Starting 5

by Ben Osborne This is picked up from SLAM 133, which you better have picked up by now, as it’s even fresher in print… The mission: take all the players drafted in the SLAM era (’94-’09) and pick the best starting unit. There’s any number of “dream teams” we could build, but, gun to head, we’re rocking with these guys. Kobe Bryant, ‘96 The Air Apparent We know, we know, there will never be another Mike. But you have to admit, Kobe has done a pretty good impression, and if he picks up rings five and six in the next few years, there are some folks in L.A. who will be ready to argue with anyone who wants it. From the acrobatics to the fundamentals, the strong will to the work ethic, Kobe simply has what it takes. Kevin Garnett, ‘95 Da (Former) Kid A SLAM favorite since his senior at Farragut in the Chi, the Big Ticket entered the League with a skinny frame and a wide smile. A trail blazer for the run of preps-to-pros stars who entered the NBA from ‘96-05...