The Modern-Day Dream Team: The Best Possible Roster of 12 Current NBA Players

Adam Aaronson
Jul 21, 2017 · 4 min read

Today’s NBA is dominated by the discussion of “superteams”- the top title contenders are trying to assemble the most stacked rosters they can in a desperate attempt to dethrone the three-time reigning Conference Champion Warriors and Cavaliers. But what if there was a… super-superteam? What if a roster of any 12 NBA players could be assembled with no restrictions?

Many factors go into building a team like this- but the most important one is fit. Because no matter who makes the team, it’s going to be 12 All-Star players regardless. The key is to make the 12 players fit well together, which means this team won’t necessarily have the 12 best players altogether, but instead the 12 best players who fit well next to each other.

Starting Point Guard: Stephen Curry

Curry would be absolutely lethal for a team like this. He doesn’t have to carry too heavy of an offensive load or handle the ball too much. Sometimes he can run the offense and sometimes he can play off-ball and get open. Given the fact that opposing defenses have to keep close tabs on everyone and can’t focus in on Steph, he’d get lots of wide open looks, which look like layups for him.

Starting Shooting Guard: James Harden

Harden would handle the ball the majority of the time and run the offense. With four fellow superstars next to him, he’ll have all of the room to operate that he could ever ask for. He’d become a much more efficient scorer thanks to his surroundings.

Starting Small Forward: LeBron James

I mean, come on. This doesn’t need explanation. Let’s move on.

Starting Power Forward: Kevin Durant

Durant’s role would be the go-to scorer, and he’d put up some insanely effecient shooting percentages while maintaining an absurdly high scoring average. He also is a tremendous help on defense, as he’s evolved into an elite player on that end.

Starting Center: Anthony Davis

Davis can do anything needed of a big man, and he does all of these things at an elite level: shooting jumpers, throwing down dunks, grabbing rebounds, and protecting the rim. He could focus on the defensive side of the ball, as no offensive responsibility will be placed on his shoulder with these teammates.

Backup Point Guard: Chris Paul

This is a dream come true for Paul. He’d get to focus on doing what makes him the player he is- passing. With all of the gifted scorers around him, he can be the perfect set-up man off the bench.

Backup Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson

Thompson has two elite skills- shooting, and defending. With this team, those strengths would absolutely be enhanced by the players he shares the court with. He’d get much better looks, and doesn’t have to do anything on offense aside from catch and shoot.

Backup Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard being a backup shows just how insane a team like this one would be. He’d come in and immediately lock down whoever his matchup is, and then get to relax and only take good shots on the offensive end. For the Spurs, his defense has suffered due to him using so much energy to carry the heavy offensive workload he has to deal with. But now, he can focus primarily on defense, and then casually play off the ball.

Backup Power Forward: Draymond Green

Draymond Green is the best defensive player in basketball. He can lock down small guards and bang with the big guys. His insanity that sometimes hurts him also makes him the defensive stud that he is. His passing ability is also excellent, so the offense can sometimes run through him.

Backup Center: Rudy Gobert

Draymond Green might be the best defender in the league, but Rudy Gobert is as close as they come to Draymond’s defense. His rim protection bests that of anyone the league has seen in a long time, and he can also crash the glass with the best of them.

Reserve: Russell Westbrook

Yes, Westbrook just averaged a triple-double. And yes, he is probably a better player than Chris Paul. But where he comes short is in all three main qualities that a team like this needs- shooting, defense and selflessness. Westbrook is too phenomenal to be left off this team, but his me-first mindset, reckless shot selection, and frustrating defense are the reasons why he isn’t a starter or second-string player.

Reserve: Giannis Antetokounmpo

The only reason the Greek Freak isn’t a second-string player on the wing is that the league is so deep at those spots. And although he isn’t a good shooter yet, he always gets great looks. With his 6'11 frame, fantastic court vision and marvelous athleticism, he can play basically whatever position you need.

Ultimately there’s no wrong answer to a question like this. There is a strong argument to make for tons of players. But if you focus on ball movement, defense and shooting, this is the best result possible.

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Written by

Sports writer for The Unprofessionals (unprofession.com)

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