The perfect 4 man starting cast around Marbury who would it be??? Marbury would have to be the best player. Any good cast would cover for the stars weaknesses and feed off his strengths. So my cast would be. SG: Jaric, SF: Battier, PF: Bosh, C Maglorie.

Jaric- because he can handle the ball like a PG so teams can't double Marbury and force others to make plays. Has good size and defense. And can hit the 3 consistantly.

Battier- all around player, can guard multiple positions, and can hit the 3 consistantly

Bosh- Perfect pick and roll partner. Put the ball on the floor, hit the j, or make the extra pass

Maglorie- Isn't great at anything but good at all the centers duties.

As a team the 3 point threats in Jaric & Battier & even Bosh would open up Marbury's penitration and make teams pay to stack the box trying to stop him. Bosh would be perfect for the pick and roll. Bosh & Maglorie would kill off of put backs and tip ins following up on Marbury's penitration. Defensivley they all are good help defenders. Battier-Bosh-Maglorie all are solid shot blockers.

Not crazy about the Jaric at the 2. I see him as more of a SF/PG. The rest of your team, I like though. Ultimately, if I was making a team, I wouldn't start it with Steph, but playing along, making a young team, I might go with:

SG-Crawford - quick versatile, plays well with Steph, as we already know.

SF-Battier - I really like this pick and have to agree with you here

PF-Nenad Krstic - young versatile big man, lots of talent

C-Nene - big man, can clog up the lane, may one day be your prototypical center

I like Fish's lineup except I'll sub Curry for Chandler and have a better shooter at the 2. Marbury has always excelled when playing with good shooters.

If marbury is the best player, the team will lose, it's already a proven fact.

You can tell that from two half seasons? That's impressive, since Marbury and the Knicks have not looked any worse during that time than Iverson and the Sixers looked all of last year. Or are you going to inevitably lose if Iverson is your best player too, even though he took a team to the finals?

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 02/17/2005 19:36:25]

Posted by gunsnewing:

I can't think of a team who's best player is a PG who won a championship. Detroit in the lates 80s is the only team that comes to mind with Isiah. So our chances are very slim if Marbury is our best player entering the next decade.

Statistically, one-fifth of the championship teams should have their best player at the PG spot. Magic and Isiah were both PGs. There have only been about 10 championship teams in the past 20 years. It's not surprising that 2 would have their best player at PG. How many have had their best player at center? I think it's at most one (if you count Shaq as better than Kobe, which people have long argued over).

Posted by gunsnewing:

we aren't trying to compare Marbury to Magic now are we?

Nope. I have no idea where you got that from.

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 02/17/2005 20:00:41]

C- Sam Dalembert (I came up with the idea before I read TMSs post) -I want a major defensive presence.

PF- Emeka Okafor- Make that another shotblocker, plus he gives you some skills down low. However, in 2 years, he'll be better than Marbury. Heck, he may be better than him next year, but RIGHT NOW, he ain't.

SF- Matt Harpring- Does a little of everything, and is always tough on defense.

SG- Michael Redd- Maybe not the best backcourt defensively, but he'll be better, and he is a great second scoring option, and can be the first at times. Better as the second though, as you can see with the Bucks record.

Bench-

Marcus Camby- More defense and shotblocking

Kurt Thomas- Brings a pick and roll game which is big for Marbury. Plays nice defense too. Overrated, but still good.

Joe Johnson- great 3rd option scorer off the bench and is also extremely unselfish. Does everything.

HEALTHIER Allan Houston- Go to player off the bench. This is the same Allan Houston at the start of LAST season, when he was still mobile, but started his decline.

Mike James- I like this kid. Plays hard, penetrates and plays D. Nice backup.