The talent level in the NBA right now is probably at the highest it has ever been in the history of the game. The players are more skilled and athletic than ever before, and that combined with the influx of international stars has left us spoilt in terms of the quality of players that we get to see night in, night out in the league today.
Jalen Rose, who revealed his star-studded all-time NBA starting 5 during an appearance on the “Courtside Club” podcast with Rachel DeMita, was also asked to name his best starting 5 in the NBA right now during that episode and he went with an incredible group of players.
(starts at 42:18 mark):
“Steph Curry and Luka (Doncic) are my backcourt. I love Luka, Luka gonna win MVP this year… Upfront the King, LeBron James, (then) easy money sniper, Kevin Durant, and Giannis (Antetokounmpo). I wanted to take (Joel) Embiid, I wanted to take the Joker (Nikola Jokic) but got to give the edge to Giannis.”
Good luck beating that starting 5! It has got everything you need except an elite rim protector, but the sheer talent on display more than makes up for that. Rose was particularly hyped about Luka Doncic, who is his pick to win MVP this upcoming season.
Luka has generated buzz as one of the leading contenders for MVP in the last couple of years or so, but he hasn’t won the award for one reason or another. He started slowly last season as his conditioning was an issue and it seems Doncic has been taking care of his body this time around to make sure it doesn’t happen again. He and Giannis are among the betting favorites for MVP and it wouldn’t be a surprise if either of them takes home the award. Reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic will have a say on the matter too and he engaged in an epic duel with Antetokounmpo at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers recently. All of these guys are primed to have outstanding campaigns in 2022-23 and we can’t wait to see them back in action on an NBA court.
