The 10 Best Big 3’s Of All-Time That We Can Create: No Limits, Mixed Eras

The term “Big 3” hasn’t been around for long in the NBA community. The mainstream use of the term can be traced back to 2007 when the Boston Celtics traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to pair with Paul Pierce. Then it was a source of outrage in 2011 when LeBron James famously said he was taking his talents to South Beach to team up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. The truth is if we look back throughout NBA history, the Big 3’s have existed in every era. 

Jordan, Pippen, Rodman; Magic, Kareem, Worthy; and Bird, McHale, Parish. Heck, even the dominant 1960s Celtics had a starting lineup full of stars.

As basketball fans, we would love to see the beautiful basketball created by 3 of our favorite stars teaming up. It is just natural as a fan of the game to imagine such scenarios. What we have done today is reached across time and brought to you the 10 best Big 3’s we could think of with players from every era. We will break down how each team would flow on the court and each player’s contributions to that team. Champions, MVPs, and outright superstars are in abundance on our list and when all is said and done we will crown our best Big 3 for the Fadeaway fans to debate. Without any further ado, let’s get into it!

10. Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Nikola Jokic

The list starts hot as this Big 3 has it all. The offense will have to run through the back-to-back MVP, Nikola Jokic. There is just no substitute for a center that can spread the floor and knock down jumpers from any distance while simultaneously dominating the paint with his quick feet and court vision. Jokic is also one of the best passing bigs the NBA has ever laid eyes on, able to make the right play on nearly every touch in transition or set offenses. For his career, Jokic is averaging 6.2 APG, so his ability to get his teammates involved and score on his own is an irreplaceable threat.

Garnett will serve as the defensive anchor for this team, having been one of the best 2-way forwards of his time. Garnett and Jokic will control the boards as well, with Garnett having led the league in rebounding 4 times and Jokic easily averaging double-digits. KG’s on-court intensity is also second to none so he and Iverson will be bringing the trash talk to a whole new level as well, perhaps using it to their advantage.

Jokic has plenty of options to pass to here as well, including the man that can set a scoreboard on fire, Allen Iverson. Iverson eclipsed the 25.0 PPG plateau 11 times in his career and the 30.0 PPG plateau 4 times. Who better to run an inside/outside ballgame than an elite ball handler and an elite passer? Iverson can also create his shot with ease, setting up opportunities for both Jokic and Kevin Garnett when he blows by his defender.

9. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Isiah Thomas, Kawhi Leonard

Heart, defense, and a whole lot of scoring. That is what defines the team coming in at our No. 9 spot. At the center of it will be the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kareem’s size and shot-blocking abilities will be critical to this team’s success. He led the league in blocks 4 times while averaging over 3.0 BPG in 7 different seasons. He will get his opportunities on the offensive end to go to work as well and use that patented skyhook he used to dominate with. It should be easy to do with a player as unselfish as Isiah Thomas.

Isaiah Thomas will be the man setting up this offense on every possession. His strengths are at the forefront when he has the ball in his hands so they need to look to make that happen as much as possible. Isiah could flat out pass the ball and set up his teammates for easy buckets. With 2 of the great 2-way players ever, he should rack up the assists by the truckload. Thomas is also where this squad will draw its intensity and spirit from, with his being nearly unmatched as a competitor on the Detroit Pistons’ way to 2 titles. Championship pedigree and heart are those intangibles that are important to any team’s success.

We cannot forget maybe the best 2-way player of the past 20 years, Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi will have the tough task of being the premier perimeter defender here for this team. Something the 2x Defensive Player Of The Year and former steal champ should have no problem with. He can also put the ball in the basket with the ability to get to the hoop and rise above defenders at the rim. His mid-range jump shot is also a thing of beauty when he gets into a rhythm. This team will be tough to beat with 3 former Finals MVPs staring you down.

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dwyane Wade, Karl Malone

The interior presence of this team is downright terrifying. Giannis will be the man every team keys in on, despite the presence of the 3rd greatest shooting guard of all time, Dwyane Wade. The Greek Freak is too much of a force on both ends of the floor to not be the centerpiece of this team. You can trust him to run your offense as a point-forward type superstar while also being the man anchoring the defense on the interior. There is no stopping him from getting to the basket when he’s moving downhill or dropping a dime to a teammate for an open bucket.

Trying to slow down Giannis spells disaster for opponents when it’s D-Wade benefiting with more touches. Make no mistake about it, when you need a clutch play made or late-game bucket, this team will call on Wade. His game was special using his explosiveness and leaping ability to become an excellent defender in his prime years. On the offensive end, he has the ability to post-up bigs and for an easy layup or dunk while also being nearly automatic from anywhere inside the arc. Wade should be able to thrive being a 2nd option next to Giannis but also become the No. 1 when called. After all, he did win championships as both.

Karl Malone is the perfect complimentary piece next to Wade and Giannis. His size and rebounding skills will be the perfect assets for this Big 3. Malone grabbed the most defensive rebounds in history, critical considering all the altered shots that there are bound to be from Giannis’s defense. He could run on a fast break while being the size of an NFL tight end, barreling his way to the hoop for easy points. The pick and pop game with Wade could be an underrated offensive weapon as well. Malone is known for the pick and roll offense he ran with John Stockton in Utah. Malone could knock down a mid to medium-range jumper as a high clip too, making this team a dangerous 3-headed monster.

7. Tim Duncan, Larry Bird, Kyrie Irving

Much like the team at No. 8, this team will be centered around a top-tier power forward. The greatest power forward of all time to be exact. Tim Duncan will control the post on both ends like he always has since the moment he stepped foot in the NBA. Whether as a scorer, rebounder, or shot-blocker, Tim Duncan controlled games from the paint in half-court sets. His size, skill, and IQ are what set him apart from the rest and they won him 5 championships in 19 years. With a big like Duncan controlling the interior, a world of opportunity will open for his perimeter players.

Larry Bird’s compliment to Tim Duncan on the basketball court is too exciting to think about. It bearly makes a diehard fan’s brain burst. Bird would have no issue getting the ball into the hands of Duncan and picking apart defenses by getting to the right spots. He can knock down shots from the perimeter or blow by defenders on a cut for a basket or a chance at making a play for his teammates. He would also help Duncan run the defensive side of things, having been a tenacious and gritty defender himself. The possibilities are endless for a team that runs through Larry Bird and Tim Duncan

Kyrie has an integral part in this team’s success as well. He may be turned to as a team’s primary playmaker because of his generational handles with the rock. Using his dribble to create, Kyrie can knock down perimeter and mid-range jumpers at high efficiency. He joined the elusive 50/40/90 club in 2021. As we have seen many times before with Kyrie’s handles, they let him get by defenders for a crafty finish at the rim or in this case, could set up Bird for his shot and Duncan in the paint. A unique trio here loaded with talent could end up being a fan favorite.

6. Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant

The most modern combination of players on our list comes in at the No. 6 spot. Armed with one of the most lethal scorers to ever pick up a basketball, Kevin Durant will be the focal point of offense here. His ability to score from all 3 levels as efficiently as he does sets him apart as the clear No. 1 guy of these 3. Built with the length of a center and deceptive strength on his drives, he can rise above defenders from every spot. He also has sneaky passing abilities which will be critical when the defense ultimately collapses on him.

Joel Embiid should be the main beneficiary of the defense cheating on Durant. He just became the first center to win the scoring title in over 20 years averaging 30.6 PPG. He can put the ball in the rim in several ways but his most impressive has to be the ability to back down a defender and spin into a short fadeaway jumper. It has been his bread and butter. Just his sheer size is a plus defensively, but it helps that his footwork is the best we’ve seen from a big since Olajuwon.

Ja Morant took a massive leap into near superstardom in 2022, winning the league’s Most Improved Player Award. With Durant and Embiid able to spread the floor and open up the paint, Morant can be called on to take some of the scoring load off the other 2. He led the NBA in points in the paint this past season so you know he will be looking to drive to score or dish to his shooter. Morant has improved his shooting as well, going for 34.4% from 3 this past year. If defenses key in on KD and Embiid, Morant is more than capable of getting his team a W.

5. Stephen Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, Scottie Pippen

Having the greatest shooter of all time is a leg up on the competition in any era. That is exactly what Steph Curry is. The one thing that isn’t talked about enough is how Curry can set up his teammates for opportunities with or without the ball. With the ball, he can create off screens for himself and on a pick and roll with teammates. Without the ball, the attention he draws from his shooting opens up more scoring opportunities for teammates.

With a combination of strength, size, and skill WIlt Chamberlain is a perfect complimentary piece for Curry to work with. The scoring records speak for themselves as Wilt was able to pour in buckets at an exponential rate. Working with Curry in a pick and roll would be a sight to see as WIlt displayed the ability to finish a basket with ease or make the right pass to his teammate such as Curry breaking back to the perimeter for an open 3. Wilt’s dominance inside and Curry’s dominance outside leave for a peculiar 3rd option.

In his prime, Scottie Pippen was guarding your team’s best player while being able to run the offense like a point guard. His offensive skills could leave Curry to do what he does best and get open without the ball. On defense, Scottie is going to disrupt the flow of an offense leading to turnovers and a fast break game that would be electric. These opportunities open up shots for Steph and easy finishes for Wilt or Pippen. This team has everything, making them a challenger for any other team on this list.

4. Magic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki

Dynamic and versatile is the only way to describe the powerhouse Big 3 coming in at No. 4. If anyone knows how to maximize the efforts of the team around him, Magic Johnson is one of them. Standing at 6’9, Magic’s height and superior playmaking skills make him a matchup nightmare for opposing guards. Even though Magic likes to run, he can still control the pace of a game in half-court sets, which is what this team may have to focus on. Magic can back down guards on the perimeter and bigs in the paint, opening up unique opportunities for Dirk and Hakeem.

Hakeem Olajuwon would thrive in a system run by a point guard like Magic Johnson. Hakeem’s incredible footwork and post moves in the paint would be maximized by Magic’s playmaking. “The Dream Shake” would be on full display with Hakeem’s ability to knock down turn-around jumpers as well. He would also serve as the team’s primary interior defender. Olajuwon averaged 3.1 BPG for his career, so teams would have to adjust and find other ways to score.

Dirk’s position on this squad is simple. Knock down your shots when the opportunity is presented. WIth defenses mainly focusing on the Johnson-Olajuwon duo, there should be plenty of perimeter opportunities for Nowitzki. Don’t get me wrong, Dirk can create for himself too, especially with his unguardable turnaround fadeaway, but defenses will be clogging the paint trying to slow down Hakeem. Open opportunities will lead to easy threes or fakes that lead to a dribble and drive, something Dirk did well and often.

3. Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Charles Barkley

With 7 MVPs between these 3 players, this lineup poses several issues for opposing teams. We have seen Kobe Bryant win championships with a dominant big man like Shaq and a playmaking big man like Pau Gasol. With Barkley and Russell, he has one of each. Kobe Bryant will control the offense with his point guard-like handles and innate ability to score. Opportunities will not be high near the basket so he will need to rely on his jump shot, which at times is unstoppable. We can’t forget the defensive effort either with his 12 All-Defensive Team Selections, the most by any guard in history.

Bill Russell provides an interior presence any lineup could win a championship with, evidenced by the 11 he won as a player. The pressure will be off of Russell on the offensive end with Barkley and Kobe shouldering the load. This leaves Bill to focus on his best attributes as a versatile defender and dominant rebounder. Russell could take on an opposing team’s guard on the perimeter and still be able to shut down bigs in the paint. Russell averaged 22.5 RPG for his career and led the league in that category 4 times.

Opposing teams may not grab a single rebound when we pair Bill Russell alongside “The Round Mound Of Rebound”. For his career, Barkley’s averages were 22.1 PPG and 11.7 RPG. It wasn’t uncommon to see the slightly undersized power forward grab a rebound and charge down the court for a big play. He adds another offensive weapon alongside Kobe to take on the scoring duties as well, having averaged 20.0 PPG or more for 11 straight years from 1986 through 1996. This team should cause fits for any other Big 3 we have listed.

2. LeBron James, Chris Paul, David Robinson

Over the years we have seen LeBron James do it all on the basketball court. He’s been a team’s primary defender, playmaker, and scorer. With the team we have built here, a lot of that pressure will be relieved. James can focus his efforts primarily on scoring and taking over on offense, which we all know he can do. Whether barreling down the lane for a score he creates or being set up by his stellar point guard, all LeBron needs to worry about with this team is getting buckets.

Playmaking duties will fall on the shoulders of the man who currently ranks 3rd all-time in assists, Chris Paul. CP3’s ability to get to his spots and pick apart defenses with his passing and elevate the game of his bigs has been a thing of beauty for nearly 2 decades. He can equally pick apart opponents by finding a rhythm shooting the ball from 15 feet and beyond as well. The fast break will be dangerous as well with Robinson and LeBron benefiting heavily from Paul pushing the pace.

David Robinson’s two-way play will be on full display in this lineup. Robinson will have to use his great post mobility and touch around the basket to take control of the paint as he has done so many times before. He was equally as dominant defensively adding one final element to this undoubtedly complete team. Don’t underestimate Robinson’s ability to take a few steps out and knock down short jumpers either because the opportunities will be there.

1. Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson

The greatest player of all-time, the most dominant player of all-time, and a top 5 point guard of all-time in the same lineup? Good luck to opposing teams. Michael Jordan will take the reigns of this lineup as everyone should expect. With his 10 scoring titles and incredible 30.1 PPG average for his career, MJ will look to dominate scoring the ball. The paint will be clogged with defenses collapsin on Shaq, but that never bothered MJ before. With a playmaker like The Big O at point guard, opportunities will open up at all angles. With 9 All-Defensive Team selections and a Defensive Player Of The Year award, MJ’s impact will be on more than just the offensive side of the ball.

Defenses are going to be spinning trying to pic their poison between Jordan and the most dominant center ever, Shaquille O’Neal. Things will look bleak when teams realize they can’t double Jordan without leaving too much room for Shaq to go to work and vice versa. Prime Shaq was in another world with the way he controlled a game from within 5 feet of the hoop. Shaq won 2 scoring titles and led the league in FG% 10 times. In his 12 seasons with Orlando and LA (his prime), O’Neal averaged at least 27.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 2.5 BPG, with 3 championships and 5 Finals appearances. A 1-2 punch of O’Neal and Michael Jordan might just be the greatest duo of all time.

Remember, this is a trio with one of the best to ever do it from the point guard position, Oscar Robertson. Oscar plays perhaps the most important role on this team. With most of the focus on Shaq and Jordan, Oscar will need to set up the offense in a way that frees at least one of them up on each possession. It shouldn’t be a problem for the man who led the league in assists 7 times. However, the most underrated part of Robertson’s game is his scoring ability. Robertson averaged 30.0 PPG or more 6 different times in his career and 25.7 PPG for its entirety. This gives our No. 1 lineup a true 3-headed monster and the clear favorite on our list.

Which Team Reigns Supreme?

Above we have listed and broken down some of the best Big 3 combinations our minds could muster up. We combined players whose skill sets complement each other well enough for each one to be a true, complete championship contender. The teams we have created are filled with legends, champions, and the greatest players our game has ever seen. Which ones stand out above the rest? If you could only pick 3 of these teams for your top 3, what would that look like?

Above all the rest stands the team we chose at No. 1, MJ, Shaq, and The Big O. It is simply too much for any opponent to stop. Having MJ and Shaq alone is as dominant as it gets but adding Oscar puts it over the top and into my No. 1 spot. At No. 2, you can never count out a team led by LeBron. Adding players the caliber of CP3 and Robinson to take the pressure off of LeBron makes it too scary of a lineup to rank any lower. At No. 3, I’m taking the team of Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and Kyrie Irving. I know it is a sleeper pick, but that is what makes NBA debates the best conversations in the world. Bird and Duncan together is a matchup nightmare, adding Kyrie is just the icing on the cake.

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