SI asked NBA players who they would start a team with

[NyCeEvO]

The reason why Dirk isn't on there is because they don't respect him as much as they respect Kobe.

We've all seen how much respect Wade, LBJ, Melo, and D12 respect Kobe. Playing on the Olympic team with them probably just made them like him even more.

How many PFs really point to Dirk as the best PF in the game?

For whatever reason, they don't like Dirk.

[dznutzz]

Pau? Nash? Eric Gordon? This list is bogus.

no linsanity therefore it's legit

[RunSunRun]

I wonder if people who keep bringing up Nash know that he has less wear and tear on his body than Kobe does, even though he is older in actual age.

Again though, these are players who made these results they know that everyone who has played with Nash has probably raved about how unselfish he is and how he helps them put up career numbers that eventually lead to more $$$

[og15]

I'm assuming the idea of if they are building a team is if they are the coach or GM, not if they are trying to play with another player, so career numbers and more money doesn't really have any effect on that. As an owner of GM, Nash "inflating" the numbers of a guy that is average to look above average doesn't really help you in the end when you pay him, lol

[miltk]

the mentality of a player?

well, let's see now.
d12 wants the ball more in crunch time,,,
melo wanted nyk to draft josh selby,,,
and then there's the bobcats

someone's asking the wrong people

[EscapoTHB]

Who is starting a team with Steve Nash? He's 40 and the Suns ARE basically starting a team with them, and they kind of suck.

[TheOUTLAW]

Because LeBron is the only player on that list that can take a team of bench players to 66 wins.

Or a team of franchise players to an embarassing Finals loss.

How was that loss embarrassing?

[TheOUTLAW]

Why is a Kobe bryant in his 16th season on that list. Its ludacris to start a franchise with a 33 year old guard...

He's actually still pretty good, but I contend that many of them weren't taking age into consideration.

[YFZblu]

Who is starting a team with Steve Nash? He's 40 and the Suns ARE basically starting a team with them, and they kind of suck.

The Suns actually play Sebastian Telfair and Shannon Brown at the same time during some stretches. I rest my case.

[butimnotarapper]

START a franchise with steve nash? lol why not just choose mutombo

[Tolverines]

I'm sure they didn't ask every player in the NBA or randomly pick names out of a hat and ask them to avoid bias. They probably asked a group of players on certain teams they got a chance to ask, which is probably the reason for guys like Gordon being on the list. None the less, it's not a bad list at all, I'd say its pretty good.

[AQuintus]

But then again that can't be true because of how high Nash is on the list.

Nash has a long history of making the players around him look much better than they are with his passing, so his inclusion makes sense. Same with Rubio.

[Doctor MJ]

Pau? Nash? Eric Gordon? This list is bogus.

I was all set to defend this list, but when I saw Eric Gordon's name I just got confused. I need to know more about what the players were actually asked. I can't imagine any in the world exists who would answer "Tell me the one player you'd most like to start a team with." with "Eric Gordon".

On the other hand, if the players were asked to name, say, 5 players they'd like to start a team with and a player thought he was supposed to think of young players, I could see Gordon's name popping into his head as he tried to round out his list.

[spedb]

Because LeBron is the only player on that list that can take a team of bench players to 66 wins.

Or a team of franchise players to an embarassing Finals loss.

How was that loss embarrassing?

not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7... 0!

[RunSunRun]

I'm assuming the idea of if they are building a team is if they are the coach or GM, not if they are trying to play with another player, so career numbers and more money doesn't really have any effect on that. As an owner of GM, Nash "inflating" the numbers of a guy that is average to look above average doesn't really help you in the end when you pay him, lol

1. You assume this is a well-thought out structured survey, this is SI. The questions were probably simple and wide open to interpretation by the players.

2. There is inherent bias when asked a question regarding who you would start a team with. Do you assume they mean as a full-time starter, a mentor, a player-coach? Again, its Sports Illustrated so they probably didn't think that far ahead and just wanted to gauge the names players threw out. As Nash is known as a generally good guy on and off the court, it makes sense that he would be mentioned if they took it to mean a player that would be a good veteran presence to put a team over the top or a guy who could mentor and help develop players. Again its open to interpretation.

3. The whole Nash inflating numbers does factor in if again you are looking for a PG to help put your team over the top. While it can be endlessly debated if Nash can win a championship with certain teammates, playstyle, and so forth, it can't be denied that most guys have career years playing with him. Thus, wouldn't you want a Nash-type on a team if you had Kobe and Dwight (just to pick two of the other top selections)? Most players are probably assuming you aren't just picking one of the top 10 and calling it a day, but rather picking multiple pieces to assemble a contender.

Of course, its SI so they probably just ran with this story for the "OMG LEBRONZ > KOBE" angle

[clevceltics]

That list makes pretty good sense to me. Kinda surprised that Gordon is so high. He does have alot of potential though. The one player that Im surprised not to see on there is DWill. I know he is supposed to be pretty quiet nonetheless Im still surprised.

[Desiderium]

if age wasnt a consideration, i'd put kobe at #1

[Sign5]

if age wasnt a consideration, i'd put kobe at #1

But it isn't which is why this list is terrible.

[clevceltics]

Well in a 3 year window, Kobe and Nash should still be pretty good

[NYK_89]

Pau? Nash? Eric Gordon? This list is bogus.

for a second i thought this was an absurd laker homer.... then i realized nope.. those guys are actually on it