NBA All-Time Starting 5: Creating the ultimate lineup without altering positions

Power Forward: Kevin Garnett

This was the most difficult position to make a decision for, because power forwards in the modern NBA tend to be much smaller players than throughout NBA history. Many of the best 4s in league history would play center today. Someone like Tim Duncan had a better career and was a better player than Garnett at their peaks, but his lack of shooting would unnecessarily compact the court for our team of Hall of Famers.

Dirk Nowitzki offers that floor-spacing ability as one of the greatest frontcourt shooters in NBA history, but he is not quite the versatile defender we would like to have here. If we could fudge the positions, we would move LeBron James to power forward and make room for either Larry Bird or Kevin Durant.

Instead, we go with one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history and perhaps the most underrated superstar, Kevin Garnett. His career accolades are more muted because he toiled in obscurity on the Minnesota Timberwolves who couldn't put a true contending roster around him, and he didn't break through for postseason success until he reached the Boston Celtics. His impact on the game, however, should rank him in the Top 10 players of all time.

Garnett is a versatile defender who could defend in space and rotate to the rim for some nasty blocked shots. On offense, he was shooting long 2s in an era where that was how teams spaced the court; he would almost certainly be a capable 3-point shooter in today's game. He can score inside, is a ferocious rebounder and an underrated passer, and he would fit in extremely well next to the other stars on this roster.

Others Considered: Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Karl Monroe, Giannis Antetokounmpo