All-Time All NBA Team

In the spirit of getting the ball rolling, I figured I would create a list of my All-Time team.
It seems like any self-respecting sports blog has one of these, even though they are a little played out. The roster includes 12 players, a coach, and of course, a mascot. Nothing should shock any readers on this list, but I may have a few surprises, like the fact that I am running with three guards. This team is a little 80's-centric, but that is the era in which I came to love the Game, so suck it.

Let's start with the obvious, shall we?

Starters
PG- Magic Johnson- Was a threat for a triple-double every night, led the Showtime Lakers to 5 titles, and at 6-9, was the prototypical big point guard. Career was cut short in 1991, when he announced he had contracted the HIV virus. He did return to the court in 1995, and later coached the Lakers for a few dozen games. Not too many folks will remember the "Magic Hour", thank Christ.

SG- Michael Jordan- Easiest one to choose. 6 rings, most scoring titles, highest career PPG, and was one of the best defenders of his time. No doubt the best player ever. Not such a good executive, which is a running theme with this team. Pure no-brainer.

G- Oscar Robertson- Have to have the Big O here. Was a triple-double machine before they even invented the term, and in 1961-62, averaged a triple double. career totals of 25.7 PPG, 9.5 Asst. and 7.5 Rebs. Too complete a player to be left off the list.

PF- Larry Bird- Toughest call for the starters. Not a true "4", but I put him here for his 3-pt. shooting, his clutchness, and of course, his trash talking ability. My buddy Teye would say I put him here to have the token white dude, but he's a douche. Career averages of over 24 points, 10 boards and 6 assists. One of the greatest passers ever for his position. Along with Magic, saved the NBA from the cracked out 80's.

C- Bill Russell- Greatest winner in the history of the game. Won 11 titles in 13 years, including two as player/coach. Became the first black coach in the NBA, and is considered the best defensive player ever. If blocked shots were a statistical category back then, he would also be the all-time leader.

Reserves

F- Scottie Pippen- Overshadowed by Jordan, Pip was the most versatile player of the 90's. And my personal favourite. He could play four positions with the best of 'em.

PG- Isiah Thomas- Say what you will about his coaching/executive career, but this guy was a straight gangster on the court. Two titles with the Pistons, and had the heart of giant, even though he was about 6'0.

F- Elgin Baylor- Wasn't gonna put him on the list, until I read this article by the great Bill Simmons. Yet another great player and piss-poor GM.

G-Jerry West- The logo, one of the great scorers of his time, and the one awesome GM on the list.

PG- Bob Cousy-I have to Cousy here, because he was the floor general of the greatest Celtic's team of the 50's and 60's. Could do wonders with the ball, and had a wicked nickname, the Houdini of the Hardwood.

C- Wilt Chamberlain- Banged a lot of girls. In his spare time, dominated the boards like no other, and once averaged 50 points for an entire season. Scored 100 in a single game, and banged a lot of girls. Was so dominant, that when critics started to consider him to be a selfish player, he went out and led the league in assists the next year, to the detriment of his team's success. Which makes him even more selfish. Plus he was a pimp.

F- Kobe Bryant- Had to have one guy from today's game, and it is Kobe. 3 rings, some scoring titles, and a real killer instinct. Almost did not put him here because he scored 81 points against my Raps, and overall I hate him, but he is the best player today, no doubt. Also an underrated defender.

Coach- Red Auerbach- 9 rings, retired being the all-time winningest coach, and pioneered the evolution of the game by drafting and playing black players in the days that black players couldn't even stay in the same hotels as their white teammates. Also hired Russell as the first Black coach. A legend and a hero.

Mascot- The Suns Gorilla- I don't really know the title he uses, or his real name, but he is the best mascot ever, and I don't care what you think.

Notable exceptions- Shaq, Kareem, Lebron, Bill Walton, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Arvidas Sabonis(international), and Earl "the Goat" Manigault( best street baller ever).

That does it for my list, hope you folks enjoy it.