The all 90s team

Seeing as I became a fan during the 90s, I thought it would be fun to list my personal "all NBA team" from 96'. Some of these players went on to have hall of fame careers, others got charged with cocaine possession. Go figure.


Point Guard

Penny Hardaway

Before Shaq headed to L.A. and before the devestating knee injury, Penny was the shit. He wasn't quite the defender Gary Payton was or the player John Stockton was, and I recognize this! However in 1996 which is the era Im focusing on, he was the most electrifying pg in the game. As a 23 year old in the 95-96 season, Penny averaged 22, 7 and 2 steals. At this point, he was coming off two straight First Team All-NBA selections, he dunked on people (see right), he shot over 50% from the field and his endorsement deals were as good as anyone at the time. Hell, the infamous "Lil' Penny" even got a cameo in the 'No Diggity' video so you know he was the man of the hour! After battling back from injury, Penny went on to have a 14 year career with the likes of the Suns, Magic and eventually the Heat. He never quite got back to the form that helped the Magic to the Finals in his 2nd year, but we remember the good times Penny.


Shooting Guard

Michael Jordan

What more needs to be said about this guy. League MVP, Finals MVP, 72 wins, etc etc. Even if Mike was injured, I'd still want him on the squad to shoot that game winning shot. After attempting a baseball career, MJ came back to re-threepeat. His Airness still holds the record for point per game. I even remember buying Ballpark hotdogs because he was the spokesman!






Small Forward

Scottie Pippen

You know I need him to run with MJ. Pippen just made everyone around him better. He was a lock for all defensive team, named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players and he was unselfish in doing so. Even when MJ was doing his Daryl Strawberry impression, Scottie led the Bulls to the playoffs and was a legit MVP candidate (averages of 22,9,5 and 3 steals). Scottie complemented the best player on the planet perfectly. Dude played over 200 playoff games in his career, thats two and a half seasons worth right there! He's on my team because he's gives you versatility at the 3 (like a modern day Shawn Marion) and he'll lock down your best player.


Power Forward

Shawn Kemp

Don't hate. Shawn may not have been the best PF in the game, with the likes of Karl Malone and Charles Barkley still kicking around, and I realize they are better players! I got Shawn on the squad for his swagger. He got the Seattle Supersonics to the finals, only to lose to those legendary 96' Bulls in six games. "The Reignman", as he was known by, was the most ferocious dunker in the L. At this time, he averaged 20 and 11, but was far and away the most athletic 4 in the game. I got him on the squad to posterize your big white center and run the break past those "low post scoring threats" like Malone. After a contract dispute (allegedly because he wasn't gettin 'Jim McIlvaine' money), Kemp was shipped to Cleveland in the 3 team deal that brought Vin Baker to Seattle and Tyrone Hill/Terrell Brandon to Milwaukee. Since then, Shawn's career has been a bit of a joke. Caught numerous times with both cocaine and marajuana, Shawn fell off hard. He tried making a comeback with the Mavs as recently as 2006, but he didn't report for tryouts..surprise surprise. Keep it thorough Shawn.


Center

Shaquille O'neal aka SHAQ aka Diesel aka The Big Daddy aka Shaq-Fu aka the Big Baryshnikov aka Wilt Chamberneezy (I'm not making these up) aka the Big Cactus

In 96, no one was fuckin with Shaq in the middle. In an era of great centers like David Robinson, Patrick Ewing and Hakeem, Shaq was a freak. He had 12 straight seasons of 20 and 10 to start his career! He was truly unguardable on the block. If he gets it in the paint, chances are he's dunking on you, and maybe even ripping the entire net down with him. This dude could run the floor and neutralize your big man. He lost the finals to those pesky Rockets in 95, so he bimmed to L.A. to pursue his acting/rapping career. With family hits like Kazaam and Steel, Shaq was a triple threat! Career averages of 25.5, and 11.5 only tell part of the tale. He is a 4 time champ (3 with the Lakers, 1 with the Heat), but it all started in Orlando. Simply put, he was the most dominant player of his era, maybe ever. Always a media favorite, Shaq had this to say about his game:
"I am the number one Ninja and I have killed all the Shoguns in front of me."
"Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God's way to say nobody's perfect."