This Fadeaway World Team Would Beat Stephen Curry’s All-Time Team In The Greatest NBA Finals Ever

Just days ago, Stephen Curry set the internet and NBA community ablaze when he selected his all-time starting lineup. The response was mixed, with many crediting Curry for the homage he paid to NBA history. There was also a fair share of criticism. Curry notably made two omissions that people could not fathom and sent the basketball world as we know it into a frenzy.

Those two omissions included himself, the greatest shooter in NBA history and four-time NBA champion. The other omission has been Curry’s greatest rival for the better part of a decade now and one of the greatest players in NBA history, LeBron James. Curry’s team already included Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and today, Curry’s omissions have given us the path to defeating his “unstoppable” lineup.

What we will do with Curry’s lineup is pit it against the greatest possible lineup that we could create. This Fadeaway World lineup, we believe, is the only one legendary enough and good enough at the game of basketball to be able to share the court with Curry’s lineup. These two teams coming together would break every NBA Finals viewership known to man if it were reality instead of fantasy, so let’s meet the lineups who would shut down the game as we know it.

Fadeaway World’s All-Time Team: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Stephen Curry’s All-Time Team: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal

The teams are set. The tension is high. There are 10 legends ready to do battle in the greatest NBA Finals ever created. Let’s get into it.

Stephen Curry vs. Magic Johnson

You read that right. We are using Stephen Curry against Stephen Curry in our first matchup of legendary NBA point guards. Curry will go against his own selection of Magic Johnson in a point guard matchup we have seen time and time again over the last few years as a part of our various fantasy matchups.

This matchup is a battle of the two greatest point guards in NBA history with two completely different playstyles and two completely different ways to attack. Curry, like Magic, is one of the NBA’s greatest open-court threats due to his own movement and shooting, but also due to the fact that he makes every one of his teammates’ jobs a little easier with the attention he draws. Opening up the defense and spreading the floor will be key in this matchup of our team against Team Curry.

As for Magic, the first glaring advantage he has in the matchup is his size. Curry isn’t the greatest defender either, but Magic’s ability to work from the post will certainly draw some defensive attention as well. Johnson will also look to get the ball into the open court as often as possible, pushing the pace and picking apart defenses as he normally did. With the pieces they will each have around them, this battle could ultimately decide the entire series if each player can maximize their strengths throughout.

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan

This is the matchup that any NBA fan in any capacity would stop what they were doing to tune into. Any matchup between LeBron James and Michael Jordan would rewrite history when it comes to everything we know about the NBA, especially if the circumstances were the same as they are in this entire matchup.

LeBron James can serve a critical role for his team in a variety of ways. He can be the aggressive downhill scorer if others are struggling. He can be the facilitator that runs the offense and distributes the ball to his scorers or shooters. He can also be the tone-setting defender and disruptor if that is what maximizes his chances of success. His biggest challenge lies ahead with the physicality and strength of Jordan, though, and will be LeBron’s biggest test to date.

That’s because there is no ordinary man standing across from him this time. No, this time, it will be the relentless force that is Michael Jordan and his various ways to will himself and his team to victory. Jordan’s presence on the defensive end will be a deterrent to James’ preferred downhill approach, as will the presence of both Tim Duncan and Shaq in the post. Turning LeBron into a perimeter player favors Jordan heavily. Offensively, Jordan will wear James down with his agility, stamina, and creativity as a scorer. You can talk all you want about the size advantage James has, but Jordan will always find a way.

Larry Bird vs. Kobe Bryant

Originally, Stephen Curry included Larry Bird in his starting lineup until he went back and switched him for Kobe Bryant before finishing the rest. Once again, we take a miss on his part and insert him into our lineup that will defeat them in the NBA Finals.

Once again, this is a matchup of two completely different playstyles that will be executed with maximum effectiveness. Bird’s game is obviously much slower but perhaps even more physical than Bryant’s, although Kobe never shied away from a physical matchup either. Bird is another player who will be able to spread the floor for Team Fadeaway World, giving James another teammate to utilize on the outside. Bird will also be valuable as a playmaker, benefitting from the attention both Curry and James will already be drawing.

We all know Kobe will be Kobe. As one of the game’s greatest tough-shot makers, Bryant will have no problems slicing up defenses and knocking down tough shots over the bigger Bird. Bryant’s perimeter defense will be under a microscope as well. Two things can happen. Bryant’s defense could be exposed as overrated if he picks him apart, or Bird’s offense can be the same if Bryant is able to shut him down. The beautiful thing is that they are both equally possible.

Kevin Durant vs. Tim Duncan

This will be a big advantage for Team Curry, in my eyes. This isn’t anything against Kevin Durant because a scorer as efficient and methodical as he is will always find an avenue to 25-30-point nights regularly. Durant is talented and creative enough to get around any defender in NBA history, and I truly mean that. How consistently he is able to find success will be key in any matchup with Tim Duncan.

Which brings me to why I give Team Curry the edge in this matchup. Tim Duncan is far more likely to succeed as a defender stepping out on Durant or guarding him further out from the basket than Durant is having to take Duncan in the post. Duncan showed on numerous occasions that he could make a defensive impact on bigger wing scorers. I have yet to see a big as talented as Duncan be thwarted by Durant’s defensive efforts. Just my opinion, though.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Shaquille O’Neal

Although we watched Kareem and Shaq clear the air about their “beef” on national television in 2023, they finally get to settle things on the court in our final heavyweight matchup of this series. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar brings the greatest resume for any big man in NBA history to the table as both a scorer and defender in his prime. Kareem will be armed with the deadliest signature move in NBA history, the Skyhook, a move that O’Neal couldn’t dream of slowing down.

Kareem’s height and fluid motion will be an issue for Shaq, as will his defensive instincts in the paint. However, I do think O’Neal has the advantage. With his width and brute strength, he will be able to use to move Kareem on some possessions. O’Neal could also run the floor and finish fast breaks with the best of them, so keeping a steady pace considering who his teammates are will be vital to success. This is anyone’s matchup but Kareem does hold a slight advantage as far as two-way play goes.

Team Fadeaway World Advantages

With a matchup that features 10 of the greatest players in NBA history, each team is bound to have a few advantages over their opponent. For Team Fadeaway World, the first one is as obvious as it gets. I am speaking, of course, about their outside shooting. Team Fadeaway World’s lineup features the greatest three-point shooter ever, a top-five overall shooter ever, and one of the best mid-range scorers in NBA history. Stephen Curry, Larry Bird, and Kevin Durant make Team Fadeaway World nearly impossible to figure out which way they will attack, but the shots will fly, and they will just as surely fall.

Another glaring advantage for Team Fadeaway World will be the presence of LeBron James. What LeBron brings to a lineup is something that no player on Team Curry, not even Michael Jordan, has in their arsenal. It is the ability to elevate the play of all four teammates simultaneously on the court. James can pass and make plays like Magic, score at will like Jordan, and play defense well enough to be disruptive and effective. Having a weapon like that running the offense around talent as loaded as Team Fadeaway World could be what ultimately wins the series in the end.

Team Curry Advantages

Anybody with two eyes and even the simplest knowledge of basketball could see the advantages for Team Curry in this matchup. The first one that needs to be addressed is the size advantage in the frontcourt. As skilled as Kareem and Durant both are, the combination of Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal will be a hard one to slow down in the post. Kareem will only be able to do so much on his own, as when matched up against these two giants, Durant will be put in an unfavorable spot. Duncan and O’Neal should be able to get whatever they want in regard to their offensive game in the post.

The other glaring advantage is the presence of two of the top three scorers in NBA history on one side. What makes matters worse is that these two players are spitting images of each other, and overcoming their desire to win is next to impossible. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant won a combined 11 NBA championships in their careers, displaying exactly what it takes to be successful in the NBA. These two will be the focal point of the offense and the lead perimeter disruptions on defense. They will stop at nothing to bring home another championship, and their obsession with it may be what takes Team Curry over the top.

Who Would Win This Matchup In A 7-Game Series?

Before these two teams even step out on the court, tension fills the air as even the volume of the crowd can’t drown out how serious these legends are taking this series. This became evident in Game 1 as Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant went nose-to-nose early in the contest setting the tone for a wild matchup. It would be Stephen Curry who rose to the occasion for Team Fadeaway World with a shooting display for the ages. Curry would finish with 43 points on 11-16 from deep, and Team Fadeaway World takes a surprising 1-0 series lead.

After falling down 1-0, the duo of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan would not let a 2-0 deficit become a possibility. Both were equally frightening on the defensive end of the ball, forcing turnovers at an alarming rate. On the offensive end, neither could be stopped as Jordan finished with 38 and Bryant finished with 32 points. Team Curry responds to Team Fadeaway World in blowout fashion, 120-101, to tie the series at one game apiece.

Game 3 would be pivotal, with each team looking to gain an upper hand in what was sure to be a long and drawn-out battle. This game would belong to LeBron James and Tim Duncan, who traded possessions in which they turned the tide for their squads. Duncan struck first with a few defensive plays that led to easy baskets, while James responded by finding Curry on a few open shots and finishing at the rim for himself. Behind James’ 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, Team Fadeaway World would take a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 would feature an early onslaught from Stephen Curry and Larry Bird from the perimeter with their shooting. The duo would help Team Fadeaway World build a sizable lead heading into halftime, but the jubilation and expectation of a 3-1 series lead would soon change. Shaquille O’Neal would be the deciding factor on this night, completely taking Kareem out of his element as a defender and dominating the glass. O’Neal would finish with 40 points and 15 rebounds in Game 4 to bring the series to 2-2 in a big comeback win for Team Curry.

Game 5 would be no different for these two teams, as each fought for a serious 3-2 advantage. Team Fadeaway World would get out to an early lead thanks to Kareem and Curry perfecting the in-and-out offense. Kareem made a few key defensive stops as well, but Team Curry fought back. Michael Jordan went into overdrive on the offensive end and, thanks to Magic, outworked and outpaced Team Fadeaway World. His 51 points and 7 rebounds led Team Curry to another comeback win and a 3-2 series lead.

Now in a must-win situation, it was up to the leaders of Team Fadeaway World to step up. In Game 6, It would be an unlikely hero that would help Team Fadeaway World extend this matchup. Kevin Durant had been relatively quiet up to this point, but that was about to change. In a display of mid-range and perimeter scoring perfection, Durant would unleash a 47-point performance for the ages up there with the greatest Finals games ever played. The 71.0% shooting and 18-18 from the foul line led Team Fadeaway World to force a Game 7 and set up the game that would decide the fate of so many legacies.

In Game 7, each team turned to their heavy hitters to get the job done as expected. Michael Jordan and LeBron James battled all night long, trading baskets, turnovers, and hard fouls along the way. The pair was locked in when it came to sealing the victory for their squad, but one thing rose above it all. LeBron James’ willingness to distribute the ball and be selfless ended up leading to too many easy baskets for Team Fadeaway World despite the offensive onslaught from Jordan and Bryant. Bird and Curry’s timely shooting was the icing on the cake as Team Fadeaway World walked away from the toughest NBA Finals series in history as NBA champions.

Final Result: Fadeaway World’s All-Time Team vs. Stephen Curry’s All-Time Team 4-3

Finals MVP: LeBron James

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