James Worthy, a Los Angeles Lakers legend and Hall of Famer, recently unveiled his ultimate all-time starting five during an appearance on Byron Scott’s podcast. In a move sure to spark debates among fans, Worthy made some controversial decisions, notably excluding Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, two of the most celebrated players in NBA history. Instead, Worthy focused on building a well-rounded team featuring a blend of iconic talent and unique skills.
“Magic at one, MJ at two, Kareem is my center and that’s a tough decision because there’s some bad a**es out there.”
“I am going to go with, it’s between Tim Duncan or Karl Malone, but I’m going to go with Karl Malone at four. I left Kobe, out, it’s hard. My small forward, I need me a scorer man, I gotta go with Larry.”
Worthy began by naming Magic Johnson as his point guard, a selection that likely came as no surprise given their history as teammates on the Lakers’ legendary Showtime squads. Magic, widely regarded as the greatest point guard in NBA history, brought unmatched playmaking, leadership, and size to the position.
Over his career, Magic averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game, earning five NBA championships, three MVP awards, and three Finals MVP honors. For Worthy, Magic’s vision and ability to elevate his teammates made him an easy choice to orchestrate his dream lineup.
At shooting guard, Worthy selected Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and widely regarded GOAT. Jordan’s scoring dominance, relentless competitiveness, and knack for excelling in clutch moments set him apart as a no-brainer for this spot. Over his career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, winning five MVP awards, six Finals MVPs, and 10 scoring titles.
Worthy emphasized Jordan’s ability to dominate on both ends of the floor, making him the ultimate complement to Magic in the backcourt.
For the center position, Worthy chose Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer until recently surpassed by LeBron James. Kareem’s dominance over two decades, highlighted by his signature skyhook, made him an indispensable piece of Worthy’s ultimate lineup.
Kareem averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game throughout his career, earning six NBA championships, six MVP awards, and 19 All-Star selections. Worthy praised Kareem’s consistency and ability to dominate in any era, making him the cornerstone of this hypothetical team.
At power forward, Worthy faced a tough decision between Tim Duncan and Karl Malone. Ultimately, he selected Malone, citing the “Mailman’s” scoring prowess and physicality. Malone is third all-time in career points, with averages of 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, and was a two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star. Worthy admired Malone’s durability and ability to deliver offensively night in and night out, making him the ideal fit for his lineup.
Finally, at small forward, Worthy went with Larry Bird, another contentious choice given the snub of LeBron James. Bird, a three-time champion, three-time MVP, and 12-time All-Star, was one of the greatest shooters and competitors in NBA history. Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while defining the Celtics’ dominance in the 1980s.
Worthy highlighted Bird’s scoring ability and versatility, stating he needed a player who could reliably put points on the board and space the floor.
Worthy’s decision to exclude LeBron James and Kobe Bryant was shocking, given their immense contributions to basketball and the Lakers franchise. Both players are perennial picks for such lists, with LeBron’s all-around brilliance and Kobe’s Mamba Mentality often placing them among the greats. Worthy acknowledged the difficulty of leaving them out, underscoring the challenge of narrowing down an all-time lineup when so many legends deserve recognition.
Worthy’s ultimate starting five—Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—balances playmaking, scoring, and dominance in every aspect of the game. While the snubs of LeBron and Kobe will undoubtedly stir debate, Worthy’s picks reflect his perspective on the players he believes would make the most unstoppable team in NBA history.
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