Having the best starting NBA team is almost impossible! this is a guess based on potential chemistry, complementary skill sets and just overall talent level. The team will consist of a more “classic” approach on a lineup with your traditional power forward and center, in place of the modern day stretch-4 and stretch-5.
Michael Jordan
How could he not be? Arguably, the greatest player of all time has to be on the squad, for all the reasons. Elite scoring, winning mentality, elite defender, athleticism, versatility. He is Michael freaking Jordan for heaven’s sake! Tough to leave guys like Kobe Bryant off the team, but MJ is MJ, and he makes every top five and every all time starting five.
Jason Kidd
Could have gone with Magic Johnson here, but Jason Kidd is an all time favorite, and probably the closest thing to Magic Johnson in terms of triple-doubles, assists, and passing ability. J-Kidd is a true pass-first point guard, who knows when and where to get his teammates the rock and he had zero ego when it came to scoring. He was the perfect complement for some of the ball-dominant scorers who fill out this team. He brought the ability to operate in the pick and roll with the bigs and was able hit the open three when defenders forget about him. Kidd would be the glue guy in any five because he came with a basketball IQ that was through the roof.
Recommended Stories
LeBron James
King James has revolutionized the game of basketball as a hybrid of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson all in one. He can guard all five positions, score at a high level, facilitate the offense, and lives above the rim with the best of all time. LBJ brings a unique level of versatility to the team and pairing him with the likes of a Michael Jordan would be a dream come true for basketball fans.
Dirk Nowitzki
There are a handful of brilliant power forwards that could have made the this team – Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley and Chris Bosh name a few.
Nowitzki gets the nod because this team needs a pure shooter and someone who can play inside and out. For as good as MJ and LBJ are, they aren’t pure the three point shooter Dirk is . He had the ability to stretch the floor and open lanes for the big boys to fly through. Dirk brought a Euro flair and a silky smooth jumper to complement the players around him. He also had no ego, was willing to share the scoring load to other players when needed and has played, and won, with J-Kidd in his career.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq may have been the greatest center to ever do it. Maybe not the most skilled, but in terms of dominance, it’s Shaq all day and twice on Sunday. A big bodied monster who could post you up, posterize you, and protect the rim. Shaq completes this dominant starting five’s winning mentality, having won 4 NBA titles of his own during his career. As long as he isn’t shooting a lot of free throws, this team would be in good shape with him at center.
