Nick Young, also known as Swaggy P, made a surprising change to his all-time starting five, removing Stephen Curry in favor of his former teammate and longtime friend Gilbert Arenas. Speaking on the SloaneKnows show, Young joked that he didn’t want to upset Arenas by leaving him off his list, so he made the unexpected decision to drop Curry from his lineup.
“It’s like Steph, KD, Kobe. I would take Steph out just because, you know, I don’t want Gil to be mad at me. I’m gonna put Gil in, but Steph knows. Okay. As my center, Andrew Bynum and Iguodala.”
Young’s reasoning was clearly lighthearted, as he acknowledged that Curry is well aware of his greatness. But the move was a nod to his strong bond with Arenas, who was a major influence on his career. Arenas and Young were teammates during Young’s early years with the Washington Wizards, where Arenas was the franchise’s biggest star and Young was an up-and-coming scorer.
Swapping Curry for Arenas is a bold move considering Curry’s status as the greatest shooter of all time and a four-time NBA champion. However, Arenas was one of the most electrifying scorers in the mid-2000s, known for his deep three-pointers, clutch performances, and brash confidence.
At his peak, Agent Zero was one of the best offensive guards in the league, averaging 29.3 points per game in the 2005-06 season while earning three consecutive All-Star selections.
Young’s full all-time starting five was a bit unconventional, featuring Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Andrew Bynum. While Kobe and KD are undeniable all-time greats, including Bynum and Iguodala raises some eyebrows.
Bynum was an important piece of the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 championship runs, making an All-Star team in 2012 before injuries derailed his career. Iguodala, meanwhile, was known more for his defensive impact and versatility, winning the 2015 NBA Finals MVP with the Warriors.
Young’s choices were influenced by personal connections rather than just pure basketball greatness. Throughout his career, Young played alongside some of the biggest names in the NBA, and, understandably, he would show love to the players who had a major impact on his journey.
Despite leaving Curry out, Young made it clear that he respects Chef Curry’s game. Curry has changed the sport with his three-point shooting and floor-spacing ability, revolutionizing how teams approach offense. A two-time MVP and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Curry’s resume speaks for itself.
Ultimately, Young’s all-time five is more about personal loyalty than historical rankings. He made sure to pay tribute to Arenas, who helped mentor him early in his career and included some of his former teammates like Bynum and Iguodala. While Curry might have been snubbed in this instance, it’s safe to say he won’t lose any sleep over it.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
