Hoops Habit
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Each State’s All-Time NBA Starting Five

By Ben Gibson

Jan 26, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot waves a flag before the game at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot waves a flag before the game at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama

Eric Bledsoe, Chuck Person, Charles Barkley, DeMarcus Cousins, Artis Gilmore

Total of 23 All-Star appearances, 1 NBA/ABA championships

Eric Bledsoe has only been in the NBA for five seasons but he’s one of the better ball handlers and distributors from the Cotton State. Bledsoe averages 10.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game and played a role in turning the Los Angles Clippers from a joke to a respectable team. He followed the money to Phoenix, where he hopes the young team can make a run in the Western Conference.

Chuck Person is the next on the list with 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per a game. Person was a career 34.4 percent three-point shooter and ranks 47th all-time in three-point shots made at 1,220, earning him the nickname “The Rifleman” thanks to the show of the same name. It really helps that his full name is Chuck Connors Person, named after the star of the show, Chuck Connors.

Hall of Famer and all-time All-Star Charles Barkley is next for this Alabama squad with an impressive list of accomplishments to prove his credentials. They include being named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team, winning the MVP award in 1993, five selections to the All-NBA First Teams and All-NBA Second Teams as well as one All-NBA Third Team. Despite being 6’6″, he ranks 19th all-time with 12,546 rebounds and also makes the top 100 in assists (4,215, ranked 92nd) and steals (1,646, ranked 25th) as well as 29th all-time in points with 23,757.

DeMarcus Cousins comes in at the power forward position, averaging a career double-double so far with 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game. Cousins creates plenty of controversy, but he seems worth any headache as he’s been in the top 10 several seasons in points, rebounds and Player Efficiency Rating. He’s the cornerstone and lighting rod of the Sacramento Kings going forward either way.

Team Alabama rounds out its lineup with Artis Gilmore, a name fans might recognize but may not have a proper appreciation for. The 11-time All-Star and ABA champion averaged 18.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per per game in his career while also earning one MVP with the league before it merged with the NBA. If more of his career and his best years would have taken place in the NBA, casual fans might know him better, but nonetheless, he is a legend and Hall of Famer either way.

Grade: B

Next: Alaska