Best Starting 5 That Did NOT Win NBA Title

Mentioned this on twitter the other night and got a bunch of responses.  My two (off the top of my head with no research or stats back up) were...

1993-94 ORLANDO MAGIC

PG: Penny Hardaway
SG: Nick Anderson
SF: Dennis Scott
PF: Horace Grant
C: Shaquille O'Neal

1995-96 SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

PG: Gary Payton
SG: Hersey Hawkins
SF: Detlef Schrempf
PF: Shawn Kemp
C: Ervin Johnson

I heard a lot of suggestions, but I stand by these two.   (I should probably point out that teams prior to the 1980s I did not include.  There was like 8 teams, and I went with what I know.)

Another criteria people seem to overlook was they guys had to be nasty THAT season.  Not for their career.

I got a lot of...

2003-04 LOS ANGELES LAKERS
PG: Gary Payton
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Devean George
PF: Karl Malone
C: Shaquille O'Neal

The Mailman was a shell of himself.  11.5 PPG in the playoffs.  D. George?  He went D3 so I respect him, but still.  Kobe/ Shaq are legit obviously, they did win 3 straight from 2000-02.  I understand this submission, but reject it.

Others I got...

1996-97 UTAH JAZZ
PG: John Stockton
SG: Jeff Hornacek
SF: Bryon Russell
PF: Karl Malone
C: Greg Ostertag

Two Dream Teamers and Three shit bums.  Ok, Horny could shoot, but I'm a no on late 90s Jazz.

Mid 1990s NEW YORK KNICKS
PG: Derek Harper
SG: John Starks
SF: Charles Smith
PF: Charles Oakley
C: Patrick Ewing

Strong.  I'll still take the Sonics or the Magic.

1996-97 HOUSTON ROCKETS
PG: Matt Maloney
SG: Clyde Drexler
SF: Mario Elie
PF: Charles Barkley
C: Hakeem Olajuwon

So, this is kinda like the 03-04 Lakers where a group of the starting lineup had won previously.  I know why people want to mention this group.  3 Hall of Famers!!!  Matt Maloney though?  Matt Maloney and Mario Elie?  I'll pass.


These last three teams I loved and deserve recognition.

1999-2000 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
PG: Damon Stoudamire
SG: Steve Smith
SF: Scottie Pippen
PF: Rasheed Wallace
C: Arvydas Sabonis

2001-02 SACRAMENTO KINGS
PG: Mike Bibby
SG: Doug Christie
SF: Peja Stojakovic
PF: Chris Webber
C: Vlade Divac

2004-05 PHOENIX SUNS
PG: Steve Nash
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Quentin Richardson
PF: Shawn Marion
C: Amar'e Stoudemire

Hmmm... Starting to think one of these teams could be the best ever not to win.  There's no right answer, but there are wrong answers and they include Matt Maloney.

5 Questions With DeAndre Liggins

Testing your Basketball IQ here with this one. I talked to Orlando rookie DeAndre Liggins prior to the Celtics 102-98 win over the Magic last night at the TD Garden. Here is what the 1st year man, and 2nd round pick, out of Kentucky had to say.

1. How has the whole Dwight Howard-Stan Van Gundy situation affected you guys, especially down the stretch of the season?

Liggins: What you talkin about?

1b. You know, that Dwight could pick Stan's fate, and the front office?

Liggins: Pick what? I don't know nothing about that.

1c. You think those two have a good relationship?

Liggins: Yeah they do. From my perspective I would say they do. That other stuff you are talking about I don't know what you are talking about, like Dwight picking. Especially me being a rookie, I definitely don't know.

2. How has Glen Davis been like as a teammate this year?

Liggins: He'd been great man. He's our emotional leader. He's been playing well, he just needs to continue to play well for us.

3. How did Coach Calipari help you get ready for the NBA?

Liggins: Yeah he... I mean he defined my game. That't what got me here, and I'm going to continue to do that.

4. Any regrets at all skipping your senior season after watching them [Kentucky] win it all?

Liggins: No. I mean I knew we had a chance if I came back to win it all. I knew they were going to win it all, so I just made my decision. I don't regret it or anything like that.

5. How would you assess your rookie year?

Liggins: I mean I'm happy even though I ain't playing, but I'm learning. Summer league is coming up so I'm excited about that. Just continue to work hard, that's all I can do.

-Keefe

Playoff Rotations: Eastern Conference

The trade deadline has passed in the NBA and now players who reached buyout agreements are talking to and signing deals with playoff teams. There are 6 contenders in the East. I think it's a clear Tier 1 (Celtics, Heat, Bulls) and Tier 2 (Magic, Hawks, Knicks). The 76ers are above .500, good for them, they can have Tier 3. But I will breakdown the 6 best teams in the East with what their likely playoff rotation will be. You tell me who is best equipped to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

TIER 1

Celtics:

• Rajon Rondo
• Ray Allen
• Paul Pierce
• Kevin Garnett
• Shaquille O'Neal
• Glen Davis
• Jeff Green
• Delonte West
• (Nenad Krstic/ Troy Murphy when needed)

Heat:

• Mike Bibby
• Dwyane Wade
• LeBron James
• Chris Bosh
• Center X
• Udonis Haslem
• James Jones
• Mike Miller (he can still shoot right?)
  
• Mario Chalmers (if Bibby & James foul out)
  

Bulls:

• Derrick Rose
• Keith Bogans (he'll start and that's about it)
• Luol Deng
• Carlos Boozer
• Joakim Noah
• Taj Gibson
• Kyle Korver
• Ronnie Brewer
• Kurt Thomas
• (Omer Asik depending on match up)
• (Brian Scalabrine for a victory lap)

TIER 2

Magic:

• Jameer Nelson
• Jason Richardson
• Hedo Turkoglu
• Brandon Bass
• Dwight Howard
• Ryan Anderson
• J.J. Redick
• Gilbert Arenas

Hawks:

• Kirk Hinrich
• Joe Johnson
• Marvin Williams
• Josh Smith
• Al Horford
• Jamal Crawford
• Zaza Pachulia
• Jeff Teague (maybe)

Knicks:

• Chauncey Billups
• Landry Fields
• Carmelo Anthony
• Shawne Williams
• Amar'e Stoudemire
• Toney Douglas
• Bill Walker
• Anthony Carter
• Ronny Turiaf

Unless he goes to the West, it appears that Corey Brewer will likely join one of these teams (specifically Tier 1). Each team has at least 1 All-Star. The Celtics have 4, Heat 3, Bulls 1 (but it's the MVP), Magic 1 (2-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year), Hawks 2, Knicks 2 (both started in the game.)

That's impressive. Throw in the fact that 4 of these teams will be matched up against each other in the 1st round, and you just know its going to be a great post season. I'm also pretty sure that all the teams dislike each other as well. Everyone hates the Celtics and the Heat. The Knicks can't be liked in the league, and they got an edge once again. I'm excited for April.


-Keefe