There are a million ways to build an all-time NBA starting five. But what happens when the argument isn’t about talent at all?
What happens when one team is built around loyalty, while the other is built around superstars who proved they could move around the league and dominate wherever they landed?
That’s the premise here.
On one side: Stephen Curry at the point, Kobe Bryant at the two, Larry Bird occupies the wing, Dirk Nowitzki at power forward, and Tim Duncan at center.
Five players whose careers became deeply connected to one organization.
On the other: Chris Paul is the floor general, James Harden plays alongside him, LeBron James at his usual position, Kevin Durant at small-ball power forward, and Shaquille O’Neal dominating inside.
This is the mercenary team because each ultimately demonstrated a willingness to change environments, and if we’re being honest, this is an absolutely ridiculous matchup.
So let’s break it down position by position before playing out all seven games.
Team Loyalty: Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan
Team Mercenary: Chris Paul, James Harden, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal
Point Guard: Stephen Curry vs. Chris Paul
This might be the most fascinating matchup because the two players couldn’t be more different.
Curry’s career averages of 24.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds barely explain his impact. He’s the greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history (42.2%), a four-time champion and the first unanimous MVP in league history.
Paul is the counter in terms of being a better floor general. He averaged 16.8 points and 9.2 assists for his career, led the league in assists four times and steals six times, and built an entire Hall of Fame resume around controlling the tempo of games.
But this matchup comes down to one thing. Can Paul chase Curry through screens for seven games?
That’s a nightmare. Curry doesn’t need the ball to destroy you. Paul has to defend an offensive system rather than simply an individual player.
Advantage: Team Loyalty
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs. James Harden
This is where things get nasty. Kobe averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over his career, won five championships, and made 18 All-Star teams.
Harden averaged 24.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, won an MVP, and became one of the most prolific isolation scorers and foul-drawers in NBA history. Harden’s offensive efficiency and playmaking are a problem.
But Kobe has the defensive advantage, the midrange counter and the mentality to make every possession personal. Harden can force switches and attack weaker defenders.
Kobe is going to make him work at the other end, and this could easily become the highest-scoring individual matchup of the series.
Advantage: Team Loyalty
Small Forward: Larry Bird vs. LeBron James
Good luck picking a winner. Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, won three MVP awards and three championships.
LeBron has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists over his career while winning four championships and four MVP awards.
Bird is the better pure shooter, but LeBron is the better athlete. Bird is arguably the better off-ball player, but LeBron is the more devastating transition force.
And both are among the greatest passers ever at their position, so this matchup will come down to what each team wants.
If the game becomes half-court chess, Bird’s shooting and decision-making become devastating. If LeBron gets downhill, Bird simply doesn’t have the physical tools to stop him.
We think the latter has more of a chance of happening and Team Mercenary takes the edge.
Advantage: Team Mercenary
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Kevin Durant
This might be the prettiest matchup. Dirk averaged 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career and changed the way basketball thought about seven-footers shooting jumpers.
Durant has averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, while shooting 50.3% from the field and 39.2% from three.
Durant has the athletic advantage and more defensive versatility. Dirk has something different: the one-legged fadeaway that became practically impossible to defend.
But over a seven-game series, Durant’s ability to defend multiple positions gives him the edge.
Advantage: Team Mercenary
Center: Tim Duncan vs. Shaquille O’Neal
Now we’re talking about the matchup that could decide the entire series.
Duncan was a five-time champion, two-time MVP, and three-time Finals MVP who averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks. Shaq averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, won four championships and three Finals MVPs.
Duncan is the better defender, but Shaq is the better physical force.
The question isn’t whether Duncan can score. It’s whether he can stop Shaq from turning every possession into a layup, dunk, or free throw.
We don’t see that happening enough to give his side the advantage. As in the case of most situations, Shaq gets the advantage.
Advantage: Team Mercenary
Team Loyalty Advantages
For one, Team Loyalty has better shooting. Curry, Bird, and Dirk create an absurd amount of spacing. Duncan can operate from the elbows, while Kobe can punish single coverage.
Off-ball movement is where the mercenary team could have serious problems. Curry running around screens while Bird and Dirk space the floor is a nightmare to handle. Team Mercenary doesn’t have that luxury.
Not to mention, defensively, Kobe and Duncan give Team Loyalty two legitimate defensive anchors. Bird and Dirk aren’t elite stoppers, but the lineup can build a coherent defensive system around Duncan.
When it comes to pure chemistry, these five players aren’t necessarily natural teammates, but their games fit together remarkably well.
Curry doesn’t need the ball constantly because Kobe can create late, Bird can facilitate, Dirk spaces the floor, and Duncan anchors everything.
Team Loyalty has the advantage of beautiful basketball when it comes to two-way impact.
Team Mercenary Advantages
The obvious advantage for Team Mercenary is athleticism. It’s not close.
LeBron, Durant, and Shaq give this team an overwhelming physical advantage. LeBron and Shaq attacking the basket simultaneously would put Duncan in an impossible position.
And when the offense breaks down, Team Mercenary has an answer because Harden, LeBron, and Durant can isolate. Of course, Shaq can post and make the difference down low.
Essentially, a lineup featuring Paul, Harden, LeBron, Durant, and Shaq is enormous compared to most five-man units. That might yield a higher number of free throws.
Shaq and LeBron attacking the rim while Harden hunts fouls could create a massive free-throw advantage that could slow the game down in their favor.
Who Wins A Best-Of-7 Series?
In Game 1, Curry immediately changes the flow of the series. He scores 34 points on 11-20 shooting, including 7-13 from three, while Bird adds 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Duncan doesn’t dominate offensively, but he keeps Shaq from completely taking over with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Shaq still produces 31 points and 15 rebounds, while LeBron records 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.
But Team Mercenary struggles to defend Curry’s movement, and the warning shot has been fired.
Shaq decides he has seen enough in Game 2. He scores 38 points on 15-22 shooting, adding 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. LeBron posts a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Harden adds 29 points and 10 assists.
Duncan gets into foul trouble trying to defend Shaq and plays only 31 minutes. Kobe scores 29, but Team Loyalty simply can’t keep up with the physicality.
Series tied in Game 2. Luckily for Team Loyalty, Kobe takes over in Game 3.
The Black Mamba scores 41 points, shooting 16-29 from the field and adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. But the real difference is Dirk. He scores 27 points, hitting 5-9 from three and repeatedly dragging Shaq into uncomfortable defensive territory.
Curry adds 26 points and 11 assists. Durant scores 35 for Team Mercenary, but Kobe’s shot-making late decides it.
LeBron reminds everybody why this isn’t a normal all-time matchup in Game 4. He records 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, relentlessly attacking the basket and forcing Team Loyalty into rotations.
Durant adds 30 points, while Paul contributes 17 points and 14 assists. Curry has 31, but Harden makes life miserable defensively by forcing him into repeated actions.
The series heads back to neutral ground tied, and suddenly, it feels like anybody’s series.
Game 5 is the Larry Bird game. Bird delivers one of those performances that makes you remember why he was so terrifying. He drops 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
He shoots 6-10 from three and spends the fourth quarter picking apart every defensive rotation.
Curry adds 30 points and 12 assists. Dirk contributes 25 points, while Duncan posts 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Shaq gets his numbers, 34 points and 14 rebounds, but the spacing becomes too much. Team Loyalty is one win away.
This one belongs to Kevin Durant. KD goes nuclear for 43 points, shooting 16-25 from the field and 5-9 from three. LeBron adds 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Shaq contributes 28 points and 16 rebounds. Team Loyalty gets 35 from Kobe and 28 from Curry, but there’s simply too much size and scoring to overcome.
We’re going seven.
The final game becomes an all-time classic, and is that a surprise?
Curry doesn’t have his biggest scoring night, as he drops 31 points, 13 assists, and 6 rebounds. He shoots 6-12 from three, but the real damage comes from what his movement does to the defense.
Kobe scores 29 points, Bird adds 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Dirk hits four enormous threes on his way to 24 points. But Duncan delivers the defining performance with 22 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks.
He spends the final minutes battling Shaq possession after possession. Shaq finishes with 35 points and 17 rebounds. LeBron has 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Durant scores 31. Harden adds 24. Paul finishes with 14 points and 15 assists. And somehow, it’s still not enough.
With 1:12 remaining, Curry hits a three over a switch to put Team Loyalty ahead 116-114. LeBron answers with a driving finish.
Bird finds Dirk for a three, before Shaq scores inside. Then Kobe hits the dagger.
A fadeaway from the elbow over Harden with 18 seconds remaining, and that’s the ballgame.
For his clutch performance in Game 7, Kobe edges out Curry to earn Finals MVP honors.
Result: Team Loyalty vs. Team Mercenary 4-3
Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant
