What would the NBA look like if every team had their best player of all time? Part 1/3 (30–21).
The league is full of superstars and some teams have more than one. However, what would happen if every team gained the best player to ever lace up for them in their prime. Here are the 30–21 rankings and a breakdown of those teams.
30-New Orleans Pelicans
PG-Devonte’ Graham
SG-Josh Hart
SF-Brandon Ingram
PF-David West
C-Jonas Valančiūnas
The Pelicans are currently 25th in the league. Zion is yet to appear through injury and they have only won 6 games. The reason they have dropped down to last is that David West simply does not add more to the Pelicans than any of the legends coming in on the teams above them. Right now they are 25th in the league in 3 pointers attempted and David West doesn't fix that problem.
29-Oklahoma City Thunder
PG-Gary Payton
SG-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SF-Luguentz Dort
PF-Darius Bazley
C-Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
The Thunder are currently 26th with 6 wins. They drop 3 spaces as once again their superstar is not what they need. Don’t get it twisted, Gary Payton is incredible and one of the best defensive guards to ever play the game but the Thunder do quite well on defense. They are 13th in the league for average points conceded per game with 105.8 points. However, where the team lacks is on the offensive end, coming dead last in the league in points per game by averaging 98.5. Even with Gary Payton on the team, they would only move to 23rd in the league in points per game (using Payton’s career average).
28-Memphis Grizzlies
PG-Ja Morant
SG-Dillon Brooks
SF-Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF-Steven Adams
C-Pau Gasol
The Grizzlies are 15th right now. These next 2 teams are doing very well currently but the quality of their legend disadvantages them. This does not mean Pau is bad (obviously), in fact, as a Lakers fan, I am a huge Pau Gasol supporter. However, he doesn't have the same impact on the Grizzlies that some of the other legends would have. The Grizzlies are currently conceding more points than any other team per game and Gasol is not the defender that the Grizzlies need.
27-Cleveland Cavaliers
PG-Mark Price
SG-Colin Sexton
SF-Lauri Markkanen
PF-Evan Mobley
C-Jarrett Allen
The Cavaliers are currently 13th. This is a big drop however I think it is reasonable as this is the first season they have performed well since LeBron and it is not guaranteed that they will keep this form up. They don’t need much help on the defensive end as they are conceding the second least amount of points per game in the league but they are lacking on the offensive end, coming 25th in points per game. Price never averaged more than 20 points per game as he was more of a playmaker so he would boost those stats but once again the problem is that he just might not be enough.
26-Toronto Raptors
PG-Fred VanVleet
SG-Vince Carter
SF-Pascal Siakam
PF-Scottie Barnes
C-Precious Achiuwa
The Raptors are struggling at 23rd. They lost Lowry, DeRozan, and Kawhi in the space of 3 years and now they are plagued with injuries to Dragić, Gary Trent, and Anunoby. However, there is still hope as they have a Rookie of the Year candidate in Scottie Barnes. Vince Carter’s addition to this team would improve the offensive side but Carter was never the elite defender that the Raptors are missing.
25-Sacramento Kings
PG-Oscar Robertson
SG-De’Aaron Fox
SF-Buddy Hield
PF-Harrison Barnes
C-Richaun Holmes
The Kings are currently 24th, so this drop of 1 place is not that significant. The reason I have dropped them this place is that Oscar Robertson never had to shoot a 3 in his life and right now the Kings are 28th in the league for 3 point percentage. Robertson would also not improve the defense that much as he only makes the team shorter and Robertson is not a good enough defender to compensate for that.
24-Houston Rockets
PG-Jalen Green
SG-Kevin Porter Jr.
SF-Jae’Sean Tate
PF-Christian Wood
C-Hakeem Olajuwon
The Rockets are 29th making them the first team to move up. Hakeem Olajuwon coming back would only bring positives for the Rockets. They are 26th in the league in points scored and conceded per game, so who better than Hakeem to sort that out. One of the best defenders to ever play the game and one of the most dominant paint scorers. Hakeem is the perfect addition but I don’t think his company is experienced enough to support him and the spacing would be difficult as they are not the best shooters.
23-Orlando Magic
PG-Cole Anthony
SG-Jalen Suggs
SF-Franz Wagner
PF-Wendell Carter Jr.
C-Shaquille O’Neal
The Magic are currently 30th, so this is a similar situation to the Rockets as they rise significantly. The Magic also stuggle on both ends of the floor (which is why they are last) and just like Hakeem, Shaq is the perfect player for the Magic. The reason that I have them just above the Rockets is because their spacing is much better which is key when you form a team around Shaq as you need to give him space inside.
22-Detroit Pistons
PG-Isiah Thomas
SG-Cade Cunningham
SF-Jerami Grant
PF-Saddiq Bey
C-Isaiah Stewart
The Pistons currently stand in 28th place. Once again, another climb up the table and just like the others, it is because they have a player who will help the team unlock their potential. Isiah is perfect as he will be able to guide Cade and Killian whilst also being able to support the other players on the court with his incredible playmaking skills. The Pistons are 29th in points per game, so who better than former Assists Champ to up those stats.
21-San Antonio Spurs
PG-Dejounte Murray
SG-Derrick White
SF-Keldon Johnson
PF-Tim Duncan
C-Jakob Poetl
The Spurs currently sit 27th in the league so this is a massive improvement for them and it is expected when you add an all time legend in Tim Duncan. The only reason that the Spurs are not higher is because I just don’t think there is enough help for Tim Duncan to lift this team into up. The Spurs would mostly benefit from Duncan on the defensive end, as they are conceding 109 points per game which is 22nd in the league.
