Author: Chris

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets

Our next Sweet Sixteen match features two teams who have embraced the modern day basketball revolution. The Warriors, featuring the best shooting backcourt (and team) in NBA history, are in the middle of an historic two-year stretch of dominance. The Rockets, led by General Manager Daryl Morey, have helped to popularize the analytics movement, and have built an annual contender around these principles. Despite these similarities, both of their all-time teams are built from the inside-out, with dominant big men serving as the primary option on each squad. Who has the advantage between the All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets?

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets

Key Matchups

Battle of the starting big men: Each team features a Twin Towers configuration in their starting lineup with two of the greatest big men in NBA history. The Warriors feature the indomitable Wilt Chamberlain, the greatest scoring machine in league history, alongside Neil Johnston, a pioneering big man who was one of the best players of his generation. The Rockets feature the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest all-around centers in league history, alongside Moses Malone, the greatest offensive rebounder who ever lived. The matchup between Chamberlain and Olajuwon will be particularly noteworthy, as they are two of the most athletic big men to ever play the game.

Olajuwon gets ready for the biggest challenge of his career - Wilt Chamberlain Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Olajuwon gets ready for the biggest challenge of his career – Wilt Chamberlain
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Biggest Mismatches

Golden State’s three-point shooting advantage: The Warriors feature some of the best shooters in NBA history. Stephen Curry is the all-time leader in single season three pointers made, and he’s on pace to shatter that record in the 2015-16 season. Paul Arizin was one of the best shooters of his era, and Rick Barry had tremendous range from the small forward position. Off the bench, Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway were also excellent three point shooting threats. The Rockets feature Kenny Smith, one of the better shooters of his era, but they don’t have many other options to compete with Golden State from the outside.

Houston’s athleticism advantage on the wing: While Clyde Drexler and Tracy McGrady weren’t great shooters with Houston (shooting 33.9% and 32.2% from downtown with the team, respectively), they were tremendous athletes who could overwhelm their opponents in an open court game. Arizin was a great athlete for his era, but he and Barry do not have the size or athleticism to stop the Houston duo without help from their big men.

Houston’s big man depth: In addition to Olajuwon and Malone, Houston features a slew of Hall-of-Fame and all-star big men off the bench. They will attempt to frustrate Chamberlain with behemoths Yao Ming and Ralph Sampson, and will also substitute in Elvin Hayes and Rudy Tomjanovich to play alongside their centers. Golden State will give plenty of minutes to Hall-of-Famer Nate Thurmond, a defensive specialist, alongside Chamberlain, but they’ll have their hands full trying to contain all of Houston’s low post options.

X-Factor

Defense: Will either of these teams be able to stop the other? Houston has Olajuwon, one of the greatest defenders ever, and can pair him up with Elvin Hayes or Otis Thorpe when they need stops. Golden State can feature a defensive frontcourt of Chamberlain, Thurmond, and Tom Gola, and can pack the paint without fearing Houston’s three-point shooting.

Results

Golden State’s inside-out game proves to be too much for the Rockets to handle. Despite the best efforts of Olajuwon and Malone, the Rockets are unable to match Golden State from three-point range, and the Warriors advance.

Warriors win, four games to two.

Next Round

Golden State faces the All-Time Spurs.

All-Time San Antonio Spurs vs. All-Time Sacramento Kings

Our next Sweet Sixteen match has a David vs. Goliath feel to it. On one side is a franchise that has become the gold standard in the sport, with 18 straight 50 plus win seasons (including the 1999 lockout, when they were on pace to win 61 games) since Tim Duncan arrived in 1997-98. On the other side is a franchise that has only won 50 games or more seven times in their 67 year history, and has failed to make the playoffs since the 2005-06 season. Is the battle between the All-Time San Antonio Spurs vs. All-Time Sacramento Kings one-sided? Or will the Kings’ long history help them advance in our tournament?

Spurs vs. Kings 2

Key Matchups

Sacramento’s offense vs. San Antonio’s defense: Sacramento has a roster built for high-scoring, fastbreak basketball. They have a lethal penetrator (Tiny Archibald), great shooting off the bench, and two starting big men who can shoot (Jerry Lucas) and pass (Chris Webber) like guards. They also have one of the finest all-around players in NBA history, Oscar Robertson, to get them tough baskets when needed. The Spurs feature three former NBA Defensive Players of the Year (David Robinson, Alvin Robertson, and Kawhi Leonard), along with Tim Duncan, one of the greatest team defenders in NBA history. If the Kings’ perimeter options get hot, expect a lot of minutes from Alvin Robertson and Leonard to try to slow them down. Coach Gregg Popovich may put the 6’7” 230 lb Leonard on Oscar Robertson during crunch time, to minimize his post-up game and to force him to try to score inside over the Spurs’ twin towers.

Biggest Mismatches

San Antonio’s size vs. Sacramento’s lack of size: The Spurs feature two of the greatest big men in NBA history, 7’0” 250 lb Tim Duncan, and 7’1” 235 lb David Robinson starting alongside one another. They also have 7’2” 240 lb Artis Gilmore coming off the bench. The Kings don’t have any seven-footers on their roster, and they’re starting a natural power forward (Chris Webber) at center. The Kings do feature one of the most prolific rebounders in NBA history, Jerry Lucas, at power forward, along with one of the greatest rebounding guards ever, Oscar Robertson. However, they both played in an era where teams missed an abundant number of shots, which inflated the raw rebounding totals seen at that time. It’s hard to believe that San Antonio won’t have an advantage on the boards in this series, and they’ll also have a decided advantage in protecting the paint on defense.

San Antonio’s offense vs. Sacramento’s defense: The Kings do not feature many players known for their work on the defensive end of the court. The Spurs have two former scoring champions (George Gervin and David Robinson), along with a plethora of scoring threats from both inside and out. It’s unclear how Sacramento will be able to stop San Antonio in this series, so they’ll have to outscore them to have a chance to succeed.

X-Factor

Can the Kings’ shooting keep them in this series? In addition to being a very perimeter-oriented team, Sacramento does not have the size to compete against Duncan, Robinson, and company inside, as described above. Sacramento has five Hall-of-Famers in their backcourt, one of the greatest shooting small forwards ever (Peja Stojakovic) and a starting power forward with a deadly mid-range jump shot (Jerry Lucas). Their best chance is to try to outshoot San Antonio, and to space the floor with three to four perimeter threats at all times.

Results

The Spurs offer the complete package on both ends of the court. While Oscar Robertson puts up a valiant effort, and the Kings’ shooters keep them in games, the Spurs dynamic big-man duo is too much for Sacramento to handle.

Duncan and Robinson celebrate another victory Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Duncan and Robinson celebrate another victory
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Spurs win, four games to one.

Next Round

San Antonio faces the winner of the All-Time Warriors vs. All-Time Rockets.

All-Time Miami Heat vs. All-Time Orlando Magic

Our next Sweet Sixteen match features the two youngest franchises remaining in our tournament. The Heat acquired many of their franchise icons through free agency and trades, led by the front office mastery of Pat Riley. The Magic used the draft (and specifically, holding the number one overall pick in the draft three times) to acquire many of their stars, all of whom helped them deliver a first-round upset over the Pacers. How do the All-Time Miami Heat vs. All-Time Orlando Magic compare to each other?

Heat vs. Magic 3

Key Matchups

Miami’s athleticism vs. Orlando’s athleticism: The Heat have one of the most athletic starting wing pairings in the tournament in Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The Magic have one of the most athletic starting backcourts in the tournament in Anfernee Hardaway and Tracy McGrady. Both have athletic big men who can protect the rim (Alonzo Mourning for the Heat, Dwight Howard and young Shaquille O’Neal for the Magic). The defensive matchups in the starting lineups will be fascinating; Tim Hardaway suffers from a huge size disadvantage, while Rashard Lewis will struggle to keep up with either of Miami’s wings. Will Miami dare put Hardaway on Lewis, so Wade and James can guard Penny Hardaway and McGrady? Who will Orlando put Lewis on?

Miami’s small-ball lineup vs. Orlando’s small-ball lineup: Miami’s jack-of-all-trades, LeBron James, will play power forward at times, and will be surrounded by shooters in this configuration (most notably Eddie Jones and Glen Rice off the bench). Stan Van Gundy had great success in Orlando surrounding a big man with four shooters around him, so expect him to utilize this tactic and stagger O’Neal and Howard’s minutes with Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and Dennis Scott alongside them both.

Biggest Mismatches

LeBron James vs. Orlando’s small forwards: It’s unclear how Orlando will guard James in this series. Rashard Lewis has the length to bother him, but doesn’t have bulk or elite athleticism. Tracy McGrady has the athleticism and length, so he’ll see plenty of minutes on James, but he’ll likely start each game on Dwyane Wade. Expect Nick Anderson to get many minutes alongside Hardaway and McGrady to help Orlando match up better with Miami.

Orlando’s size vs. Miami’s size (in the starting lineup): Orlando’s starting big men (Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard) are far bigger and bulkier than Miami’s (Alonzo Mourning and Chris Bosh). Orlando also has the tallest backcourt in the tournament, and a 6’10” starting small forward. There’s no good defensive matchup for Tim Hardaway, who may cede a lot of minutes to Eddie Jones and Glen Rice since Miami already has two ball-dominant players in Wade and James.

X-Factor

In the mid-1990s, the Magic had the makings of an NBA dynasty. Shaquille O’Neal was one of the greatest prospects ever coming out of college, and Penny Hardaway made two all-NBA first-team appearances in his first three seasons in the league. However, they never fulfilled those expectations, getting swept out of the playoffs in the first round (1994), the NBA Finals (1995), and the Eastern Conference Finals (1996), before O’Neal left the team via free agency. In 2010, the Heat had the one of the greatest free agency coups in sports history, re-signing Wade and signing-and-trading for James and Bosh. In their four years together, that group became champions, making four straight NBA Finals berths and winning two championships.

Results

These two franchises engage in a classic battle. While Orlando has the talent to defeat Miami, the Heat have the championship mettle, and James shines as the best player in the series. It’s party time in Miami.

Miami_Heat_The_Big_3_CelebrationParty

Heat win, four games to three.

Next Round

Miami faces the All-Time Celtics.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Milwaukee Bucks

Our first Sweet Sixteen match features perhaps the greatest franchise in NBA history facing off against a former powerhouse who has struggled to stay relevant in recent seasons. Is this a mismatch? Or can Kareem Abdul-Jabbar carry his team to another upset victory? Here is the battle between the All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Milwaukee Bucks.

Celtics vs. Bucks 2

Key Matchups

Bill Russell, Dave Cowens, and Robert Parish vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Vin Baker: Milwaukee’s biggest strength, the play of their legendary big man, will be tested by Boston’s trio of Hall-of-Famers. Russell never had a chance to play against Jabbar, but Cowens and Parish had extensive experience going against him. Cowens played against the Milwaukee version of Jabbar in the 1974 NBA Finals, and unsurprisingly struggled to slow him down (Jabbar averaged 32.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, and shot .524 from the field, while Cowens averaged 22.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, and shot .439). Jabbar doesn’t have a true backup center, however, so he’ll have to play big minutes in this series. The fastbreak ability of Russell and Parish, along with the bruising relentlessness of Cowens, may wind up wearing him down.

Boston’s bench vs. Milwaukee’s bench: The Celtics feature a bench without any weaknesses. Milwaukee has a solid bench, led by their dynamic point guard duo (Oscar Robertson and the underrated Sam Cassell), but they’ll be hard pressed to stay with the Celtics’ Hall-of-Famers.

Biggest Mismatch

Boston’s big man depth vs. Milwaukee’s big man depth: In addition to their three centers, the Celtics have Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, and Tommy Heinsohn, all of whom can play power forward. Milwaukee only has Vin Baker and Terry Cummings besides Jabbar, so they’ll have to play some small-ball lineups featuring Marques Johnson or Bob Dandridge at the four.

Expect the Celtics to swarm Abdul-Jabbar Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Expect the Celtics to swarm Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

X-Factor

The first season for Milwaukee was 1968-69, which was the final year of Bill Russell’s Celtics dynasty. Six players on the All-Time Celtics team had already established themselves in Boston before the Bucks even existed. Boston had a 22 year head start on Milwaukee, and won 10 titles in that time (and an 11th in the Bucks’ first year of existence).

Results

The Celtics use their great depth to outlast a game Bucks team. The old guard celebrates another playoff victory.

Red_and_Me_Part_Two_Bill_Russell_and_Red_Auerbach

Celtics win, four games to one.

Next Round

Boston faces the winner of the All-Time Magic vs. All-Time Heat.

All-Time Boston Celtics Team

All-Time Boston Celtics Team Infographic 4

Our last profile details the top seed in our tournament, the All-Time Boston Celtics Team. Not surprisingly, every single player on this roster is either already in the Hall of Fame, or will be inducted as soon as they are eligible. They have the most combined all-star game and all-NBA appearances of any franchise team, and have some of the most recognizable names in basketball history. They also have perhaps the tournament’s most balanced roster, with a mix of offensive and defensive play makers that will confound their opposition.

Bob Cousy is the easy choice for starting lead guard. Cousy was the premier play maker of his era, capturing eight straight assist titles from 1953 to 1960. After his rookie year, he made the All-NBA first team for 10 straight years, and helped Boston capture six titles in his final seven seasons. Speaking of championships, the starting two guard, Sam Jones, helped Boston win 10 titles in his 12 seasons with the team. While he wasn’t as decorated as some of his contemporaries, he was well known for his clutch play, as his legendary teammate once described (quoted from Elliot Kalb’s entertaining book, Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball?): “Whenever the pressure was greatest, Sam was eager for the ball. Sam Jones had a champion’s heart. Under pressure, we had hidden on our team a class superstar of the highest caliber…in the seventh game of a championship series, I’ll take Sam over any player who’s ever walked on a court.” Jo Jo White, the backup point guard, was a key member of the Celtics’ two championship teams in the 1970s. His long Boston career allowed him to edge out Dennis Johnson, another worthy candidate, who is among several legends to miss the cut for this stacked roster. Bill Sharman is the backup two guard, and is among several bench players who have a convincing case for inclusion in the starting lineup. He was among the greatest free throw shooters in NBA history, and may have been the best shooter of his era.

Larry Bird, the starting small forward, is among the greatest players in NBA history. He captured three straight MVP awards from 1984 through 1986, and was one of the greatest shooters and passers who ever played at his position. Kevin McHale, who earned this author’s vote as the ninth greatest power forward in history, will start at the four. McHale was a master in the low post, and doubled as a defensive stopper who could guard a range of positions effectively. Off the bench, John Havlicek was one of the greatest forwards in NBA history, and was also an overqualified sixth man at the beginning of his career, who will fill that role for this team as well. Known for his clutch play and his tireless energy on the basketball court, “Hondo” was one of the game’s greatest all-around players, and he’ll play at both shooting guard and small forward for this team. Paul Pierce was one of the best pure scorers in team history, averaging over 25.0 PPG five times in his career, during a low-scoring era. He’ll also play both two guard and small forward, and he adds another three-point shooting threat to the roster. Tommy Heinsohn is now best known for his role as a beloved homer announcer, but he was first a Hall-of-Fame player (and coach) who could play both forward positions.

Bill Russell, perhaps the greatest defensive player in NBA history, is the starting center. Russell famously won 11 championships in his 13 seasons, an unfathomable record that is likely never to be broken in any of the four major sports. His unique impact was recognized by his peers, as he was voted MVP five times in an era when players voted on this award. He was also a phenomenal passer who will combine with Cousy and Bird to give Boston arguably the best passing starting lineup in the tournament. He’s backed up by Dave Cowens, who made up for his (relatively) small stature with an unrelenting work ethic. Cowens led the team to two titles in the 1970s, and he was another excellent passer for his position. The third center, Robert Parish, was a stoic pillar of the 1980s championship teams who was remarkably consistent in his 14 years with the franchise. Ed Macauley and Kevin Garnett are notable omissions from this deep frontcourt, both of whom would warrant inclusion on almost any other franchise team.

This team should be able to wear opponents out with their great depth. With 17 championships, they are our top-seeded team, and face the All-Time Milwaukee Bucks team in the second round of our tournament.

Coach: Red Auerbach

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .588

All-Time Brooklyn Nets vs. All-Time Los Angeles Clippers

Our next match features two big-market teams that have accomplished very little in their time in the NBA. While the Nets had a brief run as a juggernaut in the ABA, they’ve mostly been a laughingstock since, save for a noteworthy stint behind a Hall-of-Fame point guard in the 2000s. The Clippers had a promising start as the Buffalo Braves, but then became the worst franchise in sports, before finally trading for another Hall-of-Fame point guard and becoming an annual contender over the past four seasons. These point guards are the featured match up in the battle between the All-Time Brooklyn Nets vs. All-Time Los Angeles Clippers, which will produce an unlikely second round participant in our tournament.

Brooklyn’s Advantages

Balance: The Nets have a well-constructed starting lineup. They have a low post scorer (Derrick Coleman) along with a bruising rebounder (Buck Williams). They have two athletic wings, both of whom can shoot from deep and slash to the rim (Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson). They also have a great floor general who will double as their premier perimeter defender (Jason Kidd). This unit will cause trouble for the Clippers’ power forward heavy lineup.

Wing Depth: The Nets are well-positioned to take advantage of one of Los Angeles’s biggest weaknesses, wing depth. Carter, Jefferson, and Kerry Kittles are all between 6’5” and 6’7”, and are all supremely athletic. Los Angeles may have to play at a slower pace to mitigate this issue and wear Brooklyn out with their assortment of big men.

Brooklyn’s Question Marks

Star Power: This is a relative term; the Nets have a potential Hall-of-Fame backcourt and all-stars littered throughout their roster. However, they only have two players with a PER above 20, and Carter has their highest WS/48 total at .148, a relatively low team-high compared to other franchises in this tournament. The Clippers appear to have more high-end talent, especially in their starting lineup, even if the pieces don’t fit together perfectly.

Los Angeles’s Advantages

Rebounding: The Clippers are starting three big men (Blake Griffin, Elton Brand, and Bob McAdoo), and have two former rebounding champions coming off their bench (Swen Nater and DeAndre Jordan). They should be able to control the glass in this series, and to wear out the Nets’ frontcourt in the process.

Los Angeles’s Question Marks

Spacing: How will the starting lineup function with Griffin nominally playing at small forward? Will the combination of Griffin, Brand, and McAdoo get in each other’s way, or mesh to form a dominant frontcourt?

X-Factor

Can the Nets exploit the Clippers big man lineup? The key for the Clippers will be Griffin, who has the athleticism to play credibly at small forward. Expect Doc Rivers to stagger Griffin, Brand, and McAdoo’s minutes after the opening of each game, and to play the athletic Corey Maggette heavy minutes at the three.

Results

The Clippers have been an NBA wasteland for the majority of their existence. However, they had a few respectable seasons back in their Buffalo Braves days, and they’ve been elite since Chris Paul has teamed up with Blake Griffin. They also lucked out by drawing the moribund Nets as their first-round tournament opponent. I can’t believe I’m about to type this. Do you believe in miracles?

Chris_Paul_Heroics_Lead_Clippers_to_Game_7_Victory

Clippers win, four games to three.

Next Round

Los Angeles takes on the All-Time Pistons.

All-Time Los Angeles Clippers Team

All-Time Los Angeles Clippers Team Infographic

Our next franchise was the epitome of failure for much of their existence. Led by the contemptible Donald Sterling, they managed to make only four playoff appearances in their first 33 seasons on the west coast, after moving over from Buffalo. Recently, three events have helped to turn around their fortunes and make them an annual contender. First, they used the first pick in the 2009 draft on Blake Griffin, a hyper-athletic forward who helped to electrify their fan base. Then, David Stern blocked a trade that would have sent the great Chris Paul to the rival Lakers, allowing the Clippers to ultimately land him in what became a laughably one-sided trade. Finally, Sterling became embroiled in a scandal that resulted in his banishment from the league, and forced him to finally sell the franchise. Now that their baggage has been removed, they’re poised to remain a contender for years to come, and an attractive free-agent destination for the first time ever. The All-Time Los Angeles Clippers team reflects this promise, with three contributors from the present-day team that make them more competitive than their franchise history warrants.

Several advanced statistics have Paul rated as the greatest point guard of all time. He’s third in league history in win shares per 48 minutes, behind Michael Jordan and David Robinson. He’s sixth all-time in PER, and first among point guards. While playoff success has eluded him, he’s one of the greatest players ever at his position, and his arrival immediately brought credibility to this franchise. He’s joined in the starting backcourt by Randy Smith, a throwback to the Buffalo Braves days who once set a league record for consecutive games played at 906. They’re backed up by Norm Nixon, a talented play maker who led the league in total assists in his first year with the club, and Corey Maggette, a high scoring wing whose knack for drawing fouls helped him compile a .578 true shooting percentage as a Clipper.

The starting frontcourt consists of three natural power forwards, each of whom brings a unique skill set to the table. Griffin has developed into one of the best players in the current NBA, with the rare ability to handle the basketball and initiate his team’s offense as a big man. Elton Brand helped to briefly resurrect the franchise in the 2000s by serving as the pillar of a young team that came within one game of reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2006. Although he didn’t have elite size (6’8”), he excelled at offensive rebounding and used his solid mid-range and post-up games to average over 20 PPG and 10 RPG in his Clippers career. Bob McAdoo is the most decorated player in franchise history. One of the greatest shooting big men of all time, he led the league in scoring three years in a row (1974 to 1976), peaking in the 1975 season, when he averaged 34.5 PPG and 14.1 RPG, and won the only MVP award in franchise history.

Off the bench, Bob Kauffman and Charles Smith can play at both forward positions. Kauffman was a three-time all-star who averaged 19.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 4.5 APG from 1971 to 1973. Smith is best known for this (and more recently, this), but as a Clipper, he was a high scoring option who twice eclipsed the 20.0 PPG barrier. Danny Manning was a multitalented power forward who should fit well alongside the other frontcourt options. Swen Nater and DeAndre Jordan are true big men who will provide this team with two physical options against opposing frontcourts. Nater led the league in rebounding in 1980, while Jordan has led the league in rebounding for the past two seasons, and in field goal percentage for the past three.

Despite never winning 50 or more games in their first 42 seasons of operation, the All-Time Clippers team has a good amount of talent. The 22nd seeded team in our tournament, they have a first-round match up against the All-Time Brooklyn Nets.

Coach: Doc Rivers

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .389

All-Time Brooklyn Nets Team

All-Time Brooklyn Nets Team Infographic

The All-Time Brooklyn Nets team is…lacking. It’s lacking the clear-cut greatest player in franchise history, Julius Erving, because he only played three seasons with the franchise (sorry Nets fans, but these are the rules of our tournament). It’s also lacking other greats such as Rick Barry and Drazen Petrovic, due to the same longevity issue. What we’re left with is an underwhelming group that reflects the team’s standing as an NBA also-ran and fails to adequately commemorate their two ABA championships. Even though those championships make them our 11th seeded team, their lack of high-end talent makes them susceptible to an early-round exit.

Since Erving is ineligible, the great Jason Kidd is the team’s best player, and is one of only three players to be a member of three of our all-time franchise teams (along with Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal). Kidd led the Nets through an historically weak Eastern Conference and to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. He’s joined in the starting backcourt by Vince Carter, an elite scorer in his time with the franchise, who represented them on three all-star teams. While the Carter-Kidd backcourt failed to put the team over the top from 2005 to 2008, they had complementary skill sets, and were lethal in the open court. They’re backed up by another three-time all-star, Bill Melchionni, who twice led the ABA in assists and was a contributor to the two championship teams in 1974 and 1976. Kenny Anderson, the talented New York product who never lived up to the enormous expectations placed on him, will serve as the third point guard. Otis Birdsong, a one-time all-star with the Nets, will back up Carter along with Kerry Kittles, a solid all-around player who ranks in the top ten in team history in field goals, three pointers, total points, and steals.

While Richard Jefferson, the starting small forward, was not Erving or Barry, he was a dynamic wing who played well off of Kidd. He became a competent three point shooter in his latter years with the franchise, and provided elite athleticism for his size. Buck Williams is the greatest big man in franchise history, and is the all-time Nets leader in games, minutes, field goals, free throws, rebounds (total, offensive, and defensive), rebounds per game, total points, and win shares. They’re backed up Kenyon Martin, a plus two-way player, who provided toughness and athleticism from the power forward position. Although he’s infamous for his 3-for-23 shooting performance in game six of the 2003 NBA Finals, Martin’s offensive game was well-suited for a complementary role, which he should be able to assume as an off-the-bench contributor for this team.

Although he was a natural power forward, Derrick Coleman will serve as the team’s starting center. Coleman was one of the most talented big men of the 1990s, who, unfortunately, developed a horrible reputation during his time with the franchise. Like Anderson, he didn’t live up to the enormous expectations placed upon him, but he was a two-time all-NBA selection who averaged a double-double in his Nets career. Off the bench, Billy Paultz was an elite ABA big man who was an excellent shooter for his size. Brook Lopez, the team’s current center, will also get minutes as a dangerous scoring threat who can use his elite size (7’0” 275 lb) to protect the rim.

This team consists of many solid pieces, but does not have the mix of hall-of-fame legends that many of their competitors in our tournament boast. They have an intriguing first-round match up with the Los Angeles Clippers, another also-ran who has only recently developed into a competitive franchise.

Coach: Kevin Loughery

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .440