Best Starting Five in the NBA

The question has been posed now that we are in the midst of the NBA Playoffs....who has the best starting five in the NBA? If you listen to Chauncey Billips then you would think it was the Detroit Pistons. If you listened to some around me the opinion is mixed. Most though feel that the it's either the Detroit Pistons or the Boston Celtics. I am inclined to go with the Celtics. Now this maybe because I have never liked the Pistons even as the Bad Boys and, because I think so much of the player and the man that Kevin Garnett is. But, let's break this down and maybe you can later give me your opininon.

Positon for Position.

Billups v Rondo - No doubt you must give the nod to Billups here. Billups numbers speak for themselves. But beyond that he is Mr Clutch. He is looking for the ball as much as his teammates are looking for him when the game is on the line. And, he delivers.

Hamilton v Allen - Their head to head numbers in the o7' season are dead on. Hamilton averaging 17.3 and Allen averaging 17.4. Allen takes the nod though on FT% and takes the nod on career points average. In my opinion though its the experience and the intangibles that Allen brings to the court that gives him a slight advantage over Hamilton.

Prince v Pierce - I have never liked Prince even when he was with Kentucky...but that may have something to do with him playing college basketball in the SEC and me being an avid Gator Fan. But, again the numbers point Boston's way. Prince is only averaging 13 points for the 07' season and 12 for his career. And, to me he is never a double double threat although sometimes he lucks up on one because he is getting garbage points in blowouts. Pierce on the other hand is averaging 19.6 this season and almost 24 for his career. Definitely a double double threat on a team with two other major superstars. And, there is no way I can say that Prince makes the other players around him better as Pierce does.

Wallace v Garnett - This is no contest. For the mere reasons of heart and desire to be the best. Rasheed has the potential and talent to be the best at his position ever. But, as Magic stated, "he does not want to be." And, Garnett is a double double every night. But, his work ethic, his spirit as a teammate has as Doc Rivers say, "changed the culture of the team."

McDyess v Perkins - Not enough experience for Perkins here. This is not even close. McDyess is a beast on the boards and averaging as many rebounds as he is points on a night in and night out basis.

So, as you can see the argument can be made here. Detroit's starting five is suspect. And, they collectively lack desire. They have been able to turn it on when they want and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals five straight years but, they lack consistency. And, they are running over in arrogance. Without a doubt the Celtics can compete and take them. I hope we get the chance to see a head to head match-up in the finals....