What is the best team of all time? What team would win if the scenario is best of 7 NBA finals with all of the players at the apex of their careers? That is the conversation I’ve had via text over the last couple of days with another NBA junkie. Today I’ll share 5 of the matchups he presented and my explanations. You can tell me which teams you think would have won. Don’t forget to give explanations.
Scenario 1:
Team 1: CP3, Jordan, Bird, Duncan, Wilt
Team 2: Magic. Kobe, LeBron, Barkley, Russell
Russell isn’t much help offensively in a world where offensive goaltending exist. Duncan vs Barkley is the big mismatch here. Barkley won’t have an answer for Duncan. Magic is too big for CP3, but Russell and Barkley aren’t spacing the floor so there is no space for Magic to take advantage of that.
Bird and Jordan have consistently good jump shots and Bird can kill from 3. With all of those great passers on team Jordan They will be able to play an effective inside out game collapsing the defense and kicking out to open shooters.
Conclusion: Team Jordan in 5 or 6
Scenario 2:
Team 1: Nash, Jordan, Bird, Mchale, Wilt
Team 2: Magic, LeBron, Durant, Hakeem, Shaq
Jordan team has probably the two best game shooters ever in Nash and Bird. For that reason I give them two wins from the two of them getting crazy hot from the three point line.
The Hakeem Team has better interior play which would limit Jordan’s ability to get to the basket. So LeBron and Jordan would be a wash most games for that reason. Durant and Bird also nullify each other most games.
The largest advantage is on the interior. Hakeem easily over McHale and with Wilt having to come over and help against Hakeem Shaq takes the Center match up.
Factoring in 1 “Jordan Game” where MJ goes other worldly and can make shots from anywhere I gave another game to the Jordan Team. Unfortunately for them over the course of the 7 game series and with that much talent on the floor I can’t see a second Jordan Game occurring.
Conclusion: Hakeem Team in 7
Teams: AI, Jordan, McHale, Kareem, Robinson
Team 2: Isaiah, Dr. J, Tmac, Hakeem, Shaq
This is the conversation that followed him choosing these teams.
Me: AI submarines super talented teams far worse than even Kobe does, so Shaq Team in a rout.
Him: AI vs. Isaiah is a good match. Robinson’s pure muscle can combat Shaq’s fat + muscle. Additionally, they hate each other so I would say they alternated who 1 ups the other per game.
Plus, Tmac has to guard Kareem/McHale which is a mismatch. They could do OKAY guarding Tmac. MJ vs Dr. J is MJ clearly. I think this is 6 to 7 games believe it or not.
Me: Honestly, If you take AI off the team and they play 5 on 4 I’ll take the Jordan Team.
Conclusion: Jordan Team in 4 or 5 1
Scenario 4: Now with far less greats
Team 1: Rondo, Westbrook, Peja Bosh, Orlando Shaq,
Team 2: CP3, Rose, Horry, Dirk, Miami Shaq
When the lights shine brightest Rondo is the best point guard in the league 2, so Rondo over CP3.
In the battle of the crazy athletic point guards I tried to set my dislike of Westbrook aside and judge fairly. I still went with Rose. Orlando Shaq would be a problem for Miami Shaq, but he wouldn’t dominate the way he would against other centers.
2011 Playoffs Dirk was virtually impossible to guard and would certainly be favored over Bosh. Lastly there was Horry vs Peja. Peja > Horry for sure, but “the Horry effect”, especially in the playoffs, >>>> over Peja.
Conclusion: Team Dirk in 63 Dirk is MVP.
Scenario : 5
Team 1: Steph Curry, Kenny Smith, 4 Melo, Kareem, Robinson
Team 2: Rondo, Vince Carter, Tmac, Hakeem, Shaq
Rondo can get to the basket at will in this match up, but there are some pretty good defenders waiting for him when he arrives. Tmac would be the most reliable drive and kick option for Rondo.
Kareem scores at will, because that’s just what Kareem does. IF the D collapses he has two very good shooters to kick out to in Melo and Curry.
The Robinson/Shaq thing has been discussed already. Hakeem would do well with his Dream Shake, but as I said Kareem just scores at will.
This means that Vince Carter would have to be the X factor in his matchup against Kenny Smith…
Conclusion: Team Melo in just under 3 games.5
Thanks for Reading!
