By Peter Linskey | Twitter: @Izzy_Legit
I was inspired to create my own All-2000’s NBA team from reading
Bleacher
Reports Adam Fromal’s article on the matter. He made some very nice, but pretty straight forward, picks. I took a little different route in selecting my players. Rather than just picking
the best players at each position, I choose players that I thought would make
the best team. I also took some minor liberties on what position players would
fit into. You may notice some very big names not on the squad.
When I think of a complete basketball roster, you always
need to have that one guy on the bench who you can put in to be instant
offense. Iverson would do just that. The Ankle Breaking King of
Philly would give this team a fantastic spark off the bench.
Back Up Shooting Guard: Ray Allen
What do I want my shooting guards to do? Shoot 3’s and score
points. Not too many people did that better in the NBA than Allen (40% career
from 3Pt and averaged 23 pts/gm during his prime). He was clutch, he was consistent
and would be the perfect spot up shooter that every team needs to win.
Back Up Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
I am a big Kawhi Bo-Bo. He plays some of the best defense in
the league while also being a legitimate threat on the offensive side of the
ball. A high end two way player. He is as close as you can get to a clone of LeBron James. Anyone with that kind
of comparison is a no brainer to have on my team.
Back Up Power Forward/Center: Marcus Camby
I like Camby here for many reasons. He would provide
interior toughness and energy that would be infectious to the rest of the squad.
Much like Dennis Rodman was to the 90’s Chicago Bulls teams, Camby wouldn’t need
to focus on scoring, but instead just do what he did best. Rebound and cause
havoc to the opponents in the paint (averaged almost 3 blocks a game over his
career).
Back Up Center: Dwight Howard
For how much Howard has completely fallen off from NBA relevancy, early in his career he was a force. He single handedly
carried the Orlando Magic to an NBA Finals (the MAGIC!). I like Dwight here for
much of the same reasons I like Camby coming off the bench. They would both
swallow up the paint with their defensive prowess, and every rebound would be theirs
(Howard averages double digit rebounds a game over his career).
Starting Point Guard: Steve Nash
While the hot trend in the NBA today is the “scoring point
guard” I still find myself liking players that fit the mold of the more
traditional guard where their main role is to set the pace, control the
offensive at put other players in the right position to make a play. No one did
that better over this time span than Steve Nash. He was the floor general for
arguable one of the best offenses in NBA history while in Phoenix, averaging
double digit assists per game, and shooting over 50% from the field during his time with the Suns.
What did I say earlier about what like my shooting guards to
do? Here’s a refresher. Shoot 3’s and score points. While I know Curry is “technically”
listed as a point guard, the move to shooting guard would be a seamless one.
Averaging nearly eight 3pt attempts a game (while shooting 44%) he already
takes enough shots to slide into the role of shooting guard. While having a
Nash/Curry starting 1-2 would give me a small backcourt (both only 6’3”) I feel
the versatility of my front court will amply make up for it.
Starting Small Forward: LeBron James
I really …. REALLY tried to find someone else for this spot,
but it was just too hard to keep him off. While I don’t necessarily like him,
the dude is a beast. At 6’8” and 250 lbs, LeBron can guard any
position on the court and pretty much do whatever he wants, whenever he wants to do
it. I think I’ll take that kind of power on my team.
Starting Power Forward: Kevin Garnett aka “The Big Ticket”
aka “The Kid”
KG was my childhood
superstar. I grew up watching the 6-foot, 12-inch tall superstar dunk and scream his way
through the league. No one was more intense than Garnett, and that is primarily
why I have him on this squad. Every team needs a player that annoys not only
the opposing team, but also their own. Keeps everyone on their toes and focused. Also being the only player to reach
Starting Center: Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq was a monster on the court. An unstoppable force that
bullied his way through opposing defenses. While pushing his way to averaging
24 points and 10 rebounds a game, Shaq was also a very polished player around the rim,
showing great finesse and
agility for a guy who was 7’1” and 325 lbs. Unless you fouled him, Shaq was
pretty much unstoppable.
