Number 87

Bar Room Arguments, Commence

(With a great deal of love and respect, I dedicate this entry to my big brother, Bart. If there were a Big Brother Hall of Fame, he would get in on his first ballot.)

Nora's All Time NBA Team

First Team
Michael Jordan (sg)
Ervin "Magic" Johnson (pg)
Larry Bird (f)
LeBron James (f)
Bill Russell (c)

Second Team
Steph Curry (sg)
Oscar Robertson (pg)
Kobe Bryant (f)
Tim Duncan (f)
Wilt Chamberlain (c)

+ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (c); David Stockton (pg)

Coach: Lenny Wilkens

Notes: I struggled most with the center position, until I finally went with the dude who has the most rings. I also figured that Russell could function as an assistant coach out on the court... If you think I should drop Stockton for Kevin Durant or some other modern day star, put on a video of Stockton dishing the rock. I'd rather have those passing skills than another shooter... I chose Lenny Wilkens over Pat Reilly and Phil Jackson because there's already enough ego in the room... I believe Wilkens gets these guys to gel as a team... You can have every other person who ever played the game, but this team will never lose a game.

Nora's All Time Baseball Team

The Field
Lou Gerhig (1b)
Jackie Robinson (2b)
Ernie Banks (ss)
Mike Schmidt (3b)
Ted Williams (of)
Roberto Clemente (of)
Willie Mays (of)
Johnny Bench (c)
Babe Ruth (dh)

The Rotation
Randy Johnson (lhp)
Warren Spahn (lhp)
Bob Gibson (rhp)
Greg Maddox (rhp)
Tom Seaver (rhp)

+ Mariano Rivera (rh reliever); Sandy Koufax (lh reliever)

Manager: Sparky Anderson

Notes: Conspicuous by their absence are Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons. Two of the greatest players of all time who didn't need to cheat to be considered hall of famers. But they did... Perhaps it's a cheat to put Babe Ruth at designated hitter, as I hate the rule, but it does allow a place for another all time player... If I couldn't have a dh, Ruth would replace Ted Williams in the outfield... Actually it doesn't matter all that much who's in the outfield, because I don't think anyone is going to touch this rotation... By moving Sandy Koufax to reliever, I'm hoping to extend his career.

Nora's All Time Football Team

Offense
Three Quarterbacks: John Elway, Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers
Four Running Backs: Gayle Sayers, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown
Two Tight Ends: Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski
Four Receivers: Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Carter, Don Hutson
Center: Dwight Stephenson
Two Offensive Guards: Jerry Kramer, Gene Upshaw
Two Offensive Tackles: Anthony Munoz, Orlando Pace

Defense
Two Defensive Tackles: Alan Page, Merlin Olsen
Two Defensive Ends: Reggie White, Bruce Smith
Two Outside Linebackers: Lawrence Taylor, Jack Ham
Two Inside Linebackers: Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus
Four Defensive Backs: Ed Reed, Deion Sanders, Ronnie Lott, Gary Fencik

+ Adam Vinatieri (k), Ray Guy (p), Darren Sproles (punt/kick returns)

Coach: Bill Belichick

Notes: No Tom Brady?? With much respect, I think TB is the pinnacle of a system guy. Trust me, as a Browns fan, I'd just as soon pretend that John Elway never lived... I love my four running backs: two that leave you tackling the wind, and two that run you over... I left off Randy Moss for Don Hutson at receiver because Moss couldn't co-exist with Jerry Rice and Chris Carter... No Ray Lewis?? Nope, in my imaginary world, he's in prison for murder. Besides, how can you deny the eyes of Mike Singletary.