There is hardly anyone who’d argue that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets are not the two favorites to win it all in the 2021-22 NBA season. The teams are heavily stacked and on paper, it seems almost impossible to defeat them.
The similarities do not end here as both teams had their previous season affected by injuries and are now looking to make a huge comeback. But there is one major difference between them – age.
The Lakers are relatively older than the Nets. That doesn’t mean they are not a threat, if anything, they are the biggest threat in the Western Conference. As for the Nets, they have a phenomenal roster led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
What if a lineup was created by combining the two teams? Well, ClutchPoints asked this very question on Twitter. They posted an image on Twitter featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and James Harden. With it, the page gave fans the task of coming up with a 5-man team from only two NBA teams to defeat this imaginary over-stacked team.
Form a 5-man lineup from 2 NBA teams that could beat this five:
• Russell Westbrook
• James Harden
• LeBron James
• Kevin Durant
• Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/8fgVKs6kCl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 13, 2021
NBA fans accepted this challenge with open arms and came up with various combinations to defeat the team.
My picks
PG @ I.Thomas (DET)
SG @ M. Jordan (CHI)
PF @ D. Rodman (DET)
SF @ S. Pippen (CHI)
C @ B. Laimbeer (DET)
— 𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙻𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚣 (@JaythanLopez) September 13, 2021
That's easy
Pg: Stephen curry
Sg: klay Thompson
Sf: khris Middleton
Pf: giannis antetokounmpo
C: Brooke Lopez pic.twitter.com/QMauKTrIDD
— IsoProductions (@Maybee__1) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/ILoveEmilyVerge/status/1437568317259124736
This team will either win by 20 or lose by 50
pg: Trae Young
sg: Paul George
sf: Kawhi Leonard
pf: John Collins
c: Clint
— Yahoo Zion (@YahooZionm) September 14, 2021
Team 1
Jrue Holiday
Khris Middleton
Ben Simmons
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joel Embiid
Team 2
Stephen Curry
Klay Thompson/Jrue Holiday
Khris Middleton
Draymond Green
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Team 3
Jrue Holiday
Paul George
Khris Middleton
Kawhi Leonard
Giannis Antetokounmpo
— 🧃🌎 (@XiNevett) September 14, 2021
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo
— Bruh (@NicoMD_23) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/berdzerk/status/1437740484504530949
Magic
Jordan
Pippen
Worthy
Jabbar@ronaldkvsu @Djehuty @ShonHood10 @cowboys68
— Ramel Troy Royal (@RAMEL927) September 14, 2021
Steph
Healthy Klay
Kris Middleton
Giannis
Draymond
or
Steph
Klay
Paul George
Kawhi
Green
— Falling (@kyrandarcy) September 13, 2021
I don’t think anything is beating that but this is the closest thing:
PG: Curry
SG: Klay
SF:Middleton
PF: Draymond
C: Giannis
— Pix12_9 (@Pix12_9) September 14, 2021
*Jrue
*PG
*Middleton
*Kawhi
*Giannis
I think this will be the closest
*CP
*Booker
*Middleton
*Giannis
*Ayton
Most complete
*CP
*Booker
*Simmons
*Ayton
*Embidd
Dark horse with those bigs
— Ryzell (@Ryzellxiii) September 14, 2021
You didn’t say current teams so Pg: Dwayne wade (2012 Heat) SG: MJ (‘95-96 Bulls) SF:Lebron (2012 Heat) PF: Dennis Rodman (‘95-96 bulls) C: Chris Bosh (2012 Heat) ain’t nobody gonna beat this team
— Dig Bick (@David73131835) September 14, 2021
Team 1-Jazz & Bucks
Holiday
Mitchell
Middleton
Giannis
Gobert
Team 2-Celtics & Nuggets
Murray
Brown
Porter Jr
Tatum
Jokic
Team 3 Warriors & Sixers
S. Curry
Thompson
Harris
Simmons
Embiid
— Nee (@NeeNeeSr15) September 14, 2021
Tony Parker
Michael Jordan
Scottie Pippen
Tim Duncan
David Robinson
— AburameShinoKung (@SpursTh8) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/BLFactsRule/status/1437663489959600129https://twitter.com/CFC_RMFC/status/1437600790974066694https://twitter.com/48jaybird/status/1437548096213307394
I got one, Steph, Klay, Michael Porter Jr, Draymond, Nikola Jokic Warriors & Nuggets. Or Steph,Jrue, Klay, Draymond & Giannis Warriors & Bucks .
— BlackLove (@RealLifeEnt) September 14, 2021
step 1: replace Russ with Kyrie
step 2: easy money
— 🌸sports tweeter Matthias🌸 (tonesetter) (@sportswaatcher) September 13, 2021
Cp3
Devin Booker
Luka Doncic
Kristaps Porzingis
DeAndre ayton
— 👑Wheelman ♿💀Khaos’Donnaire🌴 (@khaos_rolling) September 13, 2021
So the consensus seems to be including either Golden State Warriors or the Milwaukee Bucks to create a team that might even come closer. After all the Dubs ruled the league for half a decade before injuries ruined their chances to continue dominating.
On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks are the defending champions of the league. The spearhead of the team is none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a sensational player.
Despite those combinations, defeating this team will be a tough task. That is until we don’t account for the teams from previous generations. Since the post never mentioned about the 5-man lineup being obtained from the current teams, it will be the best shot.
Lastly, one surprising point that a few fans pointed to was picking Russell Westbrook over Kyrie Irving. Although Russ is a former MVP, currently an argument can be easily made that Kyrie is better than him.
What are your thoughts? Do you think any 5-man lineup from just two teams can lock horns with this squad? Let us know your views.
