In an appearance on the ‘Cold as Balls’ podcast at Fanatics Fest 2025, Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was asked to pick his NBA all-time starting five. Fans weren’t sure what to expect as his answer to the age-old question, but Victor was confident in his answer and gave out his lineup without hesitation.
“I got Curry, Jordan, LeBron, Timmy, and Shaq,” said Wemby to Kevin Hart.
NBA athletes are known to give pretty wild answers on all-time lists like this, but fans agreed that this is a reasonable five from Victor and shows that he values all the right things in a player.
At point guard, while some might say Magic Johnson holds his place at the top of the position, Stephen Curry has challenged his place among the All-Time greats. As a 4x champion, 2x MVP, and arguably the most impactful NBA superstar ever, Curry’s legacy is undeniable, and it’s fair to say he’s earned some recognition as the best guard in the game. It makes sense why he’d make Victor’s cut as an effective scorer and leader who has fundamentally changed the game.
Shooting guard is perhaps the easiest position to pick. Most fans/players just go with Michael Jordan, and those that don’t will typically select Kobe Bryant. In Wemby’s case, his love and appreciation for Michael are well-known, and he’s referred to him as the GOAT on multiple occasions. The title is fitting given that Michael is a 6x champion, 5x MVP, and 30.1 point per game scorer for his career.
At small forward, Wemby went with the obvious choice: LeBron James. Whether you think he’s the GOAT or not, he’s surely the best at his position, and no all-time starting five would be complete without him. Besides being a versatile and crafty scorer, LeBron’s leadership and playmaking abilities make him irreplaceable, and it’s the secret to why he’s still so effective on the court at 40 years old. It’s no secret that LeBron holds a similar level of respect for Victor.
Next, for power forward, Wembanyama honored his legendary franchise by naming Tim Duncan. The big fundamental was anything but flashy, but his consistency and effectiveness on the floor are what helped make the Spurs a powerful dynasty in the 90s and 2000s. Wemby no doubt wants to follow his example as he sets out to achieve his own greatness with the Spurs.
Finally, at center, Victor chose legendary big man Shaquille O’Neal. As a center himself, this position holds a special place for Victor, and it’s important for him to recognize the qualities that lead to success. As a 4x champion and the most dominant big man in the game, Shaq is a good one to look up to, and his status as a dominant beast in the paint shows us how Victor wants to be remembered.
In time, Wembanyama hopes that he can join the likes of guys like Shaq, LeBron, and Michael Jordan as all-time greats, but the process isn’t quick, and it surely isn’t easy. To even get close to their level, he’ll need to start winning more games, and that starts with the Spurs getting him the kind of help he needs to succeed.
