Charley Rosen undertook a fun exercise on FOX Sports by trying to come up with all-star teams consisting of players born in a certain city. For example, here’s Detroit:
The starters: B. J. Armstrong, Jalen Rose, George Gervin, Chris Webber, and P. J. Brown.
The subs: Marcus Fizer, Willie Green, Howard Eisley, Jermaine Jackson, Voshon Lenard, Ira Newble, and Maurice Taylor.
The coach would be Chuck Daly, a transplanted Philadelphian.
To be honest, I don’t know if I ever know P.J. Brown was from Michigan, but it says here he was born in Detroit. I’m not sure why Southfield’s Ira Newble made the list and Birmingham’s Shane Battier didn’t, and if we’re talking about all-time, you definitely can’t leave out Hall of Famer Detroiter Dave DeBusschere.
Can we include Lansing? Because Magic Johnson would be a nice fit. What about Flint or Saginaw? Morris Peterson and Jason Richardson, respectively, could easily replace Eisley or Jackson. And what about Hamtramck’s own Rudy Tomjanovich? He’s more known for being a coach these days, but he averaged 17 and 8 over 11 seasons with the Rockets.
Hat-tip: TrueHoop
What? No Derrick Coleman!!!!!!
Apparently Coleman was born in Alabama, but considering he played high school ball in Detroit maybe he should be included.
This list helped me come with some of the names I mentioned.
Dave DeBusschere went to Austin High School (Detroit) and the University of Detroit. He was drafted by the Pistons. He had all-world defense. At 6′6, 225, he’s more of a small forward without an outside shot in today’s game. Dave’s inclusion is absolutely necessary. He’s as Detroit as it gets.
You also can’t exclude Spencer Haywood, who went to Pershing and University of Detroit.
http://www.nba.com/history/players/haywood_bio.html
Add this dynamite player to the list, and let us get rid of Ira Newble.
I think ya’ll are being a little harsh on Ira Newble. The guy brings at least 4 things to the table that very few NBA players excell at. A) He knows he sucks and has no interest in things like “earning his contract” or “increasing his playing time”. B) He’s really good at appearing to be emotionally involved in the game every time the camera pans the bench. When Cleveland is losing, he’s all frustrated and bummed out. When Lebron drops two FT’s he’s jumping up and down trying to hump Ilgauskas. C) Really funky hair that doesn’t suit the shape of his head at all. D) The name “Ira Newble” is automatically funny sounding. In light of this I can see no way to remove Ira Newble from the all time greatest Detroit team.
(On a more serious note, I just did a mental rundown on players who match the above description and realized that Cleveland has like 3 other guys who DO THE EXACT SAME THING. Apparently Bad Hair + Very Little Talent = Cav4Lyfe)
How about Steve Smith or Shane Battier? They both played high school in Detroit, but I’m not sure if they were born there.
Steve Smith was born in Highland Park — nice catch.
johnny davis… http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisjo01.html
Paul Griffin…
http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=GRIFFPA01
tim mccormik… http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MCCORTI01
first two are kinda old timers (more so than some other names listed), but i think they work. i’m in college and did a paper on the topic along with the other three leagues.
fun to chat about tho.
Remember in 2003, when Detroit met the Nets in the Easter Conference Finals? I remember Kenyon Martin wearing a Detroit hat to one of the later games in the series. He’s from Saginaw. So if he’s healthy, and not being a prick, let’s let him rep the D.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3400
Wow. I didn’t know we could count Mel Daniels, arguably the best center in ABA history. He rounds out a nice “Detroit City Limits” frontcourt with Webber, DeBusschere, Terry Tyler, Rudy T, Danny Roundfield, PJ Brown and Battier.
I dont think it matters, if they are from Detroit or not…I think we could make exceptions for some talent that has came from up North (Lansing, Saginaw, and Flint). Michigan is Michigan im always proud to see athletes from here make it to the Big Leagues even if they dont play for the Pistons.
Though he may not have a spot in a team expanded state-wide, it’d still be nice to see John Long’s name up there.
And for that matter, his nephews, Grant Long and Terry Mills.
Hell, I’ll even throw Earl Cureton in for good measure.
How about Mateen Cleaves?
Just joking…seriously
http://www.clutch3.com
Terry Mills
Dan Majerle