All Time 12-man Roster
Posted: Thu Oct 5, 2023 11:15 pm
I performed a search and the last time we did something similar (without budgets) was in 2017 with a 17-man roster. 6 years is a decent amount of time so here we are. Premise is simple. Create the best 12-man roster you can think of from any player all time with the intent to win a 7-game series against any other constructed team. You can assume any era or rule set. Personally, since the 70s and back were before my time, I didn't include any players during that era. Obviously fit should matter but in the end, it's YOUR team. If you could explain your reasoning for constructing the team the way you did, that would be great. If you simply just want to list 12 players, that's fine too.
For my team, I value versatility as a whole. In particular, I wanted elite defense at every position as well as shooting.
PG: Magic Johnson / Lebron James / Joe Dumars
SG: Michael Jordan / Steph Curry
SF: Kevin Durant / Scottie Pippen
PF: Larry Bird / Kevin Garnett
C: Hakeem Olajuwon / Nicola Jokic / David Robinson
Magic - Ball-dominant, yes. But to me, he's the greatest leader and playmaker. He elevates his team on the court as well as mentally. His efficient midrange and junior skyhook are also nice to have. I envision him starting to push a lead. He may not end a close game on defense, however.
Lebron - Another oversized, ball-dominant PG or point-forward. He'll be the consistent workhorse for the team, providing more defense than Magic at the end of games. Except for specific lineups (see below), he ideally would not share the floor with Magic.
MJ - Perhaps the GOAT defender at SG...or the GOAT in general. Efficient midrange and finishing. He would get big minutes.
Steph - Curry off-ball is just as deadly since he's the GOAT shooter. If I wanted more motion offense, he can obviously slide down to PG.
KD - One of the GOAT shooting forwards and off-ball players in history. He can shoot at any range and at his peak, was a good defender.
Scottie - The inverse of KD. Arguably the GOAT SF or wing defender that can guard all 5 positions, 4 really well. Can even serve as a point-forward if needed.
Larry Bird - I placed him at PF for spacing as he actually did play PF and has the size for it. Right up there with Dirk as the GOAT PF shooter if you consider him as such. Not to mention, he's one of the best off-ball players, racking up assists without actually playing point-forward.
KG - Perhaps the GOAT help defender, solid midrange, can rebound and guard all 5 positions really well.
Hakeem - One of the GOAT rim protectors. Has the footwork to guard all 5 positions from the center position. Dreamshake can be devastating in the post and he can offer different looks with his face-up game. He would probably have to hold back on offense, however, with a stacked team.
Jokic - The Goat passing bigman. He can shoot from any range and has historic efficiency. BBIQ is up there with anyone in history. I previously had Kareem in this slot, so that tells you how much I value his skills.
DRob - He's my 3rd center in case we're going up against an imposing front line (Shaq, Wilt, Kareem, etc). Like Hakeem, one of the GOAT rim protectors and can guard all 5 positions. He'd be willing to take a more passive role on offense to concentrate on defense.
Joe D - The elephant in the room. How does Joe make this squad? A small part is a homer pick, admittedly. But I wanted a combo guard that can shoot, create, play PG and defend. I also wanted someone who isn't an alpha, wouldn't mind deferring and having low usage relative to his offense. With so many options at guard already, he's only going to play spot minutes but won't hurt the lineup at all. And being a smaller defender, he offers a different look vs the smaller quicker guards.
Honorable Mentions: If my life was on the line, I MIGHT reconsider Dumars. Therefore, I considered:
Kawhi - MJ lite with better 3-ball but worse passing. Not really a good playmaker, but he's #1 if I opted to replace Joe as Steph slides to PG.
Reggie - IMO, tied with Curry for the best movement without the ball. RIP might be up there as well. Although what he offers is great, he's too 1-dimensional especially when I already have Curry.
Klay - If 3&D is all you want to add. Not really a creator.
Mitch Richmond - A more well-rounded Klay since he can create. Worse off-ball, however.
Kobe - MJ lite. Joe offers less in a vacuum, but Kobe potentially reduces the team's overall efficiency. Example: Pass to an open Kobe at the 3. Defender closes and he posts up. Double comes and he shoots a fadeaway and misses. Instead, Joe either resets and passes to someone else in better position or shoots the open 3. I know Kobe can shoot the open 3, but Joe is better at it...hence my point.
Wade - similar to Kobe.
Gary Payton - Just to round out the GOAT of PG defenders. But he's not a 3 point shooter and we don't need his post-ups.
Kareem - As mentioned, Jokic took his spot. Originally, I wanted someone who can score from the paint at a high % while being able to hit free throws (hence, no Shaq either). The nigh unblockable sky hook was icing on the cake. But once Jokic showed up, I couldn't ignore him. Kareem has the greater NBA career by far but for this team, Jokic stands out more.
Dirk: Was going to use him as a stretch 5 but like Kareem, Jokic replaced him.
As you can see, I have a good mixture of alphas and "betas" (Joe, Pippin, KG, DRob) that don't mind sacrificing their offense for defense or setting up teammates. With this much versatility, here are some of the possible lineups depending on the situation:
Defense heavy: MJ / Pippen / KG / DRob / Hakeem
Overall offense: Magic / Curry / MJ / Bird or Durant / Jokic
Balance (shooting and defense): Dumars / MJ / Durant / Bird / Hakeem
Shooting: Dumars / Curry / KD / Bird / Jokic
Fastbreak/Showtime: Magic / MJ / Pippin /Lebron /Drob (this would be amazing to see!)
Small ball: Dumars / Curry / MJ / Pippin / Lebron, Magic, Bird or Durant
Tall ball: Lebron or Magic / KG / DRob / Hakeem / Jokic
Defend the 3: Dumars or Lebron / MJ / Pippin / KG / DRob
Down 2, final possession: Curry / MJ / KD / Bird / Jokic
For my team, I value versatility as a whole. In particular, I wanted elite defense at every position as well as shooting.
PG: Magic Johnson / Lebron James / Joe Dumars
SG: Michael Jordan / Steph Curry
SF: Kevin Durant / Scottie Pippen
PF: Larry Bird / Kevin Garnett
C: Hakeem Olajuwon / Nicola Jokic / David Robinson
Magic - Ball-dominant, yes. But to me, he's the greatest leader and playmaker. He elevates his team on the court as well as mentally. His efficient midrange and junior skyhook are also nice to have. I envision him starting to push a lead. He may not end a close game on defense, however.
Lebron - Another oversized, ball-dominant PG or point-forward. He'll be the consistent workhorse for the team, providing more defense than Magic at the end of games. Except for specific lineups (see below), he ideally would not share the floor with Magic.
MJ - Perhaps the GOAT defender at SG...or the GOAT in general. Efficient midrange and finishing. He would get big minutes.
Steph - Curry off-ball is just as deadly since he's the GOAT shooter. If I wanted more motion offense, he can obviously slide down to PG.
KD - One of the GOAT shooting forwards and off-ball players in history. He can shoot at any range and at his peak, was a good defender.
Scottie - The inverse of KD. Arguably the GOAT SF or wing defender that can guard all 5 positions, 4 really well. Can even serve as a point-forward if needed.
Larry Bird - I placed him at PF for spacing as he actually did play PF and has the size for it. Right up there with Dirk as the GOAT PF shooter if you consider him as such. Not to mention, he's one of the best off-ball players, racking up assists without actually playing point-forward.
KG - Perhaps the GOAT help defender, solid midrange, can rebound and guard all 5 positions really well.
Hakeem - One of the GOAT rim protectors. Has the footwork to guard all 5 positions from the center position. Dreamshake can be devastating in the post and he can offer different looks with his face-up game. He would probably have to hold back on offense, however, with a stacked team.
Jokic - The Goat passing bigman. He can shoot from any range and has historic efficiency. BBIQ is up there with anyone in history. I previously had Kareem in this slot, so that tells you how much I value his skills.
DRob - He's my 3rd center in case we're going up against an imposing front line (Shaq, Wilt, Kareem, etc). Like Hakeem, one of the GOAT rim protectors and can guard all 5 positions. He'd be willing to take a more passive role on offense to concentrate on defense.
Joe D - The elephant in the room. How does Joe make this squad? A small part is a homer pick, admittedly. But I wanted a combo guard that can shoot, create, play PG and defend. I also wanted someone who isn't an alpha, wouldn't mind deferring and having low usage relative to his offense. With so many options at guard already, he's only going to play spot minutes but won't hurt the lineup at all. And being a smaller defender, he offers a different look vs the smaller quicker guards.
Honorable Mentions: If my life was on the line, I MIGHT reconsider Dumars. Therefore, I considered:
Kawhi - MJ lite with better 3-ball but worse passing. Not really a good playmaker, but he's #1 if I opted to replace Joe as Steph slides to PG.
Reggie - IMO, tied with Curry for the best movement without the ball. RIP might be up there as well. Although what he offers is great, he's too 1-dimensional especially when I already have Curry.
Klay - If 3&D is all you want to add. Not really a creator.
Mitch Richmond - A more well-rounded Klay since he can create. Worse off-ball, however.
Kobe - MJ lite. Joe offers less in a vacuum, but Kobe potentially reduces the team's overall efficiency. Example: Pass to an open Kobe at the 3. Defender closes and he posts up. Double comes and he shoots a fadeaway and misses. Instead, Joe either resets and passes to someone else in better position or shoots the open 3. I know Kobe can shoot the open 3, but Joe is better at it...hence my point.
Wade - similar to Kobe.
Gary Payton - Just to round out the GOAT of PG defenders. But he's not a 3 point shooter and we don't need his post-ups.
Kareem - As mentioned, Jokic took his spot. Originally, I wanted someone who can score from the paint at a high % while being able to hit free throws (hence, no Shaq either). The nigh unblockable sky hook was icing on the cake. But once Jokic showed up, I couldn't ignore him. Kareem has the greater NBA career by far but for this team, Jokic stands out more.
Dirk: Was going to use him as a stretch 5 but like Kareem, Jokic replaced him.
As you can see, I have a good mixture of alphas and "betas" (Joe, Pippin, KG, DRob) that don't mind sacrificing their offense for defense or setting up teammates. With this much versatility, here are some of the possible lineups depending on the situation:
Defense heavy: MJ / Pippen / KG / DRob / Hakeem
Overall offense: Magic / Curry / MJ / Bird or Durant / Jokic
Balance (shooting and defense): Dumars / MJ / Durant / Bird / Hakeem
Shooting: Dumars / Curry / KD / Bird / Jokic
Fastbreak/Showtime: Magic / MJ / Pippin /Lebron /Drob (this would be amazing to see!)
Small ball: Dumars / Curry / MJ / Pippin / Lebron, Magic, Bird or Durant
Tall ball: Lebron or Magic / KG / DRob / Hakeem / Jokic
Defend the 3: Dumars or Lebron / MJ / Pippin / KG / DRob
Down 2, final possession: Curry / MJ / KD / Bird / Jokic