Design the optimum team around Wilt Chamberlain

[ThaRegul8r]

Just out of curiosity. Much has been said about Wilt's teammates, so the point of this exercise is to give Wilt Chamberlain the optimum teammates who will complement his game and give him absolutely everything he needs to compete with the greats. You can choose from anyone who has ever played the game. Choose four teammates to round out the starting lineup, and three men for the bench. (You're not really going to go beyond an 8-man rotation anyway. You can choose a full bench if you like, but I don't think most people will do that anyway.)

Since there have been several different versions of Wilt, specify which period of time you're choosing for Wilt (I myself would take 1966-67 Wilt, but other opinions may vary). Think about how these players' games will complement Wilt. And explain WHY you've chosen these players. Just listing names isn't as interesting as the explanation behind it (and if you have to explain it, then it shows you've actually thought about it).

I suppose I should also add, don't say Jordan. Jordan is a fellow competitor for the title of G.O.A.T., and the point of this is to give Wilt teammates that will enable him to compete against say a Jordan-led team, or a Kareem (or any other of the GOAT centers)-led team, etc., on equal footing.

Choose no more than two other players who have been MVP at some point in their careers. ("Big Threes" are all the vogue, and of course, there have to be players available for other teams.)

[CellarDoor]

I'm not going to give him anyone else in my top 10.

Also, I'm taking 67 Wilt as well.

PF: man defense is great, help D isn't too consequential given Wilt as my C. Also I'd like my starting PF to be Wilt's back-up. I'm taking Jack Sikma. Rangy forward, very good rebounder and defender, supremely talented off-ball.

SF: Paul Pierce. He can score from anywhere on the floor, play off-ball, iso, and has proven to be a good defender in a defensively oriented system.

SG: Clyde Drexler. Excellent scorer and do-it-all guy. Also fulfills my no top 10 guys.

PG: Jerry West. Another guy who's not going to cause problems. He's ridiculously clutch, and having a facilitator like Wilt on the team means he can work off-ball at times as well.

Back-ups:

Bobby Jones: He can fit into both forward slots and play elite defense.

Michael Cooper: fits into the 1-3. Clutch defensive shooter.

Mark Price: A true PG and an elite shooter on a team sure to create a ton of space.

[HarryD]

Wilt '67
Hakeem
Bird
Ray Allen
Payton

This team has everything - elite defense, offense, 3PT shooting, passing, rebounding, and whats also very important - amazing finishing in the clutch. No team in NBA history could beat this one in the series.

Bench:

McHale - very solid and extremely efficient scorer off the bench, good defender too.
Pippen - makes team more versatile, could start instead of Ray if needed.
Deron - excellent all-around backup PG with a range.

[CellarDoor]

Wilt '67
Hakeem
Bird
Ray Allen
Payton

This team has everything - elite defense, offense, 3PT shooting, passing, rebounding, and whats also very important - amazing finishing in the clutch. No team in NBA history could beat this one in the series.

You gave them 3 top 10 players ever. I'd hope they wouldn't be beaten by a normal team.

[HarryD]

You gave them 3 top 10 players ever. I'd hope they wouldn't be beaten by a normal team.

Touche, yet the goal was to build the best optimal team around the Wilt within the rules, mission accomplished

[ReaLiez]

C 67 Wilt
PF Rodman
SF James
SG Tmac
PG Kidd

Rondo
Roy
Ben Wallace
lots of play making, bangers, players who can play D, players who can stretch the floor, shooters

[ThaRegul8r]

You gave them 3 top 10 players ever. I'd hope they wouldn't be beaten by a normal team.

Touche, yet the goal was to build the best optimal team around the Wilt within the rules, mission accomplished

False.

the point of this is to give Wilt teammates that will enable him to compete against say a Jordan-led team, or a Kareem (or any other of the GOAT centers)-led team, etc., on equal footing.

Last I knew, Hakeem was another GOAT center—and as such, part of Wilt's historical competition (with Russell, Kareem and Shaq), one whom some people actually claim was better than Wilt ( ). Try again.

[HarryD]

Last I knew, Hakeem was another GOAT center—and as such, part of his historical competition, one whom some people actually claim was better than Wilt ( ). Try again.

Come on now, lets not filter players basing on BS claims. Same as Kobe is GOAT argument over Jordan Or make topic more clear - other Top10 players off-limits, in that case:

Wilt '67
Garnett
Pippen
Ray Allen
Jerry West

[Jimmy76]

Alvin Robertson- One of the most disruptive guards in NBA history and he brings a defensive minded toughness

Clyde Drexler- A super athletic wing for Wilt to hit on the break, a capable 3 point shooter, underrated ball thief, can generate half court offense if he's called on

Rick Barry-Can take on the point-forward role on this team with neither guard being able to cover point guard duties perfectly, a good shooter, and he plays in the disruptive defense I'm going for

Kevin Garnett-Helps anchor the defense, space the floor, maintains team toughness, and won't mind having a complimentary role focusing on just hitting the boards, playing defense, and hitting the easy shots

Wilt the Stilt 67-Will crash the boards, between him and Garnett anchoring the defense I can afford all the defensive gambling and disruption I'm getting from my 1,2,3, he can initiate the break off his rebounding, and be our go to post option in the half court.

Hondo- great defense, proven 6th man, offense off the bench
Bobby Jones-toughness and defense
Bill Walton 86-can fill Wilts role seamlessly and also proved he can still be a high impact guy off the bench

We're going to gamble a lot and generate a ridiculous amount of steals but with our defensive presences in the middle it won't cost us all too much and that combined with the level of rebounding and passing in the middle means we get to basically spend the entire game in transition; not that we can't destroy teams in the half court with Wilt (and the rest of the stars) if need be

Any questions about Wilts will to win, toughness, ability to close out games, etc is more than addressed with the character of the supporting cast around him

[ThaRegul8r]

Last I knew, Hakeem was another GOAT center—and as such, part of his historical competition, one whom some people actually claim was better than Wilt ( ). Try again.

Come on now, lets not filter players basing on BS claims. Same as Kobe is GOAT argument over Jordan

The point of this thread is to give Wilt the optimal team around him to compete with the greats. That was the very first sentence of this thread. #1, you were cheating by putting two centers in the starting lineup; #2, you put two of the top five centers of all time in the same lineup. Hakeem is part of the competition Wilt would be facing with his optimum lineup. As is Shaq. As is Kareem. As is Russell.

Who are Wilt's competition for GOAT?

Russell, MJ and Kareem. Thus none of them can be on the same team, which is what I was getting at when I said

Jordan is a fellow competitor for the title of G.O.A.T., and the point of this is to give Wilt teammates that will enable him to compete against say a Jordan-led team, or a Kareem (or any other of the GOAT centers)-led team, etc., on equal footing.

Who are Wilt's historical competition at his position?

Russell (who was his real life competition), Kareem (ditto), Shaq and Hakeem. The "everything recent is best, everything past sucked" crowd claim that Shaq and Hakeem > Wilt. I specifically said Wilt would be competing against Kareem "or any other of the GOAT centers." They're out.

Or make topic more clear - other Top10 players off-limits

I'm the OP, and as such, I make the rules, thank you. If you make a thread, I will not come into it and tell you what your rules should be. Thank you for your contribution, though.

I like everyone's replies so far, and I hope those who will choose to respond in the future will take note of CellarDoor and Jimmy76's posts as the example.

[JordansBulls]

PG John Stockton
SG Reggie Miller
SF Sidney Moncrief
PF Larry Nance
C Wilt Chamberlain

[Point forward]

You can choose from anyone who has ever played the game. Choose four teammates to round out the starting lineup, and three men for the bench. (You're not really going to go beyond an 8-man rotation anyway. You can choose a full bench if you like, but I don't think most people will do that anyway.)

I suppose I should also add, don't say Jordan. Jordan is a fellow competitor for the title of G.O.A.T., and the point of this is to give Wilt teammates that will enable him to compete against say a Jordan-led team, or a Kareem (or any other of the GOAT centers)-led team, etc., on equal footing.

Choose no more than two other players who have been MVP at some point in their careers. ("Big Threes" are all the vogue, and of course, there have to be players available for other teams.)

Following these rules, no Immortal Six players and also no Shaq, Hakeem, Duncan, Kobe or Moses for me. I tried going with mostly contemporary players, too.

C - Wilt 1967
Goes w/o saying, the GOAT year of a GOAT player. He did it all, and did it near perfectly (apart from his FTs, lol).

PF - Dirk Nowitzki
The ultimate stretch 4, capable of grabbing some boards, very underrated in the clutch, and great character guy. Would be happy to leave the spotlight to the very outspoken Wilt. (More contemporary guy: McAdoo)

SF - John Havlicek
Wilt needs a complimentary scorer who provides tough perimeter D, hits clutch baskets and does not need the ball in his hands to be effective. Hondo is the *perfect* guy for this role. He is the perfect combo of Horry and Pippen, and would be happy to be a loyal 2nd fiddle.

SG - Jerry West
IMHO the best team mate Wilt ever had, and also one of Wilt's rare friends off the court. West could bring up the ball, score, dish out, defend, and is of course supremely clutch. Tried and proven in LA. Also, have fun attacking a Hondo/West perimeter.

PG - Hal Greer
Greer was not only a very underrated guard, but also one of the rare players who could stand up to Wilt. He is more robust than Gail Goodrich, more outspoken (in a positive way) than Sam Jones, but not so dominant as Oscar, who would probably clash with Wilt. Tried and proven in 1967.

Bench - Bill Laimbeer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker, Robert Horry, Sam Jones
Cunningham and Walker are tried and proven guys who liked to play with Wilt, and Horry plus Sam Jones are also loyal bench guys who are DEADLY in the clutch. And if any center tries to rough up Wilt, I will send in Laimbeer as C/PF and beat the **** out of him.

BTW, some terrible choices would be:
* Elgin Baylor - clashed with Wilt on and off the court
* Nate Thurmond - unable to shift to PF when Wilt insisted to remain C
* Dolph Schayes - Wilt hated his guts
* Bob Cousy - see Schayes

[MSGBallerz]

Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Wilt Chamberlain

Easily.

[Jimmy76]

Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Wilt Chamberlain

Easily.

Read the op

Essentially don't use the immortal six or any top 5ish center

[ThaRegul8r]

Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Wilt Chamberlain

Easily.

[Jimmy76]

Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Tim Duncan
Wilt Chamberlain

Easily.

Don't worry they'll catch on eventually

[MSGBallerz]

Yeah you caught me. But hey that OP was too long for the average realgm posters attention span, so sue me.

[ThaRegul8r]

Yeah you caught me. But hey that OP was too long for the average realgm posters attention span, so sue me.

Four paragraphs, totaling all of 259 words, is "too long for the average RealGM poster's attention span"?



Wow.

[MSGBallerz]

Yeah you caught me. But hey that OP was too long for the average realgm posters attention span, so sue me.

Four paragraphs, totaling all of 259 words, is "too long for the average RealGM poster's attention span"?



Wow.

Its the PC board. Nothing serious here. 99% of the posts suck. I'm not going to care if its more than 3 lines.

[writerman]

Limiting myself - no active players - and I'm thinking about fit and roles rather than overall talent...

C - Wilt
PF - Kevin McHale
SF - Larry Bird
SG - John Havlicek
PG - Walt Frazier

Bench

Billy Cunningham
Sidney Moncreif
Nate Thurmond
Nate Archibald
Jerry Sloan
Jerry Lucas
Norm Van Lier
Artis Gilmore
Rick Barry
Reggie Miller