Build A Dream NBA Team And We'll Reveal Who'll Win This Year's Championship
- by Andrew Brethauer
- – on
- in Sports
There hasn't been a lot of parity in the NBA over the last couple of years, especially if LeBron James is on the team, but even with the Golden State Warriors locking down the top spot in the league for another season, earning their third NBA Championship in four seasons, there is still plenty of teams who can make a run for the title this year, especially considering LeBron has moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, freeing up a new team in the East to compete for a championship.
Think about it, the last team from the Eastern Conference to make it to the NBA Finals without LeBron on the team was the Boston Celtics back in 2008, and they had their own Big Three to help get them there. So who takes it this year? Obvious favorite Golden State, or do the Lakers with James became a contender overnight. And who from the East takes the spot the James' led Heat and Cavaliers have vacated now that the King has moved to the Western Conference? Will we see a brand new champion who hasn't ever won one, and could the trophy move to Canada with the Raptors finally getting their first franchise victory. Take this quiz and we'll reveal who the NBA Champion will be in 2019!
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is arguably one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, and is known to hit three-point shots from incredibly far distances. He has helped lead the Golden State Warriors to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them, while also winning two NBA MVP awards in 2015 and 2016.
LeBron James
The King, LeBron James, may be the greatest player to ever play the game, as he has reached the NBA Finals eight consecutive times, nine times in total. He has won three NBA Championships, four MVP awards and is a three time MVP of the NBA Finals.
James Harden
James Harden is one of the best shooters in the NBA, as well as one of the best players, having already won a league MVP award, which he did last season. He has been to one NBA Finals with Oklahoma City, but now he leads the Houston Rockets. He averaged over 30 points this past season and has an Olympuc gold medal.
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan was the ninth overall pick of the Toronto Raptors in 2009, and has been a four-time All-Star, and helped lead the Raptors to the top of the Eastern Conference. He was also a member of the USA men’s basketball team that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was the fourth overall pick of the then, Seattle SuperSonics, before they moved to Oklahoma City. Since moving, Westbrook has been one of the best in the league, earning MVP honors in 2017, while he also led the league in scoring in 2015 and 2017.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 and became one of the big through that would help turn the franchise around fast and help them appear in four consecutive NBA Finals. Irving would be on the 2016 championship team that ended Cleveland’s drought of championships.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons was the first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018. In his first season he started 81 games, logged more than 33 minutes a game, and averaged 15.8 points per game.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is one of the strongest defensive players in the league, having won Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. He’s also been an NBA Champion, as he was part of the San Antonio Spurs 2014 championship team where he was also named NBA Finals MVP.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell was the 13th selection in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, and was named to the All-Rookie Team after his first season where he put up 20.5 points per game, while starting 71 games. He also won the NBA Slam Dunk Competition as a rookie.
Pick or Pass on Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, better known as the Greek Freak, was the 15th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013, and was named Most Improved Player in 2017, as well as a two-time All-Star the last two seasons. In five seasons with the Bucks, he averages 17.2 points per game and has started 328 games.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant was already one of the league’s best players before he joined the Golden State Warriors, but since then, he has helped the Warriors win back-to-back NBA champions, and has been the NBA Finals MVP for both of those victories.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his rookie season in Los Angeles, Ball played in just 52 games, averaging 10.2 points a game. With Ball comes his family and his dad LaVar, who prompts the families ‘Big Baller Brand’.
Chris Paul
Chris Paul was a fourth overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets, and has split time between them and the Los Angeles Clippers. He’s a nine-time NBA All-Star, was the Rookie of the Year in 2006, has been a four-time assists leader and has won two Olympic Gold Medals.
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry is credited for helping to lead the Raptors to the Atlantic Division title and their first playoff berth in seven years. He was originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies, 24th overall in 2006, but has played for Toronto since 2012, where he is a four-time All-Star. He won gold with Team USA at the 2016 Olympics.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players in the game is also one of six players to record at least 24,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, 2,500 assists, 1,000 steals and 1,000 3-point field goals. He was the scoring leader in 2013, and has been a 10-time All-Star.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart was the sixth overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 2014, and has played four seasons with them where he has most come off the bench. Over the last two seasons he has averaged 10 points per game, and has been a steady contributor off the bench for Boston.
Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz was the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, adding to their young core of talent. While he had a short rookie season, he did earn the record for the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol is a two-time NBA Champion, winning back-to-back titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2002, and has been a six-time All-Star. Now with San Antonio, Gasol brings experience and an average of 17.4 points per game.
Malone
Karl Malone was a two-time NBA MVP winner, and is second in all-time league scoring with 36,928 points, while also holding the record for most free throws made and attempted. He is considered one of the best power forwards in history, despite not winning an NBA Championship.
Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe was selected 18th overall in 2010 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was traded to Los Angeles Clippers where he spent three seasons before moving to Phoenix and now Milwaukee. He averaged 17.7 points with the Bucks in his first season where he started 74 games.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green has played four seasons in the NBA, all with the Golden State Warriors, and already has an impressive trophy cabinet of three NBA Championships. He’s a three-time All-Star, and was the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, and is an important member of the Warriors big three.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history and played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA Championships. He added two NBA Finals MVP awards, one league MVP award, and was a gold medalist twice at the Olympics.
Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008, where he played his first three seasons before moving to New Orleans. He was the NBA’s Sixth Man Award winner in 2017, won the three-point contest that year, and has played in 561 games. He won gold with the USA at the 2010 FIBA World Cup.
Vince Carter
Vince Carter is considered one of the greatest Toronto Raptors of all-time, and is one of only seven players to have played 20 seasons in the NBA. He got his name value when he won the 2000 Slam Dunk contest is dramatic fashion, earning a reputation for his ability to dunk the ball.
Paul George
Paul George is a five-time All-Star who was selected 10th overall in 2010 by Indiana. With the Pacers, he was named most improved in 2013, and awarded spots on the second-team All-Defensive team in 2013 and 2016, and first-team in 2014. For the last three seasons, he has averaged over 20 points a game.
Larry Bird
Considering one of the best basketball players to ever play the game, Larry Bird led the Boston Celtics to three NBA Championships, as well as two NBA Finals MVP awards and three league MVP awards. He was also a member of the famous ‘Dream Team’ that capture gold at the 1992 Olympics.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid was the third overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, and earned his first All-Star selection in 2018, as well both Second-team spots on the All-NBA and Defensive Teams. He has started all 94 games he has played for the 76ers, and averages 22 points per game.
LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge was selected second overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2006, but was traded to Portland right away. In nine seasons with Portland he earned four All-Star Selections and has earned two more with San Antonio. He has averaged 19.4 points per game in his career.
John Stockton
John Stockton is considered one of the best point guards to have ever played the game and was a great ball mover with the Utah Jazz. He holds the NBA records for both assists and steals, earned 10 All-Star game selections.
John Henson
John Henson was selected 14th overall in 2012 by the Milwaukee Bucks where he has turned into a starter after five seasons coming off the bench. He started 69 games, shot .572 from the field and helped the Bucks to the playoffs for four of the past six seasons.
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best centers in the NBA today, and was drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2010, where he played his first seven seasons. After a year in New Orleans, Cousins signed a deal with Golden State. He has won two Gold Medals with the United States men’s basketball team, including the 2016 Olympics.
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is one of the best point guards in the game, and helped lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals twice, winning it all in 2008. He’s a four-time All-Star, was the NBA steals leader in 2010, and is considered an elite facilitator in the NBA, and is ranked 11th in NBA history in triple-doubles with 41 total.
Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady was a two-time NBA scoring champion, leading the league in 2003 and 2004, as well as a seven-time All-Star. He originally was the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in 1997, and played for them, Orlando, and Houston most of his career.
Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh was the fourth overall pick of the Toronto Raptors in 2003, where he was a five-time All-Star. It was his move to Miami, however, where he got plenty of success with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, as the Heat won two NBA Champions with the big-three.
Steven Adams
New Zealand basketball star Steven Adams was the 12th overall pick in 2013 by Oklahoma, and has played 387 games with the team. He’s been a starter since his second season, starting 323 of those games and averaged 13.9 points a game last season as a center.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum was selected third overall in 2017 by the Boston Celtics and made the NBA All-Rookie team after starting all 80 games he played in, contributing 13.9 points per game, while shooting .475 from the field. In the playoffs, he upped his scoring to 18.5 points per game and is the future in Boston.
Dario Saric
Dario Saric was selected 12th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2017. Back in Croatia, he was named league MVP and earned top scoring honors. With the 76ers, he started 73 games last season, averaging 14.6 points per game.
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan played 19 seasons in the NBA and is considered the best power forward to ever play the game. He is a five-time NBA Champion, all with San Antonio, and a three-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA MVP and is the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.
Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles earned plenty of championships in other leagues, including the EuroLeague and Israeli league in 2014, and the National Basketball League in 2009. In the NBA, he was undrafted and ended up on Utah where he has played the last four seasons, with last year being his best season.
Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2012 draft where he played one season before being traded to Milwaukee. With the Bucks, he turned into a starter, and started all 82 games last season, averaging a career high, 20.1 points per game.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson was selected 11th overall by Golden State in 2011 and has played his entire career there, winning three NBA Championships in the last four seasons, while also being a four-time All-Star. He is one of the best shooters in the league, and has averaged over 20 points per game the last four seasons.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired from the NBA, he was the all-time leading points scorer in league history, a record he still holds today, with 38,387. He helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA Championships, and added one with the Milwaukee Bucks for a total of six all-time.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon, nicknamed the Dream, is one of the best big men to ever play the game, having led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. He was the first overall pick by Houstin in 1984 and spent nearly his entire career there, earning one MVP award and NBA Finals MVP awards for both championship seasons.
Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas was selected fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2011, and has played 440 games for the Canadian franchise. Other than his first season, he has averaged double-digit points. He represents Lithuania on the international scene, and earned MVP of their league before joining the Raptors.
Andre Robinson
Andre Robinson was drafted by Minnesota, but was traded for by Oklahoma on the day of the draft. While injuries slowed him down last season, he has been a constant starter for the Thunder over his 295 games played, and he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2017.
Al Horford
In college, Al Horford won back-to-back National champions with Florida in 2006 and 2007, before going third overall to Atlanta. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie team and has since been named a five-time All-Star. Except for season, Horford has put up double digit numbers and averages 13.8 points per game.
Allen Iverson
Don’t talk to him about practice, it’s all about the game when it comes to Allen Iverson. The long time Philadelphia 76er was named league MVP in 2001, and was an 11-time All-Star. He was also the Rookie of the Year in 1997 and was a four-time scoring champion between 1999 and 2005.
Tony Parker
Tony Park held San Antonio to four NBA Championships during his career, earning the NBA Finals MVP award for the 2007 championship. The six-time All-Star has played his entire career in San Antonio where he has averaged 15.8 points per game.
Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio was selected fifth overall by Minnesota where he played his first six seasons, averaging around 10 points per game. He was on the All-Rookie team in 2012, and has earned plenty of championships back in his home country of Spain.
Ray Allen
Ray Allen played 18 seasons in the NBA, and won two NBA Champions, one with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and another with the Miami Heat in 2013. Allen was a 10-time All-star and got his career started in Milwaukee, being drafted fifth overall in 1996.
