If you could pick one player to start your team with, who would it be?

[ajgoodman]

Which ACTIVE player IN THEIR PRIME would you pick to start your team with? 
Also which Celtics player?

I'm on the fence with this one.  I would probably want to start my team around the young Shaquille O'Neal. A close second would be KG in his prime.  It's not everyday you find that perfect mixture of talent, intensity, and leadership that KG has shown his entire career.  Obviously, KG would be my Celtics choice, that goes without saying.

THE FLOOR IS OPEN!
Also, avoid making predictions.  I don't want to here about when LeBron and Rondo hit their primes they'll be the best to start with... If it hasn't happened, you can't pretend it has and definitely will.  Everything must be fact based.

[wdleehi]

Tim Duncan



From the Celtics  KG

[GreenFaith1819]

Jason Kidd and KG from Celtics.

[FallGuy]

Tough one, but in his prime Shaq was pretty much unstoppable. So, I'll take him.

[Bahku]

In their prime ... I think it would be Shaq, actually. A Celtic, I want to say KG, but I'd actually go with Rondo ... I think it's been shown, at least in an "on-the-surface" kind of way, that KG is more successful as an addition, and not as someone to build a team around, (Ray and Paul, as well).

Rondo took on a leading role in his second year, (first year as a starter), and led it to the Championship, and I think this kid has just begun to tap into his talents. He has shown an amazing ability to adapt and handle enormous pressure, all the while improving by leaps-and-bounds in front of our eyes.

Yup, I go with Rage.

[cdif911]

in his prime, it has to be either Shaq or Kobe... titles don't lie (sadly)

[kg is king]

KG definitely, and...I hate to say it...but...Kobe Bryant. His own two rings are testaments to that. Also the game's best closer, a natural leader, Kobe gets my vote (as much as it hurts to say that   )

[ajgoodman]

Saying Rondo "led us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

EDIT: Idiotic grammar mistakes blamed on fact that it is one in the morning. Thanks for helping me out.

[Bahku]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

I meant led the team on the floor ... that's the role of a PG, and he did it extremely well. Paul is the Capt, and KG the other emotional leader.

[cdif911]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

to say Rondo "lead us" would imply he somehow used a mineral to attain the title

if he "led" us, maybe there's a point worth debating

[Bahku]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

to say Rondo "lead us" would imply he somehow used a mineral to attain the title

if he "led" us, maybe there's a point worth debating

(I was trying to tacfully avoid pointing that out ... thanks, CD!)

[ajgoodman]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

I meant led the team on the floor ... that's the role of a PG, and he did it extremely well. Paul is the Capt, and KG the other emotional leader.

Watching Kevin Garnett carry those talent-deprived Minnesota teams on his back in the glory days makes him tough to beat.  In my opinion, Rondo being able to run the point on a team with three Hall of Famers doesn't make him quite as deserving to be the centerpiece of the ideal team as KG.

[ajgoodman]

Whoops! Maybe it's time I "lead" myself to bed... Hahaha...

[Bahku]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

I meant led the team on the floor ... that's the role of a PG, and he did it extremely well. Paul is the Capt, and KG the other emotional leader.

Watching Kevin Garnett carry those talent-deprived Minnesota teams on his back in the glory days makes him tough to beat.  In my opinion, Rondo being able to run the point on a team with three Hall of Famers doesn't make him quite as deserving to be the centerpiece of the ideal team as KG.

As deserving? Probably not ... but he has proven himself Championship-worthy very early in his career, and he has improved a TON since then. This is a personal preference thing, and I think this kid will end up being one of the Top 20 PG's of all time before he's done, despite the fact that Paul and KG are my favorite Celtics. I can't wait to see this team with him at the helm in 2 or 3-plus years.

[wdleehi]

Saying Rondo "lead us" to the 2008 championship is kind of a stretch.

I meant led the team on the floor ... that's the role of a PG, and he did it extremely well. Paul is the Capt, and KG the other emotional leader.

Watching Kevin Garnett carry those talent-deprived Minnesota teams on his back in the glory days makes him tough to beat.  In my opinion, Rondo being able to run the point on a team with three Hall of Famers doesn't make him quite as deserving to be the centerpiece of the ideal team as KG.

As deserving? Probably not ... but he has proven himself Championship-worthy very early in his career, and he has improved a TON since then. This is a personal preference thing, and I think this kid will end up being one of the Top 20 PG's of all time before he's done, despite the fact that Paul and KG are my favorite Celtics. I can't wait to see this team with him at the helm in 2 or 3-plus years.

But you can make the case that KG is a top 5 PF of all time already.