NBA fans love hearing hypothetical all-time starting fives from their favorite players who believe hold the most value to the game. It can be looked at as a collection of the greatest or the most influential, but you have to be a legend in the game to even be considered in such conversations.
Allen Iverson was once asked what players are on his Mt. Rushmore and he decided to take five names instead of the regular four, insisting he keeps himself off his own list. He named Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Stephen Curry.
“Shaq, Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, and I’m putting Steph on there. I ain’t putting myself there, not on my list.”
The five players he named might be the five most recognizable names that the game has ever produced. Their combination of off-court impact and on-court brilliance cannot be matched easily, as these five players have dominated the NBA for the last 40 years.
Iverson didn’t name himself, but his contribution to the culture is unquestioned. He was dominant on the court, too, becoming the shortest player to win MVP in 2001 and then forcing a game off the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals despite his 76ers’ roster being completely outmatched. He averaged 26.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals for his career.
Iverson Picked A Ferocious Team
Since Iverson gave five names instead of four, I am quite tempted to look at it as an incredibly versatile starting five. Curry and Bryant can form the backcourt, with Jordan playing as the small forward in this case. Both their perimeter defensive pressure can make up for any holes in Steph’s defense, while Curry also spaced the floor for the slashing and mid-range threats.
LeBron and Shaq would have to play as the big men on this team. Shaq will be in his most comfortable position, eating on the inside as a dominant paint presence. LeBron may just be a playmaking power forward here, controlling the ball and setting up his incredible cast of teammates. This combination can be put up against the greatest teams in the league and still probably win by over 30 points.
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