Muggsy Bogues played for 14 seasons in the NBA, despite being just 5’3″. In that time, he played alongside some special players, and on the Knuckleheads podcast, the 59-year-old was asked to build a starting lineup with himself and four former teammates.
“Can we have one guy coming off the bench?… I got Vince (Carter) as my two, I got (Larry Johnson) as my three, I got (Charles Oakley) at my four and I got (Alonzo Mourning) at my five and I got Dell (Curry) coming off the bench,” Bogues said.
(starts at 1:03:09 mark):
That is quite an impressive lineup. Vince Carter was an eight-time All-Star who also made two All-NBA teams. He was a teammate of Bogues for two seasons on the Toronto Raptors, from 1999-00 to 2000-01.
Next, we get to Larry Johnson, who was selected with the first pick of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson was a teammate of Bogues for the first five seasons of his career and made two All-Star teams in that time. He also made the All-NBA Second Team in 1993.
Charles Oakley slotted in at power forward and like Carter, he was Bogues’ teammate for those two seasons in Toronto. Oakley made the All-Star team in 1994 and also made two All-Defensive teams.
The last spot on the starting lineup went to Alonzo Mourning, who might well have been the best player Bogues played with. Mourning played with him for the first three seasons of his career, after being selected with the second pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Hornets. He went on to become a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time All-Star.
Dell Curry earned a spot on the bench for Bogues and they were teammates on the Hornets and the Raptors. Curry was one of the best shooters of his era and won Sixth Man of the Year in 1994.
As for who missed out here, there are some notable names. The most notable one was Moses Malone, who was a teammate of Bogues for one season on the Washington Bullets. He also played with Glen Rice on the Hornets and later with Tracy McGrady on the Raptors.
Muggsy Bogues Believes He Would Thrive In Today’s NBA
I mentioned Bogues’ height earlier and he remains, to this day, the shortest player in NBA history. The fact that he played for so long while being so short is quite impressive, especially considering he predominantly played in the 1990s. With how well he did in that era, Bogues was once asked if he would have had an even better career in today’s NBA.
“I feel if you ask any player that would say they could play in any era. I appreciate what I was able to do during my time in the league. I do think if I played in 2022 I would do well– the fast gameplay would fall right into my wheelhouse.”
I think Bogues could have done well offensively. He was a great playmaker at his peak (averaged 10.7 APG in 1989-90 and 1993-94) and was lightning fast as well. The issue, however, is that he would just get hunted on defense. That would limit his minutes greatly and I think Bogues would have to settle for a role as a spark plug off the bench.
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