Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Isiah Thomas Reacts To Kevin Garnett’s All-Time Starting Lineup: “Awful”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Media > Isiah Thomas Reacts To Kevin Garnett’s All-Time Starting Lineup: “Awful”

Isiah Thomas Reacts To Kevin Garnett’s All-Time Starting Lineup: “Awful”

Isiah Thomas called Kevin Garnett's controversial all-time lineup "awful," sparking intense debates over the exclusion of icons like Jordan and LeBron.

Vishwesha Kumar
Dec 30, 2024
8 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

Isiah Thomas, the Detroit Pistons legend, did not hold back in critiquing Kevin Garnett’s controversial all-time starting lineup. Reacting to Garnett’s picks, Thomas took to social media to share his blunt assessment: “Kevin Garnett’s all-time lineup is awful.”

Isiah Thomas Reacts On Kevin Garnett's All-Time Starting Lineup: "Awful"

His statement echoed the sentiments of many fans, who found Garnett’s choices both surprising and debatable.

Appearing on the MILLION DOLLAZ WORTH OF GAME podcast, Kevin Garnett unveiled his hypothetical all-time starting five, which immediately sparked debates. 

“Damn, my starting five? Magic at one, just because he’s 6’9″, he can see everybody.”

“Now I got to go MJ. Matter of fact, I’m going to put Kobe on my two. Kobe going to be my two. I got Kobe at my two. I know you’re gonna say MJ, I’m supposed to that shot the MJ cuz he the guard and we copied him and s**t, but I got Kobe at my two.” 

“I really want to put AI in here somewhere, but I got all the team cuz I’m gonna switch everything. You know I’m saying, I’m put KD at my three, KD’s he’s like a real fade. You know I’m saying and then I’m going with Wilt. I’m playing the four.” 

“Threes, fours, and fives, switching everything. That’s how I’m coming.” 

“My backup point guard going to be Pete Maravich. All right, then I’m going to go A.I. coming off the bench, because he’s buckets all day. All right? Big Dog at the three. Sheed at four. Then I’m going Shaq at five. Coming off the bench. And then if I need two more to come off, I’m gonna go get VC because he was a bucket in Georgia.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:DD76at3yIML

His lineup included Magic Johnson as the point guard, Kobe Bryant as the shooting guard, Kevin Durant as small forward, Garnett himself as power forward, and Wilt Chamberlain anchoring the center position.

This decision alone raised eyebrows, as leaving out Jordan—the widely regarded GOAT—seemed almost sacrilegious to basketball purists.

To round out his bench, Garnett picked Pete Maravich as his backup point guard, Allen Iverson as the sixth man, and Shaquille O’Neal as the backup center. He also included Rasheed Wallace at the four, Vince Carter as a scoring option, and Michael Jordan at the three. While Thomas didn’t elaborate further, his reaction underscored the general disbelief surrounding Garnett’s picks.

Leaving out Michael Jordan from the starting lineup, as well as omitting LeBron James—one of the greatest and most versatile players of all time—drew significant backlash. Fans also questioned Garnett’s selection of Pete Maravich as a backup over other legendary point guards like John Stockton or Oscar Robertson. The inclusion of Rasheed Wallace and Glenn Robinson was equally perplexing, given the depth of talent available for an all-time roster.

Garnett’s lineup does include some undeniable legends. Magic Johnson is often considered the greatest point guard in history, while Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as the best shooting guard after Jordan. Kevin Durant is a generational scorer, and Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance in his era speaks for itself. Garnett’s decision to include himself highlights his confidence in his own abilities as one of the premier forwards in NBA history.

However, his lineup also features some glaring omissions. Michael Jordan’s exclusion is the most shocking, given his six championships, five MVPs, and status as the NBA’s all-time playoff scorer. LeBron James, another clear candidate for an all-time lineup, was also left out despite his unparalleled versatility and longevity. Fans also questioned the bench picks, particularly the inclusion of Maravich and Carter over players like Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, or Larry Bird.

Garnett’s choices reflect personal preferences and a desire to craft a lineup built on his own experiences and biases. By including players like Kobe and Durant, he emphasized scoring versatility and athleticism. His choice to play himself at power forward also speaks to his belief in his own defensive and offensive capabilities.

Thomas’s sharp critique, however, reminds us of the subjective nature of such hypothetical lists. Everyone has their own criteria for greatness, but the exclusion of players like Jordan and LeBron naturally invites criticism, given their undeniable impact on the game.

Kevin Garnett’s all-time lineup may be polarizing, but it has succeeded in sparking debate about basketball greatness. Isiah Thomas’s blunt dismissal of the lineup as “awful” reflects the passionate discussions that all-time rankings often ignite. While Garnett’s choices might not align with popular opinion, his perspective adds another layer to the endless conversation about who deserves a spot among the NBA’s all-time elite.


Isiah Thomas Selected His All-Time Lineup In 2018

In an April 2020 interview with Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas named his all-time lineup, comprising Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Julius Erving. Known for his fierce competitive nature and pivotal role in the “Bad Boys” era, Thomas’s selections sparked both admiration and controversy among fans and analysts alike.

Thomas, a two-time NBA champion and one of the best point guards in league history, faced off against several all-time greats during his illustrious career. His acknowledgment of Michael Jordan on the list, despite their heated rivalry, garnered some praise. However, Thomas controversially ranked Jordan at #4, behind Bird, Magic, and Abdul-Jabbar, which many viewed as a slight toward the six-time NBA champion and widely recognized GOAT.

Fadeaway World added an interesting twist to the conversation by hypothetically pitting Thomas’s all-time team against another star-studded lineup. The debate underscored the subjective nature of such rankings and highlighted the depth of talent Thomas faced in his prime. 

While Thomas’s choices reflected his personal experiences and era, his lineup reignited conversations about the legacy and impact of the NBA’s greatest players across generations.

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. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Isiah ThomasKevin Garnett
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Patrick Beverley Takes A Shot At Lakers Fans For Being Toxic Toward Their Own Players
Next Article Jeff Teague Says A’Ja Wilson Can’t Beat Any NBA, G-League Or College Player
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

LaVar Ball Claims He Can Still Beat Michael Jordan Even Without His Right Foot: "I Took It Off So It Would Be Even"
NBA News & Media

LaVar Ball Claims He Can Still Beat Michael Jordan Even Without His Right Foot: “I Took It Off So It Would Be Even”

October 2, 2025
Cathy Engelbert talks to the media before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
NBA News & Media

Stephen A. Smith Demands WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s Resignation After ‘Weak A** Statement’ To Napheesa Collier

October 2, 2025
Wendell Carter Jr. Boldly Claims He And Angel Reese Would Beat Bam Adebayo And A’ja Wilson 11-0 In 2v2
NBA News & Media

Wendell Carter Jr. Boldly Claims He And Angel Reese Would Beat Bam Adebayo And A’ja Wilson 11-0 In 2v2

October 1, 2025
Bucks guard Patrick Beverley dribbles against the Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena
NBA News & Media

Gilbert Arenas: If Patrick Beverley Got Drunk Before A Crucial Game, It Would Not Affect The Team’s Performance

September 30, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?