Hypothetical

[Tiger Hawk]

Coco's post in the playoffs thread about which player would you take if you were starting a franchise got me thinking about it, so I thought I'd create this and see what others think.

For me, Kevin Durant. Already an elite scorer in the NBA in his second season and at just 20, he's only going to get better. Has the potential to be a force at both ends, I really hope he puts it all together cause he is already amazing to watch.

 

[El Coconuto]

Unfortunately, the logical choice here is LeBron. Nobody worth their salk would ever pass up on him. Myself? After watching the way Shaq and T-Mac strolled in and out of Orlando, I can't stand the thought of an ego-maniac anymore, and LeBron is certainly one of those. I'd overlook him, and just deal with the fan criticism that followed. I'd sleep easier that way. That in mind, if I were starting a franchise right now, I would roll with...

1. Dwight Howard
2. Deron Williams
3. Derrick Rose
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Ricky Rubio

Give me any of those five guys, and I'll surround them with a team to take to the playoffs...

 

[El Coconuto]

Honourable mentions to Kobe (too much mileage/baggage/ego), Dirk (wrong side of age), Duncan (ditto), Al Jefferson (I never trust an ACL once it's gone), Yao (mileage and injury), Bosh (on the verge of being a wasted talent because he's stuck in Toronto), Carmelo (who I love, but wouldn't trust as my franchise guy), Kevin Durrant (closest to making my list of any of these guys), and Chris Paul (who seems to be able to wipe any opponent one on one, except Deron Williams).

 

[McLovin]

I'm guessing we get the prime version of the player we choose. In that case, i'm going with Shaquille O'Neal and i didn't really need to think about that...

Watch video of him in his Orlando/LA days, he was unstoppable on the offensive side and an equally intimidating force on the defensive end. Alot of people forget that he was just as athletic as Dwight Howard is today which it's crazy if you consider the fact that he was travelling with an extra 3 or 4 inches and 40+ pounds. Shaq is a proven winner and turned every team that had him into a championship force (Phoenix included). Teams basically had to change their whole gameplans to suit him every night. The only real quirk i had with him during his prime was i felt his attitute wasn't right. He SHOULD have won at least 2 more rings imo...

He's arguably one of the top 3 best big men of all time so i'm going with him. Top perimeter players are a dime a dozen these days. Finding a 7'1, 320 pound monster who can actually play, is another story...

 

[McLovin]

If were going on todays talent pool, it's Dwight Howard for me. Give him an elite level point guard and it's goodnight to the rest of the league.

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

Unfortunately, the logical choice here is LeBron. Nobody worth their salk would ever pass up on him. Myself? After watching the way Shaq and T-Mac strolled in and out of Orlando, I can't stand the thought of an ego-maniac anymore, and LeBron is certainly one of those. I'd overlook him, and just deal with the fan criticism that followed. I'd sleep easier that way. That in mind, if I were starting a franchise right now, I would roll with...

1. Dwight Howard
2. Deron Williams
3. Derrick Rose
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Ricky Rubio

Give me any of those five guys, and I'll surround them with a team to take to the playoffs...

u dont like egos but u got rubio in your list????

if i was to take a franchise player it would be a pg so either paul or rose

 

[Ridders]

If we are going by today current stock, i'm i'd pick CP3. Absolutely love watching him play who can carry a team like any. Lets be honest, if the Hornets don't have him, what would their records be like over the last 3/4 years. Makes everyone around him much better. Still young and still can only get better.

 

[Ridders]

As Coco said, you obviously have to exclude Lebron from the discussion, or else there would be discussion.

 

[Stranger]

1. Wade
2. Howard
3. Durant
4. Rose (well he already has the bulls wrapped up)
5. Billups - I know he is getting old, but he has something about him that brings out the best in players.

Thats if you exclude the King of course.