The NBA salary cap is set at $53.135 million for the 06-07 season.  So I checked out si.com’s NBA salary report to make the best possible team that fits under that salary cap.  Let’s take a look:

 

 Starting five:

 

 C - Yao Ming – $12, 455,000

You’re going to need a presence down low.  What better than the 7’6” Ming? 

 PF - Dwight Howard - $4,806,720

Follow up that 7’6” nightmare with 6’11” Howard.  He’s a beast down low and you’re almost guaranteed a double-double. 

 

SF - Lebron James – $5,828,090

At a little under $6 mil, LeBron is a steal.  You won’t be able to keep him long, but one year is all you need with this team. 

SG - Dwyane Wade – $3,841,443

What else can you say about the SI, Sportsman of the Year?  He's what everyone wants in a teammate. 

PG - Kirk Hinrich - $3,192,628

He’s young, quick with great vision.  He’s Steve Nash with better range and without the reckless abandonment. 

 

Off the bench

 

C - Emeka Okafor –$4,300,560

Coming off the bench, Okafor can keep the middle clear of any flying objects. 

PF - Chris Bosh – $4,235,220

He’s the younger, cheaper version of Kevin Garnett. 

SF - Josh Howard – $1,667,603

I took Howard over Carmelo because he’s cheaper.  That’s the reason. 

SG - Ben Gordon - $3,862,080

Former sixth man award winner could be valuable backing Wade.

PG - Jameer Nelson - $1,272,120

Quite a surprise for the price.  Jameer can handle the ball and take that deep shot if needed. 

SF - Shane Battier - $5,393,300

Defensive specialist.  Every team needs one coming of the bench. 

 

Total - $49,187,161 (Below the cap, now I can get those leather seats for the box seats.)

 

There are thousands of choices I could have made.  What would your team look like?