Merged Thread: Payton & Malone to LA
- Thread starter AFFILIATED
- Start date
This is damn unfair. Can't nobody hang with a team made up of Payton, Shaq, kobe and Malone. I mean what is this the freakin olympic squad? Everybody place your bets. The odds are currently 6 to 4. I think I'll place a $100 on them for the 2004 championship. Win a cool $150. I mean they might as well make the odds 1 to 1 with that squad.
Best players on one team
I saw this article on ESPN.com and thought it was interesting and very good discussion material..........this has to do with the best players on one time at the same time......not necessarily at the best moments in their career but overall career talent wise.
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By David Schoenfield
ESPN.com
With the impending signings of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, the Lakers now have a roster of four future first-ballot Hall of Famers who have combined for three MVP awards (two by Malone, one by Shaq), 20 first-team All-NBA seasons (Malone 11, Shaquille O'Neal five, Kobe Bryant and Payton two each) and 12 more second-team all-NBA seasons.
Is it the most star-studded roster in NBA history?
Certainly, Malone isn't the player he was that earned him those 11 first-team honors, more than player in NBA history. But we're not concerned with that. And we're not looking for the best teams in NBA history (thus, the Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen Bulls aren't considered since they lacked supporting star power).
We simply want to know: Which team, in retrospect, had the most name recognition (even if all the players weren't at their peak value when they were together).
The candidates:
2003-'04 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Malone, O'Neal, Bryant, Payton
MVPs: Two (Malone, Shaq)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 20 (and counting)
The Lakers feature two all-time greats in Malone and Shaq, one on his way in Kobe and an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer in Payton. And extra credit for a nine-time champion as coach.
How they did: To be determined.
1997-'99 Houston Rockets
Hall of Famers: Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler/Scottie Pippen
MVPs: Two (Olajuwon, Barkley)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 12 (with Drexler); 14 (with Pippen)
After winning back-to-back titles behind Hakeem in 1994-'95 (Drexler was on the '95 team), the Rockets figured Sir Charles would be enough to bring them another title. Unfortunately, a guy named Jordan returned. In '99, Drexler was gone, but Scottie Pippen was added to the mix in the strike year of 1999.
How they did: 57-25 in '97 (lost in West finals); 41-41 in '98 (lost in first round), 31-19 in '99 (lost in first round).
1986 Philadelphia 76ers
Hall of Famers: Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Bob McAdoo
MVPs: Four (Malone was a three-time MVP, the others won one apiece)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 15
Erving, Malone and Barkley played together during Barkley's rookie season in 1985 and the following year, McAdoo played 29 games with the team, making this the only team in NBA history that would feature four past or future MVPs. The Sixers also featured Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones, who were both four-time All-Stars. Barkley wouldn't make his first All-Star Game until the next season, but Dr. J, Malone and Cheeks were all All-Stars in '86.
How they did: 54-28, lost in conference semifinals to Milwaukee.
1986 Boston Celtics
Hall of Famers: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Robert Parish
MVPs: Two (Bird, Walton)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 12 (Bird had nine, McHale, Walton and Dennis Johnson one each)
Walton was a bench player in his one season with the Celtics and All-Star Danny Ainge was also in the lineup. Talk about NBA glory days: The Sixers didn't even make the conference finals and the Lakers -- a team which featured seven All-Stars -- lost to Houston in the West conference finals.
How they did: 67-15, NBA champs.
1983 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, McAdoo, James Worthy
MVPs: Three (Kareem won six, Magic three and McAdoo one)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 20 (10 by Kareem and nine by Magic; Worthy never made a first- or second-team All-NBA)
This team had the most star power of any of the Magic-Kareem Lakers squads. Kareem and Magic were first-team All-NBA, McAdoo scored 15 points a game off the bench and Jamaal Wilkes (three-time All-Star) and seven-time All-Star Worthy combined for 33 points a game. Throw in two-time All-Star Norm Nixon and defensive whiz Michael Cooper for good measure.
How they did: 58-24, swept in Finals by Malone-Erving Sixers.
1973 New York Knicks
Hall of Famers: Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Bill Bradley (mostly for college results, however)
MVPs: One (Reed won in 1970)
First-team All-NBA seasons: Nine (four by Frazier, three by Lucas, one each by Reed and Monroe)
These Knicks had a lot of star power, although nobody on the all-time great superstar level. But these were great players: DeBusschere was an eight-time All-Star, Reed, Lucas and Frazier were seven-time All-Stars, Earl the Pearl made it four times, Bradley made it once and even reserve Dick Barnett had made it once.
How they did: 57-25, NBA champs (beat Wilt Chamberlain/Jerry West Lakers in Finals).
1969 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor
MVPs: Chamberlain won four
First-team All-NBA seasons: 27 (10 each by West and Baylor, seven by Wilt)
Wilt's first season in L.A. was the only year these three all-time greats were healthy together. But not much in the way of a supporting cast.
How they did: 55-27, lost Finals in seven games to Celtics in one of the greatest NBA games ever played. Celtics won 108-106, nearly blowing a 17-point lead, with Chamberlain sitting the final 5:45 after hurting his knee (Chamberlain had asked back in with three minutes left, but was left on the bench). It was Bill Russell's final season …
Leading us to:
1963 Boston Celtics
Hall of Famers: Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, K.C. Jones, Clyde Lovellette (for college days)
MVPs: Two (Russell fives times, Cousy once)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 17 (Cousy 10, Havlicek 4, Russell 3)
We picked this Celtics team as the most star-studded of all their '60s title squads since it was the only year Cousy and Havlicek played together. They have eight Hall of Famers, but K.C. Jones is really as a coach (he never averaged double figures) and Ramsey is a marginal Hall of Famer.
How they did: 58-22, NBA champs.
Other teams worth mentioning:
1980 Celtics -- Larry Bird, Dave Cowens, Nate Archibald, Pete Maravich (four Hall of Famers, two MVPs; lost in conference finals).
1980 Rockets -- Moses Malone, Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy, Rudy Tomjanovich (three Hall of Famers and a five-time All-Star; lost to Celtics in conference semifinals).
1977 Knicks -- Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bob McAdoo, Spencer Haywood, Bill Bradley (went 40-42, missed playoffs).
1972 Lakers -- Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor (four Hall of Famers, but Baylor played just nine games; won NBA title).
1966-'68 76ers -- Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker (three Hall of Famers, 34 combined All-Star appearances; won title in '67).
David Schoenfield is an editor for Page 2.
I saw this article on ESPN.com and thought it was interesting and very good discussion material..........this has to do with the best players on one time at the same time......not necessarily at the best moments in their career but overall career talent wise.
-----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By David Schoenfield
ESPN.com
With the impending signings of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, the Lakers now have a roster of four future first-ballot Hall of Famers who have combined for three MVP awards (two by Malone, one by Shaq), 20 first-team All-NBA seasons (Malone 11, Shaquille O'Neal five, Kobe Bryant and Payton two each) and 12 more second-team all-NBA seasons.
Is it the most star-studded roster in NBA history?
Certainly, Malone isn't the player he was that earned him those 11 first-team honors, more than player in NBA history. But we're not concerned with that. And we're not looking for the best teams in NBA history (thus, the Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen Bulls aren't considered since they lacked supporting star power).
We simply want to know: Which team, in retrospect, had the most name recognition (even if all the players weren't at their peak value when they were together).
The candidates:
2003-'04 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Malone, O'Neal, Bryant, Payton
MVPs: Two (Malone, Shaq)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 20 (and counting)
The Lakers feature two all-time greats in Malone and Shaq, one on his way in Kobe and an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer in Payton. And extra credit for a nine-time champion as coach.
How they did: To be determined.
1997-'99 Houston Rockets
Hall of Famers: Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler/Scottie Pippen
MVPs: Two (Olajuwon, Barkley)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 12 (with Drexler); 14 (with Pippen)
After winning back-to-back titles behind Hakeem in 1994-'95 (Drexler was on the '95 team), the Rockets figured Sir Charles would be enough to bring them another title. Unfortunately, a guy named Jordan returned. In '99, Drexler was gone, but Scottie Pippen was added to the mix in the strike year of 1999.
How they did: 57-25 in '97 (lost in West finals); 41-41 in '98 (lost in first round), 31-19 in '99 (lost in first round).
1986 Philadelphia 76ers
Hall of Famers: Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Bob McAdoo
MVPs: Four (Malone was a three-time MVP, the others won one apiece)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 15
Erving, Malone and Barkley played together during Barkley's rookie season in 1985 and the following year, McAdoo played 29 games with the team, making this the only team in NBA history that would feature four past or future MVPs. The Sixers also featured Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones, who were both four-time All-Stars. Barkley wouldn't make his first All-Star Game until the next season, but Dr. J, Malone and Cheeks were all All-Stars in '86.
How they did: 54-28, lost in conference semifinals to Milwaukee.
1986 Boston Celtics
Hall of Famers: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Robert Parish
MVPs: Two (Bird, Walton)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 12 (Bird had nine, McHale, Walton and Dennis Johnson one each)
Walton was a bench player in his one season with the Celtics and All-Star Danny Ainge was also in the lineup. Talk about NBA glory days: The Sixers didn't even make the conference finals and the Lakers -- a team which featured seven All-Stars -- lost to Houston in the West conference finals.
How they did: 67-15, NBA champs.
1983 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, McAdoo, James Worthy
MVPs: Three (Kareem won six, Magic three and McAdoo one)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 20 (10 by Kareem and nine by Magic; Worthy never made a first- or second-team All-NBA)
This team had the most star power of any of the Magic-Kareem Lakers squads. Kareem and Magic were first-team All-NBA, McAdoo scored 15 points a game off the bench and Jamaal Wilkes (three-time All-Star) and seven-time All-Star Worthy combined for 33 points a game. Throw in two-time All-Star Norm Nixon and defensive whiz Michael Cooper for good measure.
How they did: 58-24, swept in Finals by Malone-Erving Sixers.
1973 New York Knicks
Hall of Famers: Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Bill Bradley (mostly for college results, however)
MVPs: One (Reed won in 1970)
First-team All-NBA seasons: Nine (four by Frazier, three by Lucas, one each by Reed and Monroe)
These Knicks had a lot of star power, although nobody on the all-time great superstar level. But these were great players: DeBusschere was an eight-time All-Star, Reed, Lucas and Frazier were seven-time All-Stars, Earl the Pearl made it four times, Bradley made it once and even reserve Dick Barnett had made it once.
How they did: 57-25, NBA champs (beat Wilt Chamberlain/Jerry West Lakers in Finals).
1969 Los Angeles Lakers
Hall of Famers: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor
MVPs: Chamberlain won four
First-team All-NBA seasons: 27 (10 each by West and Baylor, seven by Wilt)
Wilt's first season in L.A. was the only year these three all-time greats were healthy together. But not much in the way of a supporting cast.
How they did: 55-27, lost Finals in seven games to Celtics in one of the greatest NBA games ever played. Celtics won 108-106, nearly blowing a 17-point lead, with Chamberlain sitting the final 5:45 after hurting his knee (Chamberlain had asked back in with three minutes left, but was left on the bench). It was Bill Russell's final season …
Leading us to:
1963 Boston Celtics
Hall of Famers: Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, K.C. Jones, Clyde Lovellette (for college days)
MVPs: Two (Russell fives times, Cousy once)
First-team All-NBA seasons: 17 (Cousy 10, Havlicek 4, Russell 3)
We picked this Celtics team as the most star-studded of all their '60s title squads since it was the only year Cousy and Havlicek played together. They have eight Hall of Famers, but K.C. Jones is really as a coach (he never averaged double figures) and Ramsey is a marginal Hall of Famer.
How they did: 58-22, NBA champs.
Other teams worth mentioning:
1980 Celtics -- Larry Bird, Dave Cowens, Nate Archibald, Pete Maravich (four Hall of Famers, two MVPs; lost in conference finals).
1980 Rockets -- Moses Malone, Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy, Rudy Tomjanovich (three Hall of Famers and a five-time All-Star; lost to Celtics in conference semifinals).
1977 Knicks -- Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bob McAdoo, Spencer Haywood, Bill Bradley (went 40-42, missed playoffs).
1972 Lakers -- Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor (four Hall of Famers, but Baylor played just nine games; won NBA title).
1966-'68 76ers -- Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker (three Hall of Famers, 34 combined All-Star appearances; won title in '67).
David Schoenfield is an editor for Page 2.
EAVON GEORGE
whats even crazier is that they have some of the best role players also:
Rick Fox
Robert Horry
Derick Fisher
Brian Shaw
Devon George
those are all reliable players who know they role that can come off the bench....they are still kinda weak inside back-up wise.....Walker, Madson and Cook arent all that great but will most definetely do the trick with the team they have....as much as I hate it, they Lakers are gonna run shti next year.
who yall think will fill the last starting line up spot?
Kobe
Payton
Shaq
Malone
???????? (I could see anyone from Fox to Horry to George) filling this....George has steadily been improving and it might be his time....what yall think????
lakers are followin the same route as the yankees...buyin they rings...
and some of you are forgetting, with an all star squad like that, they're not gonna be able to afford all thier role players, you can bet horry is gone...and some of thier guards are gonna have to go, most likley fish or shaw...they have pargo and rush now...
but i'm feelin you hit the bleez, i might have to place a bet in for the lake show to win it all when i hit vegas later this month...it's pretty much a lock...we'll have to see what happens in san antone 1st...
and some of you are forgetting, with an all star squad like that, they're not gonna be able to afford all thier role players, you can bet horry is gone...and some of thier guards are gonna have to go, most likley fish or shaw...they have pargo and rush now...
but i'm feelin you hit the bleez, i might have to place a bet in for the lake show to win it all when i hit vegas later this month...it's pretty much a lock...we'll have to see what happens in san antone 1st...
