Gary Payton has made his pick for the ultimate starting five from his former teammates, and there was no room for Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade. Speaking on the Knuckleheads podcast, the Hall of Famer and former NBA champion constructed his dream lineup, which featured some of the greatest players he played alongside.
“Imm’a put Kobe at the two, Shawm at the three, Karl Malone at the four and Shaq at the five… I had D Wade, but I can’t put D Wade over Kobe. I can’t do that.”
“You got to understand Shawn was a beast, he was a beast. Karl Malone was a beast in his prime and then I cannot not do Shaq. You know I can’t do that.”
His choices included Kobe Bryant at shooting guard, Shawn Kemp at small forward, Karl Malone at power forward, and Shaquille O’Neal at center—leaving Wade on the outside looking in.
Payton made it clear that while he respects Wade’s greatness, he simply could not justify putting him ahead of Bryant. Given his history with both players, his choice is not entirely surprising.
Payton played with Wade during the Miami Heat’s 2006 championship run, where Wade put together one of the most dominant Finals performances in history. Despite this, Payton ultimately sided with Bryant, with whom he shared a season on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003-04.
Bryant’s inclusion over Wade speaks to Payton’s deep admiration for the Lakers legend. With five championships, two Finals MVPs, and a relentless work ethic, Bryant is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards of all time. Payton witnessed firsthand how Kobe operated, and in his mind, that was enough to give him the edge over Wade, despite Wade’s legendary status in Miami.
At small forward, Payton chose his former Seattle SuperSonics running mate, Shawn Kemp. The duo formed one of the most electrifying partnerships in NBA history, leading the Sonics to the 1996 NBA Finals.
Kemp was an athletic freak who could dominate inside while also defending at a high level. Payton’s loyalty to his longtime teammate is evident, as he describes Kemp as an absolute “beast” and someone who deserves a spot on this squad.
For the power forward position, Payton went with Karl Malone, one of the most prolific scorers and rebounders in NBA history. Although they only played together for a single season on the 2003-04 Lakers, Payton recognized Malone’s greatness, particularly in his prime with the Utah Jazz.
As a two-time MVP and the second-all-time leading scorer in NBA history at the time of his retirement, Malone’s resume speaks for itself.
Finally, at center, Payton’s pick was a no-brainer—Shaquille O’Neal. Having played alongside Shaq in both Los Angeles and Miami, Payton knew just how dominant the big man was. O’Neal’s presence in the paint made him one of the most unstoppable forces in NBA history, winning four championships and three Finals MVPs.
His ability to control the game with size, strength, and skill made him an easy choice for Payton’s squad.
Payton’s selections highlight both loyalty and respect for the legends he played with. While Wade’s exclusion may surprise some fans, it is clear that Payton prioritized the impact, dominance, and personal connections he had with his teammates. This all-time starting five is built with championship pedigree, star power, and a deep understanding of the game.
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