With the New York Knicks just three wins away from their first NBA title in 53 years, it has plenty of people obsessing over NBA history. A website called 82-0.com has gone viral this week, as users can build their ultimate all-time NBA team and try to go 82-0.
For a basketball junkie, it’s as addicting as watching old Shawn Kemp highlight reels.
Here is how the game works:
- The Draft: At the start of each round, users will spin to get a random team and decade. You then pick one player from that era to add to your roster. You must complete five rounds to create a starting lineup.
- Building your lineup: You must fill all five traditional basketball positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
- Team rating: Your team will be rated on points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, and blocks per game. The higher the stats for the players you pick, the more games you will win. Of note, older eras did not keep track of all defensive stats so the website estimates them in a “fair” manner.
- The goal: The goal is to create the best all-time NBA possible and go 82-0!
I’ve heard more than enough … and I now know what I’m doing for the rest of the afternoon.
Round 1
OK … really excited. It’s my first crack at this.
The site lets you pick “Classic” or “Hoop IQ”. The difference is that “Classic” actually shows you the players’ stats before you pick. “Hoop IQ” does not.
While I have a basketball memory like a steel trap, I’ll put it on rookie mode for my virgin round.
Spin 1: I get the Celtics from this current decade. I can pick Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, or even Evan Fournier if I want to throw people for a loop.
I’ll go with the conventional choice here and take Tatum. You can place Tatum at either the small forward or power forward position. I’ll put him at PF because I’m banking on there being other high-scoring small forwards available down the line.
Spin 2: Dammit!!!! … Immediate regrets!
My choice to put Tatum at PF immediately backfires as I get the 1990s Phoenix Suns. I can’t pick Charles Barkley because he’s only listed as a PF. Tom Chambers (19.2 ppg) is the second option statistically but he’s also only listed as a PF.
Will have to settle for Kevin Johnson as my PG. KJ averaged 18.8 ppg and a strong 9.2 assists per game.
Spin 3: I get the 2000s Houston Rockets. Will definitely go with Tracy McGrady here. The problem is, T-Mac is listed as both an SG and SF. Damn you, positionless basketball!
Knowing my luck, if I put T-Mac as an SG here, the next round I’ll get the 1990s Chicago Bulls. Therefore, I’ll slot him in as my SF.
Spin 4: Gross. The 2010s Pacers. Paul George’s numbers are surprisingly underwhelming (18.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.2 apg). But did I forget how good Victor Oladipo was? His numbers are better than George’s as he’s at 21.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, and an impressive 2.2 steals per game.
I don’t think Victor Oladipo as your starting 2-guard is going to get you to 82-0, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
So, here’s what we’ve got so far:
- PG: KJ
- SG: Oladipo
- SF: T-Mac
- PF: Tatum
- C: TBD
I’m a realist. That’s good, but not great. Not one league MVP in that bunch. I’m due Wilt Chamberlain or Shaq in the next round.
Spin 5: Aaaaand instead I get the 2000s Grizzlies. Brutal.
Am I going to have to go with “Big Country” Bryant Reeves here? Seriously?!
Looking deeper, though, this isn’t the worst team/decade combo. 82-0.com has graciously listed Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Pau Gasol as an option at center. Shareef has better numbers than Pau, so I’ll go with him.
So, my lineup is now set. Having never done this before, I’m predicting a record of like 72-10. It’s a great team, just not one that would go 82-0.
The verdict: The site gives my team a record of 63-19. Fair, I suppose.
Round 2
Can’t wait to go at it, again.
This time I’ll go blind when it comes to stats and roll with “Hoop IQ.”
Spin 1: Now we’re talkin’!
I get the 2010s Cavs right out of the gate. Unlike with the “Classic” mode, it does not list the best players from that era right at the top. It's in alphabetical order … so, sorry Alec Burks, you’re not getting chosen by me just because Mama Burks gave you a first name that starts with the letter “A.”
I’ll have to do some real legwork here and actually type in the name, “LeBron.”
What’s crazy is that LBJ is listed as a PG, SG, SF, PF and C!
Mo’ positions, mo’ problems!
Here’s where the strategy part really comes into play. What position is the most difficult to fill? And what is the easiest?
I’m going to go with LeBron as my SF here … banking that I’ll get a traditional assist powerhouse at PG and a traditional rebound and block powerhouse in the coming rounds.
Spin 2: Oh no! … the 2000s Wizards. The Wizards, in any era, are … not good.
That said, I can pair old man MJ with LeBron. On paper, that would look cool. And I believe MJ’s numbers on the Wizards were a little better than most people remember.
But I decide to go with Gilbert Arenas here. He is listed only as a PG.
Spin 3: Ooof. The Pistons of the 1970s.
The ’70s are a real weak spot for me. I’d even prefer the 60s when I at least could recognize most of the Celtics and Lakers.
While 82-0 does not show the stats in “Hoop IQ,” you can toggle between positions. When I click on Center, up pops Bob Lanier.
I’ve heard of him.
Bob Lanier … you’re my center.
Spin 4: 1990s Lakers! Love it … I think.
I can choose from Magic, Worthy, Kobe or Shaq? … Err, actually I can’t do Shaq because I already picked a center.
Kobe was obviously phenomenal in the ’90s, but he was still deferring to Shaq most of the time in those days.
Magic was on his last legs and his brief comeback in the mid-’90s might hurt his numbers here. But Earvin is listed as a PG, SG and a PF here. So versatile!
Will slot Magic in as my PF, giving me a lineup of this with one slot to go:
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: TBD
SF: LeBron James
PF: Magic Johnson
Center: Bob Lanier
If I can land 1980s or 1990s Chicago Bulls here … c’mon baby!
Spin 5: 2000s Wizards, again!!!???!!! Is this a joke? Some sort of cruel game? This is no way to treat a new customer, 82-0.com!
I was tempted to pick early 2000s MJ earlier … and I was just begging for MJ (albeit the one from the ‘80s or ’90s) a second ago. Will go with him here.
An old Magic, an old Michael, and a prime LeBron on the same squad? Not too shabby.
This team seems much better than my first. I’ll project a 75-7 record.
The verdict: I get a 70-12 record for this bunch. I’ll take it.
Overview
What a blast!
It’s pretty easy to see why uncs and Gen Zers alike were salivating over this game on social media this week.
My summer goal is no longer to lose 10 pounds … it’s to crack the 82-0 code.
