One of the most enjoyable parts of working Willamette University Pro Hoop Camp during July is the chance to get together with friends I don’t get to see very often during the year. Every summer, we brainstorm and debate different topics. We posted a photo from our 1992 and 2012 Team USA player rankings on Facebook earlier this month. This debate, however, is much too big for a Facebook post.
We discussed each NBA team’s all-time starting five. There were a few emotional debates (no Kareem on LA, DJ over Rondo for Boston, do the Bobcats even deserve a team) but the biggest battles came once we fielded the playoff seedings. There were only 6 of us in the room, so I am sure we missed some players who deserve to be on there.
Look for yourself, and let the arguments begin!
Teams in alphabetical order by conference, playoff results at the bottom
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks Derek Harper Michael Finley Mark Aguirre Dirk Nowitzki Roy Tarpley
Denver Nuggets Chauncey Billups Allen Iverson Carmelo Anthony Dan Issel Dikembe Mutombo
Golden State Warriors Tim Hardaway Rick Barry Chris Mullins Chris Webber Joe Barry Carrol
Houston Rockets Kenny Smith Vernon Maxwell Tracy McGrady Yao Ming Hakeem Olajuwon
Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul Ron Harper Danny Manning Blake Griffin Elton Brand
Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson Kobe Bryant Jerry West James Worthy Shaquille O’Neal
Memphis Grizzlies Mike Bibby Rudy Gay Shareef Abdur-Raheem Zach Randolph Pau Gasol
Minnesota Timberwolves Stephon Marbury Wally Sczerbiak Latrell Sprewell Kevin Garnett Kevin Love
New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul Eddie Jones Glen Rice Larry Johnson Alonzo Mourning
Oklahoma City Thunder Gary Payton Ray Allen Kevin Durant Tom Chambers Shawn Kemp
Phoenix Suns Steve Nash Paul Westphal Connie Hawkins Charles Barkley Amare Stoudamire
Portland Trailblazers Terry Porter Brandon Roy Clyde Drexler Maurice Lucas Bill Walton
Sacramento Kings Mike Bibby Mitch Richmond Peja Stojakovic Chris Webber Vlade Divac
San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker Manu Ginobili George Gervin Tim Duncan David Robinson
Utah Jazz John Stockton Darrell Griffith Pete Maravich Karl Malone Carlos Boozer
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks Doc Rivers Dominique Wilkins Steve Smith Kevin Willis Dikembe Mutombo
Boston Celtics Dennis Johnson Paul Pierce Larry Bird Kevin Garnett Bill Russell
Brooklyn Nets Jason Kidd Drazen Petrovic Michael Ray Richardson Derrick Coleman Kenyon Martin
Charlotte Bobcats Raymond Felton Stephen Jackson Gerald Wallace Jared Dudley Tyson Chandler
Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose Michael Jordan Scottie Pippen Dennis Rodman Elton Brand
Cleveland Cavs Mark Price Ron Harper Lebron James Larry Nance Brad Daugherty
Detroit Pistons Isaiah Thomas Joe Dumars Grant Hill Rasheed Wallace Ben Wallace
Indiana Pacers Mark Jackson Reggie Miller Chuck Person Jermaine O’Neal Rik Smits
Miami Heat Tim Hardaway Dwayne Wade Lebron James Alonzo Mourning Shaquille O’Neal
Milwaukee Bucks Oscar Robinson Ray Allen Alvin Robertson Glenn Robinson Lew Alcindor
New York Knicks Walt Frazier Bill Bradley Bernard King Willis Reed Patrick Ewing
Orlando Magic Penny Hardaway Dennis Scott Tracy McGrady Dwight Howard Shaquille O’Neal
Philadelphia 76ers Maurice Cheeks Allen Iverson Julius Erving Charles Barkley Dikembe Mutombo
Toronto Raptors Damon Stoudamire Vince Carter Tracy McGrady Chris Bosh Marcus Camby
Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas Earl Monroe Antawn Jamison Chris Webber Wes Unseld
Eastern Conference Seeding
1. Miami 2. Boston 3. Chicago 4. Philadelphia 5. Detroit 6. Orlando 7. Milwaukee 8. Toronto
Eastern Conference Semi-finals Miami over Detroit Chicago over Boston
Eastern Conference Finals Miami over Chicago
Western Conference Seedings
1. Los Angeles Lakers 2. Portland 3. New Orleans 4. San Antonio 5. Houston 6. Oklahoma City 7. Utah 8. Phoenix
Western Conference Semi-finals Los Angeles over Houston Portland over Oklahoma City
Western Conference Finals Los Angeles over Portland
NBA Finals
Los Angeles over Miami
