Yeah, you all are dying to read about the best Michigan has/had to offer basketball-wise. We are only talking about ABA/NBA players here that were born in Michigan (and if it gets close we’ll go with the younger player – most of the readers don’t remember the old guys anyway).
Michigan, here is your starting 5:
POINT GUARD: Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Jr.
So Michigan brought you the best point guard (or at least top 3 all-time – you can’t argue that) who ever laced ’em up. Born August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan he stayed close to home and attended Michigan State university where he played on the same team with future NBA players ‘Special K‘ Greg Kelser and Jay Vincent.
'The Magic Show' - word is Larry Bird had front row seats
There isn’t much to say about why we chose Magic – I mean…c’mon, it’s Magic, man. NCAA champion, 3 times NBA Finals MVP, 3x NBA MVP, 12x All-Star, 5x NBA Champion and 9x All-NBA 1st Team.
Career: 19.5 points/game, 11.2 assists/game, 7.2 rebounds/game on .520% shooting.
SHOOTING GUARD: George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin
Detroit, baby! ‘The Iceman’ was born in Detroit, April 27, 1952. He attended the Eastern Michigan University and Long Beach State before he played for the Virginia Spurs (ABA) and later for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls (NBA).
An NBA career scoring average of 26.2 points/game is what most people will remember him for. The Spurs didn’t retire this 9x NBA All-Star’s jersey number (#44) for nothing, you know? He won 4 scoring titles while playing for San Antonio so he definitely knows how to put the ball in the basket.
SMALL FORWARD: Glen Anthony Rice
Maybe not a true Small Forward, but we’ll still put him on our roster. He was switching between playing forward and guard so we guess you won’t mind.
Glen dropped 18.3 points/game while shooting .400% from three for his career. Long-distance bombs were his trademark. He is one of the few guys who won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship (while being named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player) and the NBA Championship. He was also named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in one of his three appearances.
You will probably be surprised to read this, but his single game scoring record in the NBA is at 56(!) points against the Shaquille O’Neal led Orlando Magic back in 1995. He hit 20/27 shots including 7/8 from three-point range. Talk about a hot hand…
POWER FORWARD: Mayce Edward Christopher Webber, III
Yes, sir. Had the skills to become one of the greatest PF of all time. Born back in 1973 in Detroit, Michigan, Chris Webber was one of the most talented players to come out of Michigan since Magic Johnson.
Being a #1 overall pick, people definitely recognized his talent early. He was part of the famous “Fab 5” and the movement that changed the game. Getting named the NBA Rookie of the Year 1994, Chris went on to be a 5x NBA All-Star and a one time All-NBA First Team selection. If it wasn’t for various injuries, he would have gone on to be one of the best power forwards the NBA has ever seen. His shooting and passing ability were incredible for a guy his size.
'Fab 5'
Chris averaged 20.7 points/game, 9.8 rebounds/game, 4.3 assists/game and 1.4 steals and blocks per game for his career. He finished 6 seasons averaging a double-double and missed another season-long double-double in 4 other seasons by 0.5 rebounds or less per game. Very impressive.
CENTER: Melvin Joe Daniels
Yeah, I don’t remember him either, but you gotta give respect where respect is due. Born in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, this 6-9, 220lb guy averaged a pretty sick double-double for his career.
We all know the tempo and possessions were a lot different and faster back in the day, so we can’t really put them into perspective, but 18.4 points/game and 14.9 rebounds/game have to mean something. Add nearly 2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game and you have a solid, but a bit under-sized, center.
A 7x ABA All-Star, ABA Rookie of the Year, 2x ABA MVP and 1x ABA All-Star Game MVP and 4x selected to the All-ABA First Team (including his rookie season). There is nothing more to add.
6th MAN: Jalen Anthony Rose
Born 1973 in Detroit, Michigan, he also was part of the famous “Fab Five” on the University of Michigan’s squad. Playing for six different teams isn’t easy, but Jalen made the best out of it.
A career 14.3 points/game scorer, Jalen helped the Indiana Pacers to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances. The one time they won the Eastern Conference, they lost in six-games to the Lakers. Rose averaged 23 points per game in that Finals series and dropped 32 in a game 5 victory on the Lakers.
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Well, that is the best I could find to represent Michigan. Who will take on our state? Anyone want to show the blogosphere where they are from and what they are made of? You better bring a big point guard or we don’t even have to argue about who would win…
DUNK ON U 