Basketball is a family business, and some of the greatest players in NBA history have passed their skills down to the next generation. But what if we assembled the best All-NBA Dad Team and put them up against the All-NBA Son Team in a seven-game series?
The Dad Team has an all-time IQ, defensive versatility, and plenty of experience. LeBron James is always at an MVP level and is the renowned father of Bronny James. He is joined by John Stockton (father of David Stockton), Gary Payton (father of Gary Payton II), Scottie Pippen (Scottie Pippen Jr.’s father), and Patrick Ewing (Patrick Ewing Jr.’s father).
Meanwhile, the Son Team is built for the modern NBA, featuring the greatest shooter ever (Stephen Curry, son of Dell), one of the best shot-creators (Devin Booker, son of Melvin), and the relentless Mamba Mentality of Kobe Bryant (son of Joe Bryant). Klay Thompson (son of Mychal Thompson) and Domantas Sabonis (son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis) are completing their lineup.
All-NBA Dad Team: John Stockton, Gary Payton, LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing
All-NBA Son Team: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Klay Thompson, Kobe Bryant, Domantas Sabonis
Let’s dive further into the All-Dad and All-Son Advantages to see how this matchup breaks down and also who would eventually come out in an exciting seven-game series.
All-NBA Dad Advantages
The biggest advantage for the Dad Team is their defensive versatility and physicality. Scottie Pippen and Gary Payton are two of the greatest perimeter defenders in NBA history, and together, they would make life miserable for Steph Curry and Devin Booker.
LeBron James gives this squad a point-forward playmaker who can control the tempo, while Patrick Ewing’s size and interior presence make scoring in the paint a nightmare for the Sons. This group has seen every offensive scheme imaginable, and their defensive IQ would allow them to adjust and counter the high-powered attack of their sons.
Experience and basketball IQ are another massive edge. Every player on the Dad Team has spent decades studying the game, and with LeBron orchestrating the offense, they wouldn’t be rattled by any run or hot streak from the Sons.
Stockton’s passing ensures crisp ball movement, while Payton’s trash talk alone could throw Booker and Klay off their rhythm. The Dads may not have the same level of perimeter shooting as the Sons, but they know how to grind out tough wins, play smart, and execute in crunch time.
All-NBA Son Team Advantages
The Son Team has a clear and overwhelming advantage in scoring firepower and modern offensive skill sets. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Devin Booker are three of the deadliest shooters in NBA history, making this team impossible to guard on the perimeter.
Defenses that sag to help on Kobe Bryant will get torched from deep while trying to go one-on-one against Kobe or Booker in isolation is a losing battle. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis gives them a high-IQ big who can facilitate, rebound, and keep the offense flowing with screens and handoffs.
Another key advantage? Pace and spacing. The Sons play in an era where floor spacing and three-point shooting dominate, and they would force the Dads out of their comfort zone.
With Curry running the show, they’d push the tempo, fire from deep at an unprecedented rate, and run the Dads off the floor in transition. While the Dads have the edge in physicality and defense, the Sons would counter with speed, shot-making, and relentless scoring pressure. If this series turns into a shootout, it’s hard to see the Dads keeping up.
Who Would Win In A 7-Game Series?
Kobe Bryant sets the tone early in Game 1 of the series with 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Steph Curry adds 30 points with 7 threes. The Sons play at an electric pace, pushing the ball in transition and forcing the Dads into a shootout they can’t win. LeBron James tries to keep the Dads in it with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, but the Sons’ three-point barrage (19 made threes) proves too much.
In Game 2, the Dads make adjustments, slowing the game down and turning it into a physical battle. Gary Payton hounds Curry all night, holding him to just 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Patrick Ewing dominates the paint with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while LeBron orchestrates the offense masterfully with 25 points and 12 assists. Despite 29 points from Kobe, the Sons struggle to get into a rhythm against the Dads’ suffocating defense.
In Game 3, Klay Thompson finally explodes, dropping 34 points on 8-of-12 shooting from deep, stretching the Dads’ defense to its limit. Kobe continues his dominance with 32 points and 6 assists, attacking at will. The Dads keep it close behind Pippen’s stellar all-around game (21 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), but the Sons’ elite shooting (54% from the field) proves too overwhelming in the second half.
LeBron delivers a vintage playoff masterpiece in Game 4, putting up a near triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. The Dads dominate the paint, outscoring the Sons 52-28 inside, with Ewing controlling the boards (18 rebounds). Kobe (28 points) keeps the Sons alive late, but Payton and Pippen swarm him in the final minutes, forcing tough shots and sealing the game with free throws. Series tied 2-2.
With the series now a best-of-three, Kobe flips the switch into full “Mamba Mode” in Game 5. He drops 41 points, hitting clutch jumpers over Pippen and Payton all night, while also dishing 7 assists. Steph Curry adds 27 points, including a deep dagger three to ice the game late. The Dads struggle offensively, with Stockton (4 points, 10 assists) unable to create enough open looks for his teammates.
A classic showdown that goes into overtime in Game 6. The Dads grind this one out with a defensive masterclass, holding the Sons to just 5 points in the extra period. LeBron takes over late, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, including a clutch and-one layup over Sabonis. Kobe scores 35 points, but the Dads trap him relentlessly down the stretch, forcing two key turnovers. The series is heading to Game 7.
When it matters most, Kobe Bryant delivers one of the greatest Game 7 performances ever, dropping 44 points on 16-of-27 shooting. He attacks relentlessly, sinking mid-range daggers and finishing through contact at the rim. Curry adds 26 points with six threes, and Sabonis provides key offensive rebounds and putbacks. LeBron (30 points, 11 assists) does everything he can to will the Dads to victory, but the Sons’ superior firepower proves too much. A late Kobe fadeaway over Pippen seals it, and the Sons celebrate their hard-fought series win.
Winner: All-NBA Team Son vs. All-NBA Team Dad 4-3
MVP: Kobe Bryant
Credit for idea: Basketball Forever
