Build The Dream NBA Team And We'll Reveal Which Team You'd Manage
- by Andrew Brethauer
- – on
- in Sports
In 1992 the United States Men's Basketball team had their pick of a huge talent pool of players to create the Dream Team that would go on to capture the Olympic Gold Medal. With so many great stars to select from, it's tough to think that anyone could have stopped them, and there is a reason the United States has been on top of the basketball world. Now you get to pick or pass on some of your favourite players and see who you would manage if you were in control of an NBA team.
So how are you going to build your team? Want a legend to anchor the lineup, or are you thinking defence first? And the ultimate question for any fan is, can you select a rival, someone who has handed your team defeat in the NBA Finals, even though they are considered one of the best in the game? It's a tough call to make, and it's why some armchair general managers are just that. But see who you would pick or pass on and what team you would manage based on this quiz. You really can't go wrong with these 50 players, as many are considered the best in the game in the past and of today.
Pick or Pass on LeBron James
If you want to a spot in the NBA Finals, pick LeBron James. He knows a thing or two, or nine, about getting there. King James has played in the last eight conservative NBA Finals and is a four-time winner of the league’s MVP Award.
Pick or Pass on Stephen Curry
It’s no big deal for Stephen Curry to shoot from beyond the three-point line. In fact, there isn’t much to him dropping three-pointers from even further. He may be the most deadly shooter in the game and is now the proud owner of three championship rings.
Pick or Pass on Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was the MVP during the 2016-17 season and holds the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42. That’s half the season. He also became one of two players to average a triple-double, points, assists and rebounds, for an entire season.
Pick or Pass on Kevin Durant
The back-to-back and reigning playoff MVP Kevin Durant wasn’t able to get it done in Oklahoma City, but a move to Golden State has made him a two-time NBA Champion. The former second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics could have a team built around him.
Pick or Pass on Michael Jordan
Are you going to pass up on who many consider the all-time greatest player in Michael Jordan? His Airness won the NBA Champion six times, and was the MVP in each of those victories, along with league MVP five times.
Pick or Pass on DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is one of the main reasons the Toronto Raptors are now a constant threat in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. He’s won a Gold Medal as part of the USA Men’s Olympic team when they won in Rio in 2016, and has been named an NBA All-Star four times.
Pick or Pass on Tim Duncan
Need a power forward? Then how about the greatest to ever play the position in Tim Duncan. The five-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA MVP and three-time Playoff MVP is the only player to ever be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for 13 consecutive years.
Pick or Pass on Kobe Bryant
If you are looking for the most dominate player between 2000-2010, look at Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, who could single handily carry the Lakers to victories. He won five NBA Championships with the Lakers, and was a member of the All-NBA team 15 times.
Pick or Pass on Shaquille O'Neal
The former first overall pick in 1992 by the Orlando Magic is considered one of the best big men to ever play the game. Shaquille O’Neal was a great player and personality for the game and won NBA Championship four times with two different teams.
Pick or Pass on Dwayne Wade
Dwayne Wade didn’t need his friends to win his first NBA Championship, as he did that by himself in 2006, winning the Playoff MVP as well. But then he teamed up with LeBron James and Chris Bosh and went to the Finals four straight years, winning two of them.
Pick or Pass on Larry Bird
Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game and played his entire career in Boston, winning three championships. He was part of the famous Dream Team at the 1992 Summer Games that took home a Gold Medal in dominate fashion.
Pick or Pass on Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon was another great NBA tall-man, winning two NBA Championships with the Houston Rockets in the 90s. This was a man drafted before Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. He led the league in rebounding twice and blocks three times.
Pick or Pass on Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was selected first overall in 2012 by New Orleans and has been a staple of the team since. He led Kentucky to the National Championship before turning pro and since become a five-time All-Star and holds the record as the youngest player to score 59 points in a game.
Pick or Pass on James Harden
James Harden was selected third overall by Oklahoma City and helped the team get to the NBA Finals. He has twice been named the MVP by the NBA Players Association, which is voted on by his peers, and led the league in scoring in 2018.
Pick or Pass on Chris Paul
Chris Paul is a former Rookie of the Year, has two Olympic Gold Medals, and led the NBA in assists four times and steals six times. The fourth overall selection in the 2005 draft is one of the highest paid athletes in the world, and is considering one of the game’s premier playmakers.
Pick or Pass on Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is considered one of the great power forwards to play the game and played 20 seasons in the league, one of seven players to do that, second to do it with one team. It’s with Dallas he won his only NBA Champion in 2011, winning the MVP that year as well.
Pick or Pass on Scotty Pippen
Many think of the 90s Chicago Bulls as Michael Jordan’s team, but Scotty Pippen was instrumental as well in helping them to six NBA Championships. He is regarded as one of the best small forwards to play the game, and is the only player to win Olympic Gold and an NBA title in the same year twice.
Pick or Pass on Kareem Abdul-Jabber
If you are going to talk about the best, Kareem Abdul-Jabber is in that conversation. He won the NBA Championship six times as a player, and when he retired, he was the all-time points leader, games played leader, minutes player and field goals made record holder.
Pick or Pass on Wilt Chamberlain
The great Wilt Chamberlain was over seven-feet tall and is considered one of the greatest to play the game, winning two NBA Championships in his career. He was a seven-time scoring champion, and scored a 100-point game, which still stands as a scoring record.
Pick or Pass on Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett was an intimidating power forward who helped lead the Boston Celtics to the NVA Championship in 2008. He averaged over 17 points per game in his career, and was a dominate force going to the net with Minnesota and Boston.
Pick or Pass on John Wall
John Wall was the first overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, selected by the Washington Wizards. He’s known for his speed and athleticism, along with elite vertical and horizontal quickness. Need a fast paced offence with explosive ball control from the top, Wall’s your guy.
Pick or Pass on Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry was drafted by Memphis in 2006, but it’s his time in Toronto where he has helped lead the Raptors to their best winning seasons that gets him noticed. He won gold with the USA Men’s Basketball team at the 2016 Olympics, and been named an All-Star four times with the Raptors.
Pick or Pass on Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins was drafted first overall by Cleveland in 2014, the second Canadian to ever be drafted first overall. After being dealt to Minnesota, he won the Rookie of the Year award, and averages over 19 points a game with the Bucks.
Pick or Pass on Steve Nash
Steve Nash is a two-time NBA MVP and is considered one of the greatest points guards to play the game. He had the ability to get the ball into tight areas with clean passes and could run the offence without even looking. He missed out on winning an NBA Championship, however, but still his number retired.
Pick or Pass on Damian Lillard
The 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year award went to Damian Lillard in a unanimous vote after he was drafted sixth overall in 2012 by Portland. He’s turned his short career into one with three All-Star appearances, and this season was named to the All-NBA first team.
Pick or Pass on Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman may have been an exotic player, but he was one of the game’s premier rebound specialists and helped the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls win a combined five NBA Championships. Defence wins championships, and a tough player like Rodman, dress or no dress, is tough to come by.
Pick or Pass on Karl Malone
Karl Malone was a two-time NBA MVP and 14-time All-Star, but it’s his over 36,000 points that made him one of the best players to ever play, as it put him second behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most all-time. He never won a NBA title, but did win gold with the USA Dream Team in 1992.
Pick or Pass on Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson was the first overall pick in 1979 and helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA Championships in nine appearances. He was also named NBA MVP three times, both during the regular season and playoffs. He also played with the Dream Team in 1992, winning gold.
Pick or Pass on Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, or the Greek Freak, is a talent guard know for this athletic ability with premier ball-handling ability, becoming the Milwaukee Bucks playmaker after the drafted him in 2013. He became the first player in league history to be in the top 20 during the regular season in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Pick on Pass on Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson doesn’t need practice, he just needs to be in the game. And the 11-time All-Star and MVP in 2001 knows a thing or two about playing the game, winning the Rookie of the Year award, and scoring title four times in his career as one of the elite shooting guards.
Pick or Pass on Charles Barkley
If you want to talk elite rebounding ability, look too Charles Barkley, who used his strength and aggressiveness to become one of the league’s best rebounders. It helped him become the fourth player in league history score over 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists.
Pick or Pass on Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh took over as the leader of the Toronto Raptors, but it was his time with the Miami Heat, when he joined LeBron James and Dwayne Wade to make the big three. There he helped the Heat win two championships in four years.
Pick or Pass on Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose was the first overall pick by the Chicago Bulls and was to help lead them back to greatness, earning Rookie of the Year and then he became the youngest player at 22 to win the MVP award in 2011 at just 22 years old. Injuries have slowed him down, however, but he was a dominate force in his early days.
Pick or Pass on Ray Allen
You want a clutch shooter when it matters, talk to Ray Allen, who is widely known to be one of the best three-point and free throw shooters in the game. The 10-time All-Star has won two NBA Championships, winning with Boston and Miami, and added Olympic gold in 2000.
Pick or Pass on Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is one of only six players to score 24,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, 1,000 steals, and 1,000 3-point shots in league history. As a member of the New York Knicks, he’s a 10-time All-Star, and was a scoring champion back in 2013.
Pick or Pass on Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd won his only NBA title in 2011, but also added two Olympic Gold Medals. He was drafted second overall by Dallas and was named co-Rookie of the Year. He was a constant triple-double threat with his ability to pass and rebound, and is second all-time in assists and steals.
Pick or Pass on Paul Pierce
As part of the Big Three in Boston, Paul Pierce helped lead the Celtics to an NBA Championship in 2008, where he also won the MVP award in the playoffs. He was a dangerous shooter, having made the fourth most three-pointers in NBA history.
Pick or Pass on Vince Carter
If you want to put your team on the map, look at Vince Carter, whose dazzling performance in the NBA All-Star game’s slam dunk competition helped make him a star with the Toronto Raptors. He achieved the feat of scoring over 24,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, 2,500 assists, 1,000 steals and 1,00 three-points, one of only six players to do so.
Pick or Pass on Yao Ming
Yao Ming was a Chinese player for the Houston Rockets who was the only player outside the USA to lead in the All-Star voting. The former first overall pick in 2002 and helped lead the Rockets to the playoffs four times. He helped spark Basketball in China and was an eight-time All-Star in the league.
Pick or Pass on Grant Hill
Grant Hill was considered one of the best all-around players in the game, especially at the college level, winning the NCAA National title twice with Duke before joining the Detroit Pistons where he was a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, as well as Rookie of the Year.
Pick or Pass on LaMarcus Aldbridge
LaMarcus Aldridge's fadeaway shot is his signature move and has helped him to five All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams. The former second overall pick in 2006 has spent time with Portland and San Antonio and has averaged over 19 points a game in his career.
Pick or Pass on Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol wan the Rookie of the Year award with the Memphis Grizzles in 2002, but it’s his time with the Los Angeles Lakers that he’ll be remembered, as he won two NBA Championships there. He also won two Olympic Silver medals with Spain and a bronze.
Pick or Pass on Gary Payton
Gary Payton won his only NBA title with the Miami Heat, but it’s his 13-year career in Seattle where the Glove made his name. He had tremendous defensive ability, and is considered one of the best point guards of all time, the only one to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Pick or Pass on Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin become known for his thunderous slam dunks when he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. He helped turn that team around for a short while, earing Rookie of the Year with them. He’s a five-time All-Star and won the Slam Dunk competition in 2011.
Pick or Pass on Reggie Miller
From beyond the arc, Reggie Miller was hard to stop, as when he retired, he held the record for most three-pointers made. He never won an NBA title, but is widely considered the best player to ever play for the Indiana Pacers, and won a gold medal with the USA at the 1996 Olympics.
Pick or Pass on Chris Webber
Chris Webber may be known for his time with the Michigan Wolverines Fab Five, where they lost both times in the final. Drafted first overall in the NBA by Orlando, Webber became a five-time All-Star, and was the Rookie of the Year in 1994, and league rebounding leader in 1999.
Pick or Pass on Draymond green
Draymond Green is one of the reasons the Golden State Warriors are so good. He joined them in 2015 and has since won three NBA titles, was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, and is a three-time All-Star. He plays as a small center in what is known as the Death Lineup, and is known for his versatility.
Pick or Pass on Metta World Peace
Don’t let the name fool you, Metta World Peace, or Ron Artest as he was known before, is widely known to be one of the best defenders in the NBA. He won the NBA title back in 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers, and was an All-Star once in 2004.
Pick or Pass on Patrick Ewing
With Patrick Ewing, the New York Knicks made the NBA Finals twice, but never won. Ewing did win two Olympic Gold Meals with the USA, and he is widely considered one of the best centers to play the game, having been named to 11 All-Star games, as well winning an NCAA Championship.
Pick or Pass on John Stockton
Want one of the best point guards of all time? John Stockton may be the guy, as he holds the NBA record for most career assists and steals by a large margin. The 10-time All-Star never won the NBA Finals, but was part of the 1992 Dream Team that won Olympic Gold.