressive than his
actual play. Bryant captured three of his five NBA titles with Shaquille O’Neal
but won his last two on his own which many believed cemented his legacy as one
of the greats, but his career numbers and accolades speak for themselves.
Career: 25.0 ppg, 5.2 reb, 4.7 ast, 1.4
stl, 0.5 blk, 83% FT, 32% 3P, 44% FG
Small Forward: Kevin
Durant, 07’-present, Super Sonics, Thunder, Warriors- So far my second could
outscore my first team as Durant adds to that. Perhaps the most unique scorer
in league history, Durant is (still debatable) 7-feet and shoots the ball as
well as teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. His hands and shot release
point allow him to shoot over every defender that tries to guard him. A
four-time scoring champ, Durant has scored 25 points or more in 10 straight
seasons. A recent Finals MVP for the second straight season, Durant will likely
go down as one of the best scorers in NBA history. If you’re looking to defend
him, all I can say is good luck.
Career: 27.1 ppg, 7.1 reb, 3.9 ast, 1.2
stl, 1.1 blks, 88% FT, 38% 3P, 49% FG
Power Forward: Tim Duncan,
97’-16’, Spurs- I’m not sure how someone like Tim Duncan can be underrated
but somehow he is. Arguably the best power forward of all-time, Duncan was the
centerpiece for the Spurs dynasty that won 5 titles with Duncan leading the way.
The definition of letting your play do the talking, Duncan was one of the
quietest players the NBA has ever seen. Especially for someone of his status.
Duncan was perhaps the best passing big man of all-time he never finished a
season under 2.3 assists per game. You could always count on him to make the
right play at the right time and could always count on him to use the glass.
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| (Photo: sportingnews.com) |
Career: 19.0 ppg, 10.8 ast, 3.0 ast,
0.7 stl, 2.2 blk, 69%, 17% 3P, 50% FG
Center: Ben Wallace,
96’-12’, Bullets/Wizards, Magic, Pistons, Bulls, Cavs- This might be the
biggest surprise amongst my two starting fives. I have a lot of scoring on this
second team so I’m going with rebounding and defense. Wallace might be the most
undersized center the NBA has seen but that didn’t stop him from racking up the
rebounds and blocks. A four-time defensive player of the year, Wallace held
down the middle for the Pistons during their run of multiple Eastern Conference
Finals and an NBA title. Whether he rocked the cornrows or the fro, Ben Wallace
never backed down. If it’s an offensive center you want this isn’t your guy but
if you want someone to stand his ground in the paint and fight for the boards
then look no further than Wallace.
Career: 5.7 ppg, 11.1 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.4
stl, 2.3 blks, 41% FT, 47% FG
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