Overview

“Heroes of the Hardwood” (will fix poster when i get time) is a seven-man roster of basketball legends drafted by AK47spiderman for xphoenix87’s NBA Legends Tournament.  The NBA Legends Tournament is an 8-team single elimination tournament showcasing some of the best players in basketball history.  Because these matches showcase players from different eras coming together, a specific date/version of each player will be defined.  To complete the look and feel of a true team of legends, I have representation from all 7 decades of the NBA.

Roster and Analysis

1964 - Oscar Robertson - Point Guard - 6'5"

The Big "O" averaged an amazing 31.4 points, 9.9 rebounds 11 assists per game in 1964.  He was only four rebounds shy of achieving his second year of averaging a triple double for a season.  Robertson also led the league that year in Assists, Free Throw Attempts, and Free Throw Percentage.  He went on to win the Most Valuable Player award, All-Star Most Valuable Player award, and earned an NBA First Team selection.  Robertson was also a premiere defender in the league, however All-Defensive Team selections did not exist until five years later.  John Stockton would not have a chance in hell playing against The Big “O”.  Robertson was taller, stronger, quicker, more athletic, and more skilled with the basketball.  He would have had his way with Stockton, just as he did with all of the point guards in his era.  After totally raping Stockton up and down the floor in the first half, xphoenix87 would need to switch it up and have Michael Jordan try to finally contain Robertson.  This frees up John “Hondo” Havlicek to start raining BUCKETS.

Career:  NBA Champion, NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist, 12-Time NBA All-Star, 3-Time NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 9-Time All-NBA First Team, 2-Time All-NBA Second Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.  In May of 2006, ESPN named Oscar Robertson the second-best Point Guard of all-time, just behind Magic Johnson.

1974 - John Havlicek - Shooting Guard - 6'5"

In 1974, John “Hondo” Havlicek averaged 22.6 points, 6 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game.  He was one of the best defenders in the league, earning an All-NBA First Team selection as well as an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection.  He could have arguably won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, however the award did not exist until nine years later.  Havlicek went on to lead the Celtics to another championship while winning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.  Havlicek won eight Championships with the Boston Celtics, and is their all-time leader in points.  Havlicek would have a tough match-up against Michael Jordan, who is arguably the best basketball player in NBA history.  Being one of the premiere defenders in the league, he would have a slight advantage at containing Jordan.  Havlicek would neutralize Jordan’s offense, while at the same time Jordan would neutralize Havlicek’s.  If all else fails, Oscar Robertson could help double-team Jordan and force him to give up the ball.

Career:  8-Time NBA Champion, 13-Time NBA All-Star, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, 4-Time All-NBA First Team, 7-Time All-NBA Second Team, 5-Time NBA All-Defensive First Team, 3-Time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1981 - Julius Erving - Small Forward - 6'7"

Julius “Doctor J” Erving averaged 24.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in 1981.  Erving was known for his fancy style of play, athleticism, strength, quickness, and incredible slam dunks.  He was an unstoppable force at small forward in 1981 and was so dominant that he went on to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award.  At 6’11, Kevin Garnett has a good four inches on Erving.  That said, Erving is stronger and quicker than Garnett.  The height discrepancy would actually favor Erving and his care-free high octane style of basketball.  Garnett would have no answer to Erving’s post moves and explosiveness.  On the other side of the ball, Erving would man up and keep Garnett from getting too low on the block.  If Garnett does manage any successful at getting down low, Bob Pettit and George Mikan (who are both great shot blockers) would rotate to provide weak side help.  All that said, Garnett has proven time after time that he is not a winner.  Maybe the Doctor will be nice enough to let Garnett look at his 3 rings during pre-game warm-ups.

Career:  NBA Champion, 2-Time ABA Champion, NBA Most Valuable Player, 3-Time ABA Most Valuable Player, 11-Time NBA All-Star, 5-Time ABA All-Star, 2-Time NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 5-Time All-NBA First Team, 4-Time All-ABA First Team, 2-Time All-NBA Second Team, 1-Time All-ABA Second Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1956 - Bob Pettit - Power Forward - 6'9"

In 1956, Bob Pettit averaged an amazing 25.7 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.  Pettit was one of the most dominant big men in his era.  He achieved multiple scoring and rebounding titles.  He received two regular season MVP awards and an amazing four All-Star MVP awards.  Pettit once pulled down 40 rebounds in a single game.  Moses Malone is a good big man in his own right, but Pettit would be too limber and agile for Malone.  His finesse and incredible mid-range jumper would force Malone to come out on him.  This would leave the middle open for penetration with only a 6’7” undersized Center, Wes Unseld, to protect the bucket.  On the other side of the ball, Malone would have no easy task at posting up Pettit.  Bobby would give Malone a little lesson old-school style, swatting the rock into the third row.

Career:  NBA Champion, 2-Time NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, 11-Time NBA All-Star, 4-Time NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 10-Time All-NBA First Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1949 - George Mikan - Center - 6'11"

George Mikan "Mr. Basketball" averaged 28.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 1949.  Mikan is known as one of the pioneers of professional basketball.  His prolific rebounding, shot blocking, and hook shot dominated the league in the '40s and early '50s.  By the way, when I say dominated, I mean that Mikan won 8 championships in a 9-year period.  Mikan won two regular season MVP awards as well as an All-Star MVP.  He would have arguably won more, however All-Star games did not exist during his prime.  Wes Unseld would have NO chance at containing Mikan.  Mikan’s size and agility would run all over Unseld, forcing Moses Malone to help on a double.  This would open up movement for Pettit and Erving.  With Pettit hanging outside waiting for the rock to release his deadly mid-range jumper, Malone would be forced to come out.  Unseld would be stuck all alone with Mikan.  Have you ever seen a mouse get caught in a bear trap?

Career:  4-Time NBA Champion, BAA Champion, 2-Time NBL Champion, BAA Most Valuable Player, NBL Most Valuable Player, 4-Time NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 8-Time All-NBA First Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1993 - Charles Barkley - Reserve Forward - 6'6"

In 1993, “Sir” Charles Barkley averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for the Phoenix Suns.  Barkley was so dominant that he went on to win the regular season MVP award, leading the Suns to an NBA-best 62-20 record season.  He is only the third player ever to win MVP the year after being traded.  Barkley would be coming off my bench late in the second quarter to close out the half.  He has the ability to over-power small forwards while harassing power forwards at the same time.  He would provide an extra boost of offense for my team while closing out the second half.  Barkley would prove to cause a lot of problems for Bruce Bowen and/or Lebron James.  By the way, what the snap is Bruce Bowen doing in a 56-player legend league?  I’m sorry but that is just plain ridiculous.  Whoever drafted him is obviously living in the present and didn’t do their research.

Career:  NBA Most Valuable Player, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, 11-Time NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 5-Time All-NBA First Team, 5-Time All-NBA Second Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

2001 - Dikembe Mutombo - Reserve Center - 7'2"

Dikembe Mutombo averaged 10 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in 2001.  Nicknamed "The Cookie Monster" for the way he talks, if this 4-Time NBA Defensive Player of the Year catches you with the hand in the cookie jar, he is going to send it back to sixth row.  I guess one could call his 2001 rebound total a baker's dozen.  So what happens when 7'2" Mutombo checks into the game with 6'7" Wes Unseld on the other side of the ball?  Obviously Unseld would need to come out of the game, but who would back him up at center?  Lebron?  Bowen?  Lol.  Well, I guess Moses Malone would need to rotate down to center and Garnett would need to play power forward.  This would force Garnett and Malone to play the entire game, making them winded and wearing them down.  Mutombo is the final piece to my puzzle that puts me over the top in this match-up.

Career:  4-Time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 8-Time NBA All-Star, All-NBA Second Team, 3-Time NBA All-Defensive First Team, 3-Time NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

 
Some Facts:

Heroes of the Hardwood

20 Championships
75 All-Star selections
45 All-NBA First Team selections
11 All-Star MVP selections
4 Defensive Player of the Year selections

Purple Cobras

11 Championships
54 All-Star selections
21 All-NBA First Team selections
6 All-Star MVP selections
1 Defensive Player of the Year selections

Final Thought

Championship experience will prove to be fatal to the Purple Cobras.  Other than Jordan and Bowen, the Purple Cobras are made up of a bunch of talented players who underachieved and never won anything. Yes I said it.  My team causes match-up problems and yes, I will exploit them.  Cobras are finshed. Done. Spent. Gone. Out of here.

(Sorry guys, I have been swamped at work today and wasn't able to put in as much time into this as I thought I could.)

Click Here to view my opponent's article and to vote who wins.