2021 Team LeBron All-Stars vs. 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars: Who Would Win In A 7-Game Series?

Different eras, different rules, different talents, and a different game. That seems to be the main talking point of most fans when the discussion about players from different time periods comes up. There is truth to some of it while other narratives are wildly inaccurate and based purely on one’s bias toward their favorite player. One thing is for certain, each era has its rightful place in history and if we could all just learn to respect the differences between the game and stop arguing about who is better, the basketball world would be a better place.

Today, we are going to put two teams full of superstars from 2 different eras against one another. The best starting lineup from the Eastern Conference in 1996 features some of the greatest players from the 90s, and 2 who were in their primes before injury stole the rest of their careers. The 2021 Team Lebron All-Stars is filled with 5 of the biggest stars in today’s game including 3 different serious MVP candidates at this point in time. We will go matchup-by-matchup to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each team and lay out their path to victory.

Team LeBron 2021: Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic

1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars: Penny Hardaway, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal

This is the 2021 Team LeBron All-Stars vs. The 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Stephen Curry vs. Penny Hardaway

The matchup between Stephen Curry and Penny Hardaway is a matchup of 2 players with completely different builds and skill sets. Curry is going to cause disruption for any defense to try and contain. In a matchup with Penny, Curry’s movement away from the ball and off of screens, which is his bread and butter, will be crucial to his success against bigger and just as speedy Hardaway. Curry should be able to have the same success he always does on the court but Hardaway will make things difficult along the way.

The 1995-96 season was easily the best season of Penny Hardaway’s career. He finished 3rd in the MVP voting that season as he led the Magic to a 60-22 record with his teammate Shaquille O’Neal missing significant time due to injury. Penny will want to use his size and shot creation to wear down Curry on the defensive side of the ball. Penny can take the game to the post if he needs to but he can also get by Curry and penetrate the paint at will. This matchup could end up being one of the best in the entire series.

Luka Doncic vs. Michael Jordan

Luka Doncic will undoubtedly take on the biggest challenge of his career when he faces off against the GOAT, Michael Jordan. Doncic will serve as the team’s primary playmaker, relieving LeBron and Curry of those duties and the ability to focus on other things. Doncic will do what he can to push the pace considering the weapons he has to work with but he will also be able to slow the game down when he needs to which is just the way he likes it. The one thing that could get in his way is Jordan’s physicality on defense, pushing Doncic to the brink of a meltdown like we have seen him reach before.

As for Jordan, well, he just has to be Michael Jordan. Doncic’s defense isn’t exactly among the elite in the league and that favors Jordan in this matchup considerably. Jordan will also look to push the pace and take the ball to the rim at will like he has done so many times before. Doncic cannot contain Jordan in any situation on the court so Jordan will pick him apart piece by piece with the ball in his hands. Look for this to be quite lopsided in favor of No. 23.

LeBron James vs. Grant Hill

LeBron James will hold a distinct advantage over almost any opponent he matches up against. With a combination of speed, strength, and skill, James has the ability to make any opponent look like it is their first time on the court. In this case, James can focus on being something other than well, everything for his team. James will benefit greatly benefit from Curry and Luka controlling the backcourt, allowing him to focus on the many other strength of his game like scoring and facilitating in other ways.

Grant Hill was headed for greatness in 1995-96 when he was selected to the All-Star team for the second season in a row. He was a 20.0 PPG scorer, a 9.8 RPG rebounder, and a 6.8 APG playmaker. Hill, much like LeBron, was a do-it-all forward during his day who will be a great asset for the 1996 All-Stars. Hill will have his hands full on the defensive end but so will the other 9 players on the court in this series. Prime Hill vs. prime LeBron is sure to be a great matchup but James will still hold an advantage.

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Scottie Pippen

Whichever way you slice it, Giannis Antetokounmpo was going to have a favorable mismatch in this series. Giannis is the consensus best player in the world over the last 3 seasons and is one of the best two-way players in basketball. In a matchup with Pippen, Giannis will just have to take things into the paint as often as possible. Pippen is a great defender and will do a great job on him when the game goes to the outside but stands no chance when Giannis is on the inside or in transition. Giannis should have himself a field day if and when the 1996 team doesn’t double-team him.

The 1996 All-Stars are filled with talent when it comes to scoring from top to bottom. For Pippen, he will be the guy they look to for excellence in other areas. Pippen will serve as one of the primary playmakers for the 1996 team and a key piece to their offensive rotations. He will be a finisher and passer in transition as well, relieving some pressure from the other scorers. On defense, Pippen is tasked with a much bigger opponent but will likely be able to switch and take on some wing players as well which is a strength for him. Pippen is no pushover but Giannis will make it seem so in this matchup.

Nikola Jokic vs. Shaquille O’Neal

The matchup of Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal pits two of the greatest players ever at their position with 2 completely different ways that they got there. For Jokic, his path to taking advantage of Shaq in their matchup is quite clear. Jokic will likely have the offense run through him at some points during this matchup and will likely make Shaq chase him outside the paint. Given Jokic’s ability to both shoot fairly well and make any pass he wants to make, Shaq will have to chase him around a bit. I must remind you that this is a smaller and more athletic Shaq in 1996 with the Magic.

Shaq is not too big of a mismatch against Jokic though. O’Neal can do pretty much whatever he wants to Jokic when he gets into the post. The 1996 version of Shaq was incredibly crafty with his footwork and finishing around the rim for a man his size. His athleticism and speed will also be a distinct advantage over Jokic who is a bit slower and less athletic. The defense will be an advantage for Shaq as well considering he was a shot-blocking machine in his younger years. Of all the matchups in this series, this one will provide maybe the most fireworks.

Team LeBron 2021 Advantages

In every matchup between two superteams of this caliber, there are a few distinct advantages for each side. For Team LeBron, one of their distinct advantages will be their playmaking. At each and every position on the court for Team LeBron, there is a player who can make plays for himself and for others. When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, there will be no weaknesses when it comes to getting open shots.

Another advantage for Team LeBron 2021 will be their ability to shoot the ball. Obviously, having Stephen Curry gives them the biggest advantage from that standpoint but shooting is not just about from 3-point range. Doncic and Jokic have been pretty good at shooting the ball within the 3-point line while James is the same way. With their playmaking ability coupled with their ability to knock down shots, Team LeBron 2021 will be a tough team to beat.

Team 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars

The 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars also have a few advantages over Team LeBron 2021. The first of these advantages is the scoring from top to bottom. First, it starts with the greatest scorer of them all, Michael Jordan. Aside from Jordan, the complementary players around him are all 20.0 PPG scorers and 1996 has the best interior scorer on the court. Look for Team 1996 to run up the scoreboard with Jordan and Grant Hill leading the way.

The 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars have another advantage that will make this series surely go the distance. Team 1996 will have a great advantage on defense, especially on the perimeter. It starts with Jordan and Penny in the backcourt as the first line of defense. Jordan will most likely be able to slow Luka down and take the pressure off his teammates. Pippen will have a big job ahead of him as he will switch between Giannis and LeBron but if anyone is up to that task, it’s him. Shaq will also have his work cut out for him but Jokic is no match for him in the paint or the post. Team 1996 should be able to keep the series close with their defensive abilities.

Who Would Win This Matchup In A 7-Game Series?

The series kicks off with the stars of each team going to war against one another. Michael Jordan took control of the game from the outset for Team 1996 with 15 first-quarter points which built a nice lead for his squad. LeBron James was not to be denied and responded in the second half with 24 points of his own. In the end, it was team 1996 with the last laugh as Shaquille O’Neal proved to be way too much in the post for Jokic and Giannis. He finished the game with 35 points and Jordan added 32 as they took a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2 would be the game in which Stephen Curry made his mark on the series. It started with a 6-6 first quarter from Curry beyond the arc. Penny Hardaway did everything he could to work through screens and even had help in a double-team but Curry proved to be too much for him. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan found their undeniable chemistry on the court once again and ran Team LeBron ragged in the 3rd quarter. In the end, Curry powered Team LeBron to an even series with 41 points on 11-14 from three.

In Game 3, the big man duo of Giannis and Nikola Jokic came to play. In the early going, the duo combined for 33 of Team LeBron’s 54 first-half points with a few defensive plays to spark the offense for Team LeBron. Michael Jordan put forward an outstanding effort with 53 points for Team 1996 but it proved to not be enough. Giannis pulled down 14 rebounds to go with his 30 points while Jokic added 25 points and 13 assists. Team LeBron takes Game 3 and the series lead 2-1.

Game 4 is all about the fast-paced play of Team 1996. Jordan and Pippen’s connection carried over to Game 4 with the two putting on a show on the fast break. Shaq got involved once again on both sides of the ball and completely shut down Nikola Jokic. LeBron James and Luka Doncic got the offense going for Team LeBron as Jordan made a switch onto Curry to disrupt their game plan. Jordan’s 54 points and Pippen’s 15 assists led Team 1996 to victory and an even series at 2 games apiece.

A pivotal Game 5 was a dogfight for the first 24 minutes with no team establishing a clear advantage. Late in the 3rd quarter, Stephen Curry began to heat up for Team 1996 again as Jordan switched back onto Doncic for most of the game. Grant Hill added 35 points for Team 1996 but James and Curry were far and away the best players on the court. James’ 30-point triple-double and Curry’s 9 threes led Team LeBron to a 3-2 series lead.

Team 1996 was not about to let the series slip away in Game 6. Penny Hardaway finally found his stroke as he added 19 first-half points for his team and Grant Hill was just as prolific. Nikola Jokic controlled the game from the high post for Team LeBron, dishing out 17 assists in this contest. However, it would be Michael Jordan who reigned supreme on this night with 52 points and 11 assists for Team 1996 as they force a decisive Game 7.

Game 7 would be an all-out slugfest with both teams unwilling to concede an inch to the other. Michael Jordan did Michael Jordan things all night which included an incredible 29-point first half. Stephen Curry was lights out once again from 3, hitting a few from the logo as things were all knotted up heading into the fourth and final quarter. This is where Michael Jordan would prove why he’s the GOAT as LeBron James switched onto him in the waning moments. Not to be denied, Jordan scored the last 10 points for Team 1996, adding to his 60-point night and a series win for the 1996 All-Stars.

Final Result: Team LeBron 2021 All-Stars vs. Team 1996 Eastern Conference All-Stars 3-4

Series MVP: Michael Jordan 

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