It’s back! The Winter edition of the Top 10 is here. The listicle you can’t live without. Just remember– this is a STATE WEBSITE and I expect you to send me ideas for this list. YOU GOT THAT?!?!?!

The Top 10 is brought to you by TJ’S in Portsmouth! My absolute favorite spot in Portsmouth to catch a game. Tell Bethany that McIsaac sent you

 

 

It’s President’s Day, so we’re doing something different – a few years ago I gave you the Top 10 Presidents you’d want to have with you in a bar fight, this time around, it’s the Top 10 Presidents you’d want on your hoops team. Instead of a traditional list, I’m giving you a bench, and starters.

 

BENCH

FRANKLIN PIERCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally considered one of the worst Presidents of all time, he’s only on the team because I need a NH guy. NH guys are winners, aside from when they’re supporting the Kansas-Nebraska act and chirping Lincoln during the Civil War.

 

 

JOHN TYLER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He literally had to come off the bench to be President, after William Henry Harrison died just 31 days into his term. (Pro tip: If it’s cold at your inauguration, wear a hat. It’s hard to look tough when you’re dead from Pneumonia)

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My man ran about 350 pounds, and at 5-11 that’s not a great Body Mass Index, but Taft is here to set screens, and he’s got 5 fouls to use, so go throw that weight around, Bill. Also reportedly got stuck in a bath tub at the White House, that would provide some light moments on long road trips.

ANDREW JACKSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Presidents aren’t all that tall, (Abe Lincoln being the tallest at 6-5), so at 6-1 Jackson gives me a little size off the bench. Plus he was a total scumbag, and you need an agitator off the bench. He’s the Lance Stevenson of my team, only if Lance were genocidal instead of just being a little weird.

JAMES MONROE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need a defensive stopper off the bench, and the Monroe Doctrine told Europe “Take that weak stuff somewhere else, not in my house”. Could cause some chemistry issues maybe, since he blew up Alexander Hamilton’s spot for having an affair. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, Jim.

STARTING 5

GEORGE WASHINGTON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd biggest no brainer of the starting 5, a literal floor general and the only President with a basketball team named after him (although the Washington Generals always lose, which is disconcerting). Not afraid to get after a loose ball, since he doesn’t have real teeth. Decent size at 6-2, which was huge for his day, so he can post up as a guard and take his defender to the cup.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually taller than Washington at 6-2 ½, he knows how to space the floor, as evidenced by the Louisiana Purchase. Can play the European style game as evidenced by his infatuation with France. Constant need for revolution could cause problems with the coaching staff.

GERALD FORD

 

 

 

 

 

The only President not to be elected as POTUS of Vice President (He took over as VP when Spiro Agnew resigned for being a Tax Cheat, and then ascended to POTUS when Nixon resigned for being the (until recently) most crooked guy ever), Ford was a stud athlete at Michigan in his college days. Yes, it was at football and not hoops, but we’re not dealing with the most athletic pool of people here. Plus, he fell down a lot, so he could flop and draw some charges.

ABE LINCOLN

 

 

 

 

 

Our tallest President at 6-5, too small to be a traditional post player against bigs of today, but could tie you in knots as evidenced by his career as an amateur wrestler. Showed he can win on the road after smashing the Confederacy. Was a lawyer, so he can act as his own agent. Might need to work on interior defense after letting John Wilkes Booth get in too close.

BARACK OBAMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only President that actually had GAME!

Helping the NBA start a league in Africa. Held weekly basketball games at the White House. Picked the Men’s and Women’s full NCAA bracket every year, and actually knew what he was talking about. Was reportedly shot down in an attempt to get a workout in at a Seacoast HS gym as a relatively unknown senator in ’07.

NOT MAKING THE CUT

Bill Clinton – Big Arkansas Hawgs fan, but questionable decision making off the court

James Madison – sorry man, 5-4 isn’t gonna cut it.

James K Polk – only 5-8, and if we want to play games in Mexico City, maybe some bad feelings after you seized the whole southwest from them

Ronald Reagan – only PLAYED an athlete, and a football player at that.

Donald Trump – I’m not trying to throw a game to the Russian National Team.

Justin McIsaac writes the Top 10 every week (usually). He is the 2018 NSMA NH Sportscaster of The Year.  He has 1,000 jobs, including radio color commentary for UNH Football, Producer of "NH Today with Jack Heath", HS play by play for MOSN, The McIsaac On Sports Network, college play by play for Dartmouth, St Anselm’s, UNE, Harvard, and whoever else will cut the check. Follow him on Twitter: @justin_mcisaac