NBA

What an All-Time NBA Starting Lineup Would Look Like

Luke Norris Sports Editor

Published20 May 2021

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There have been nearly 5,000 different NBA players who have suited up for at least one game since the league was first formed in 1946 and we’ve obviously seen incredible talent at each and every position. So what we’ve decided to do here today is take the best of the best at each position to create an all-time starting five. Some choices were easier than others and it was extremely difficult to put players such as Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird on the bench (yes, we’ve got backups as well). Even 11-time champion Bill Russell couldn’t crack the starting five.

So who did? Let’s take a look.

Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

There have obviously been a ton of great centers over the last seven-plus decades and while a case could be made for the likes of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and numerous others, we’re rolling with the league’s all-time leading scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played a total of 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 blocks, 0.9 steals
Six-time NBA champion
Two-time NBA Finals MVP
Six-time NBA MVP
19-time All-Star
15-time All-NBA selection (10 First Team, five Second Team)
11-time All-Defensive selection (five First Team, six Second Team)
1969-1970 Rookie of the Year
Two-time scoring champion
One-time rebounds leader
Four-time blocks leader

Backup: Bill Russell

Power forward: Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan was everything that a basketball player should be. He played his entire 19-year career with one franchise, the San Antonio Spurs, and embodied excellence with his fundamental play and incredible leadership.

19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, 0.7 steals
Five-time NBA champion
Three-time NBA Finals MVP
Two-time NBA MVP
15-time All-Star
One-time All-Star Game MVP
15-time All-NBA selection (10 First Team, three Second Team, two Third Team)
15-time All-Defensive selection (eight First Team, seven Second Team)
1997-1998 Rookie of the Year

Backup: Karl Malone

Small forward: LeBron James

Some might not actually classify LeBron James as a small forward given how much he handles the basketball but that’s the position at which he’s been listed the most throughout his career and there was no way we were going to leave him out of this starting lineup. We’re guessing a lot of people won’t be happy with his inclusion but he deserves to be here.

27.0 points, 7.4 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks
Four-time NBA champion
Four-time NBA Finals MVP
Four-time NBA MVP
17-time All-Star
Three-time All-Star Game MVP
16-time All-NBA selection (13 First Team, two Second Team, one Third Team)
Six-time All-Defensive selection (five First Team, one Second Team)
2003-2004 Rookie of the Year
One-time scoring champion
One-time assists leader

Backup: Larry Bird

Shooting guard: Michael Jordan

Ummm…it’s Michael Jordan. Do we really need to say anything else?

30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.8 blocks
Six-time NBA champion
Six-time NBA Finals MVP
Five-time NBA MVP
14-time All-Star
Three-time All-Star Game MVP
11-time All-NBA selection (10 First Team, one Second Team)
Nine-time All-Defensive selection (all First Team)
One-time Defensive Player of the Year
1984-1985 Rookie of the Year
10-time scoring champion
Three-time steals leader

Backup: Kobe Bryant

Point guard: Magic Johnson

With his unparalleled vision, incredible versatility, and overall leadership, Magic Johnson easily takes the starting point guard spot on this fantasy team.