Building your dream 2K starting five isn’t something NBA players do every day, since most of the time they only get asked about their dream starting five in real life. But the former number one draft pick, Paolo Banchero, found himself in this unique position along with Chet Holmgren.
During a promotional interview for NBA 2K26, the Orlando Magic star revealed that he’s picking Penny Hardaway, automatically leaving behind Stephen Curry, for his dream starting five in the coveted game.
“I’m putting Lakers Shaq as a five. I’m going to put Thunder KD at the four. I’m going to put Miami Bron as my three through five. And then I’m going to go, I ain’t gonna lie, I might go Penny Hardaway at the point… And I need one more, you know, I’m going to go (with) Jordan.” Banchero said.
The pause before taking the point guard’s name could very well be because even he probably knew he was picking in the minority. Most people would take Curry for his exceptional shooting and passing abilities. Especially peak Curry from the 2016-18 era.
Even Holmgren, who built his dream five first in the interview, went with the Golden State Warriors superstar.
“18 Harden. You probably got to put 93 or 96 Jordan on there. You’ve got to put like ‘06 Kobe, one of them Bron’s… Probably 2016 Steph, and 2014 KV,” the Oklahoma City Thunder star said.
Picking between Penny Hardaway and Stephen Curry is an easy choice for most players, but playing for the Magic and probably choosing that team a lot on 2k, Banchero has a different perspective.
He feels taking the 90s playmaking machine with defensive prowess rates higher, and serves his interests on the court better than Curry’s elite passing, ball movement, and historical three-point shooting abilities.
Hardaway’s rating is 94 for the NBA 2k26 edition. Curry’s rating has been fluctuating in the mid-90s, but peaked at 96 for three consecutive seasons, from 2021 to 2024. Many would expect Banchero would’ve picked 2022 Curry over Penny Hardaway, as he is arguably the best version of Curry in the game. But Banchero had other plans and gave a shout-out to the legend of his own franchise.
During the interview, Banchero repeatedly beat Holmgren and even had a highlight reel moment when the two played on the same team, so maybe he knows what he’s talking about when he’s talking about the game.
Although he did agree that the game is all muscle memory to him now, and he doesn’t think about how he plays or doesn’t take away anything from the game anymore, since once you’re part of the league, you’re seeing these things happen in real time, in real life.
“I don’t take anything from it, man. Once you’re in the league, you get to (live it).” Banchero noted, and Holmgren agreed.
Banchero stops during the interview to ask Holmgren how it felt to hoist the trophy. And Holmgren revealed that it was a surreal feeling, but he did note that he did not cry in that moment.
“Bro, that **** was the sickest thing you’ll ever do,” Holmgren said. “I ain’t cry. Honestly, it’s crazy cause I didn’t cry when I got drafted. I didn’t cry when we won it… I’m not a crier, bro, but when I got hurt, I cried both times. That **** is ****** up. I’m not a happy crier,” Holmgren added.
The interaction showed that Banchero, despite being the first overall pick, has a lot left to prove and achieve in the league. He has not been given an ideal situation, being in a small market franchise, but Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder have just showcased that building slowly but surely is a key to success in this league, and the top spot is open for anyone willing to go through the grind.
