All-2000s NBA Team

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.

Back Up Point Guard: Allen Iverson

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. 

Starting Shooting Guard: Stephen Curry

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 at least 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 steals and 1,500 blocks would probably come in handy. 

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.