The UCLA All-Time Best Starting Five

It’s almost March and that means, March Madness. Historically, it is during March certain players, through playing a major role in their teams winning, become great. Who can forget Michael Jordan hitting the winning shot? Who can forget the Michigan State vs. Indiana State finals when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird battled?  It is these players that become members of their universities’ all-time starting five.

Coach Wooden has selected his UCLA all-time best starting five. Do you know who they are? Before I give you the answer, I’m going to allow you to guess. Here is some information that may help.

Center Position

It’s got to be either Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor back in the day) or Bill Walton. (Swen Nater should be considered for honorable mention for beating Walton up in practices, humor, and unusual ability to clean the locker room after games.)

Point Guard

Coach has often said, Mike Warren was his best leader/point guard, but there were others like Walt Hazzard, Andre McCarter, Henry Bibby, and Don Johnson, all All-Americans.

Shooting Guard

You’ve got to put Gail Goodrich on the list. This guy could shoot the lights out. Henry Bibby could be in this position also, perhaps more fittingly than point guard because he was a pure shooter.

Small Forward

When selecting players for this honor, you have to consider, not only offense but defense. If so, Keith Erickson should be mentioned as he was the very best “back man” on the press we ever had. Don’t forget about Curtis Rowe, and Lynn Shackelford.

Strong Forward

Sidney Wicks may be the best ever but what about Kenny Heights who held Elvin Hayes down in the finals? How about Dave Meyers?

I’m sure I missed some so go ahead and Google your hearts out and come up with some more. I’ll wait.

OK, you’re back. Now for the answer. In his book, Wooden, A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court, on pages 74 and 75, under the heading of “All-Time Best Starting Five,” Coach lists:

1.    Industriousness

2.    Enthusiasm

3.    Condition (mental, moral, and physical)

4.    Fundamentals

5.    Team Spirit

How did Coach Wooden win 10 national championships, 36 straight play-off wins, 88 games in a row, during a span of 12 years? It is because his “All-Time Best Starting Five” had no limit on eligibility. They were there all twelve years, and the 15 years before that. You might say, we won because we had ten players on the floor.

I knew I didn’t have a chance of getting on that team anyway. But, perhaps if I changed my name to “Fundamentals” or “Team Spirit”………

Swen