If you could build a team using some of the best players from the last three decades, what would that team look like?
That's the question we're trying to answer on this edition of Blind Resume.
Each day this week, I'm going to give three members of our NBA.com Global Staff a player comparison from Basketball-Reference that is made up of one superstar from the 1990s, one from the 2000s, one from the 2010s and one wildcard. I'll start by providing each player's raw numbers from one particular season. Then I'll reveal their shooting percentages to give everyone an opportunity to change their answer as more information becomes available.
We've decided to stick with the last 30 years because "The Last Dance" has us in 1990s mode right now. That's why you won't see the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Oscar Roberston, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Even if some of those legends did play in the 1990s, their peaks came much sooner.
The player at the top of each chart is Player A, followed by Player B, Player C and Player D.
Today, we're picking the point guard for our post-80s dream team.
Step 1: The raw stats
Leandro Fernàndez (@FernandezLea): I'm going with Player C. I'm assuming I'm picking my point guard, so I'll take less scoring and more passing. I'm intrigued by Player A, but Player C has the edge defensively and averages fewer turnovers.
Augustín Aboy (@AboyAgustin): Player C. He's the most productive player on offence and he's a factor on defence with almost three steals per game.
Juan Estévez (@JuanEstevez90): I'll go with Player B. Not only is he the highest scorer, he also has an amazing assist-to-turnover ratio to go along with solid rebounding and great steal numbers. Give me B.
Carlan Gay (@TheCarlanGay): Player C. I like the player who is giving me more assists and defence with an average of 2.7 steals per game. I feel like C is the best two-way option and I'd like my PG to be able to defend a bit.
Step 2: The shooting percentages
Fernàndez: Sorry Player C, but I'm changing my answer. Looking at the 3-point percentage, Player A is by far the best of the group. He shoots more and is much more efficient. Add that he is still No. 2 in assists, and there you have it. I'm losing steals, but who plays defence anymore anyway?
Aboy: I'm moving to Player A now. He's still a great playmaker, but he's also nearly automatic from the free-throw line and he's the best 3-point shooter of the group.
Estévez: That's interesting. Player A is such a great shooter ... but B is still a good shooter, and I'll take his better steal numbers and I like how he takes care of the ball. So no, I'm not changing my answer.
Gay: I'm sticking with Player C. I'm happy with his shooting percentages and the way he's able to get to the line.
Who are they?
Player A is Steve Nash from the 2006-07 season. This was the season Nash finished second to Dirk Nowitzki in MVP voting and made the All-NBA First Team for the third season in a row.
Player B is Chris Paul from the 2011-12 season. This was Paul's first season with the LA Clippers. He finished third in MVP voting behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant and made the All-NBA First Team.
Player C is John Stockton from the 1990-91 season. This was the fourth of nine straight seasons in which Stockton led the league in assists. Stockton also made the All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team.
Player D is Deron Williams from the 2008-09 season. This was the season before Williams was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Why those seasons? I picked each player's best season of the decade based on their PER. It isn't perfect, but it was the best way that I could think of to remove bias and make this fair.
Both Fernàndez and Aboy started with Stockton but settled on Nash when they found out their shooting percentages.
Estévez and Gay, meanwhile, didn't change their answer. Estévez stuck with Paul and Gay stuck with Stockton.
I didn't expect anyone to take Williams, but I thought it was interesting how well his numbers stacked up with Nash, Paul and Stockton. Williams had a fascinating career. It's easy to forget that there was a legitimate debate for a while over whether he or Paul was the better point guard. His prime just didn't last nearly as long and he fell off rather quickly.
Now that we're gone through the point guards, check back tomorrow for the shooting guards!
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
