Jordan (5) - Russell (4) - Stockton (2) - Durant (2) - Garnett (1).
I had to go with MJ! Childhood hero, Space Jam star. This is only $14 spent, so I guess I need to clarify the rest of the picks. Keep in mind I'm amateur level NBA fan, so please don't judge too harshly for my ignorance.
Very tempting to double-up on $5 players by going with Kareem, but I feel like Russell might be the top choice for defensive starpower. His 11 championships is also mind-boggling and I wanted that on the team. Definitely doesn't hurt that he appears to have been one of the all-time NBA good guys.
Stockton was probably my favorite player to watch as a kid. I love how he runs the show and that he's as unselfish a guy as they come, on and off the field. Very smart and gritty player who was a capable defender, too, I think?. As for Isaiah Thomas, Jordan had some kind of grudge against him, anyway.
Durant I don't know too much about, but he seems like he's regarded as a fairly transcendent talent. Maybe a higher ceiling than Julius Erving, about whom I know even less. I read somewhere that Erving's defense was better, but having Russell and Garnett, I favor Durant's offense & upside. I also like that he's a star without the whole celebrity/media personality thing going on, at least it seems so. Just quietly playing hard.
Garnett over Dirk is again for his defense. I'm also partial to KG for his years in Boston and the times I watched him in the playoffs. I really like his game and his competitiveness, and also his unselfishness. Cut from the same cloth as Stockton and Russell, or at least that's the hope.
Cool topic, btw