ADN

Here is SI's all-current, all-time, and all-future NBA teams

All-Current Team

PG Steve Nash - The best thing that ever happened to him was being spurned by the Mavericks. If he hadn't come to Phoenix, Nash may never have become the league's finest point guard.
SG Kobe Bryant - The league's most talented star feels his championship clock ticking away. There's no doubt he's good enough to drive the right group of teammates to another title.
SF LeBron James - The best small forward since Larry Bird, he drove the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals years ahead of schedule. His numbers last season -- 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists -- were MVP-worthy.
PF Kevin Garnett - Dirk Nowitzki was my choice for MVP last season based on his leadership of the league's best team, but with Duncan shifting to the pivot, there's no better power forward in the game than KG. Garnett produced 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 blocks last season.
C Tim Duncan - He'll go down as the best power forward in history, but Duncan is predominantly a center now -- which makes him the best center in basketball.
Reserves Shaquille O'Neal (C), Amare Stoudemire (C), Dirk Nowitzki (F), Manu Ginolbi (F), Dwayne Wade (G), Jason Kidd (G), Gilbert Arenas (G)

Coach Gregg Popovich - No coach has a better understanding of his players or how to use the regular season to prepare for the playoffs. Notice that you scarcely hear whispers from San Antonio that the Spurs are tiring of Popovich? That's the rarest quality among NBA coaches.

Source: Sports Illustrated

All-Time Team

PG Magic Johnson (LA Lakers 1979-91, '95-96) - With an unprecedented blend of size, open-floor athleticism and leadership, he led the Lakers to five championships and nine NBA Finals in 12 years -- a run that is second only to Russell's.
SG Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls '84-93, 94-98, Washington Wizards 2001-03) - He led the league in scoring each of the six years that he led the Bulls to a championship. Only George Mikan (twice, in 1949-50 and '51-52), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71) and Shaquille O'Neal (1999-2000) have been able to pull off that trick.
SF Larry Johnson (Boston Celtics '79-92) - More athletic in the open court over the first half of his career than legend has it, Bird was a threat to score or assist from any spot on the floor. He is arguably the greatest clutch shooter in history.
PF Tim Duncan (SA Spurs '97-Present) - The greatest power forward in history, he has become the Bill Russell of his generation. In an era when power forward is the NBA's best position, Duncan is at the top of the list as the league's most versatile player at both ends of the court.
C Bill Russell (Boston Celtics '56-'69) - Eleven championships in 13 years, including eight in a row. He invented the blocked shot and established the precedent that rings were more important than scoring titles. Russell is far and away the most important and influential player in the history of the game.
Reserves Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C), Shaquille O'Neal (C), Bob Pettit (F), John Havlicek (F), Oscar Robertson (G), Jerry West (G), Bob Cousy (G)

Coach Red Auerbach (Washington Capitols '46-49, Tri-Cities Blackhawks '49-50, Boston Celtics '50-66) - I'm going with Red on the basis of originality and courage, for putting forth the first all-black starting five in racist Boston. His relationships with players set the standard for future generations of coaches, as did his offensive and defensive systems. Phil Jackson has faced an entirely different set of circumstances in his era, and has done practically as well -- so no argument here for those who would prefer to put Jackson in this chair.

Source: Sports Illustrated

All-Future (2012) Team

PG Tony Parker - Parker was MVP of the Finals as a 25-year-old. Think how good he'll be at 30.
SG Kobe Bryant - He'll be 33 and as stubborn as Michael Jordan, which is to say he'll still dominate his position. Bryant's championship window will remain open for a long time.
SF LeBron James - In five years he'll just be approaching his peak at age 27. Frightening.
PF Amare Stoudemire - Picture him returning to his original position with new-found range -- out to the three-point line -- to go with his colossal explosiveness around the basket both as a finisher and shot-blocker. As a 29-year-old, he'll be an MVP candidate.
C Yao Ming - Rick Adelman's offense will bring out Yao's skills as a passer, making him impossible to defend. The center position won't go extinct after all.
Reserves Greg Oden (C), Dwight Howard (C), Chris Bosh (F), Kevin Durant (F), Dwayne Wade (G), Deron Williams (G), Chris Paul (G)

Coach Nate McMillan - If he can survive the next couple of years with his ultra-young roster, he could develop a Popovichesque relationship with Greg Oden. McMillan has the work ethic, defensive mind-set and integrity to become a championship coach.

Source: Sports Illustrated

I think he got the current all nba team right for the most part...Again, there may be some as good as, but none better...

Yea, but I think Dirk should be starting over KG. I guess it's partly because Dirk has been on a winning team, but I think it's an all-around better basketball player

Umm...tt..?

Dirk don't play no D...He's my dude, don't get me wrong...But he averaged less than a blocked shot a game last year, totally unaccpetable for a 7 footer...

Übermensch wrote:Umm...tt..?

Dirk don't play no D...He's my dude, don't get me wrong...But he averaged less than a blocked shot a game last year, totally unaccpetable for a 7 footer...

They call him Irk, 'cause he has no D :laff: