[Wizard of Os]

There's been a lot of posting in this forum regarding those classic argument starters: top players of the last 40 years (how can you eliminate George Mikan as one of the greatest ever?), greatest player of all-time (come on, Jordan, right?), and such.

So I've got one for you: The All-Time First String Team. Five players, one at each position, no players out of position (i.e. Duncan as a shooting forward).

Personally, i've been poring over this one since...well, Naismith-knows-when. The first four have got to be obvious: Magic, His Airness, Larry and Wilt the Stilt. But who, who, who is the power forward?

The sentimental choice is Sir Charles. He took the MVP once (and really should have twice, but paraphrasing Charles himself, they rooked him out of it that one year when Larry with lesser stats took the prize) and carried the last great mega-scoring team, the Phoenix Suns to sixty wins and the finals. Plus, he's hilarious and should probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame based on his TNT material alone. And what about that early nickname, one of the greatest ever: The Round Mound of Rebound. Unfortunately, Sir Charles had a short career, and even shorter period of untouchable greatness. But when he was on...

Then there are the Malone boys, Karl and Moses. Karl just may have been the No. 1 scorer in history if not for Kobe's selfish and stupid comments combined with the only injury in his career. Moses, i believe, still holds the record for most games played, and is top five in rebounds and points scored. And don't forget "fo', fo', fo'!"

I'm sure there are others...but perhaps someone can assist me in my dilemma. Who is the fifth starter? (And does aybody want to argue for Russell at center?)

[Nitch]

Please. All time starters: Pete Marvich point guard, Micheal Jordan shooting guard, Larry Bird small foward, Big O power foward, the big dipper Center

6th man World B. Free just kidding.

SUMMARY:

Pete Marvich: NCAA points per game average record holder

MJ: what more to say

Larry Bird: my main man

Oscar Robbertson: Average tripple double 1 year

Wilt: 100 points in one game?




I have doubts in my self: Kobe, Dr.J, Magic and clutch. And many more even though my team is bad

[Nitch]

Russel at center? Wilt at center! Fifth starter check my list.

[wedge]

Power forward is a tough position to pick. Depends on what you like in a power forward. Karl Malone and Charles Barkley are the obvious picks. Two guys who changed the face of the Power Forward position as someone who can be as versatile as a small forward and score facing the basketball.

However, it's hard to deny "The Big E" Elvin Hayes. The man did everything but sell popcorn. 6th in career points, 4th in career rebounding and never, in 15 seasons, played less than 80 games. Who could forgot the win against UCLA in 1967 in front of the biggest crowd, 52,693, to watch an NCAA game which broke UCLA's 47 game win streak?

Ask me in like 5-10 years and this answer will change to Kevin Garnett.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Wedge you the man!...You went old school choosing the Big-E...The old cattle rancher had to play against some steep competition in those days that today’s power forwards just don't see...Hayes had to see the likes of Wilt, Kareem, Lanier, Cowen, Reed, Thurmond, Bellamy day in and day out in a more compact league...No disrespect given to Garnett, the Mailman, or the Round Mound of Rebound (Sir Charles), but Shaq aside, who do they really battle inside?...

You got my vote Wedge...I'll back you on that Big E vote...regardless of what other haters post...you the man!...The Big E rules...

[legend]

my five-

Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Jerry West
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Julius Erving

next five-

Wilt Chamberlain
Oscar Robertson
Kobe Bryant
Moses Malone
Charles Barkley

Oddly enough, if my second team played my first team, I would have to take my second team to win. I believe it would outrebound the first team by a huge margin. The first team has a great edge in shooting ability.
Obviously I am leaving off great players like Magic and Russell, but that is the nature of fantasy teams of this nature.

And here is a vote for the most exciting player of all time- Pete Maravich. Nobody could do the things he did with a basketball.

[Rick Robey]

magic
mj
bird
malone (holding the spot for duncan who just needs a few more years on his resume)
russell

book it.