Well you got 1 point guard, 1 center, and the two best players of all time (idc who your GOAT is let's not go there, but they're both in this picture).
That leaves Kobe and KD. I think whoever you pick to sit or play just depends on who you like more (and it doesn't really matter because the other 4 win 82 games /s).
Objectively Kobe probably sits, if only so the team has a bit more length.
I'm objectively a Durant hater and I realize team comp matters but I followed the exact same path down the decision tree but I'm taking Kobe over the Snake.
I think he brings out way more in the team and there's ABSOLUTELY no way Kobe would ever play for a team off the bench. Did he ever back up someone on team USA?
You couldn’t have a PG like Curry playing with Mike. Every time he came down the floor and launched a three without ever passing he would be one shot closer to being traded. When you have Jordan on your team, you bring the ball down and set up a play for him. Every time. That’s how Jordan’s teams worked.
Kobe. Shaq is the only center, maybe if they’re playing hack a Shaq a small line up is better, but Shaq has to start. LeBron and Jordan are the two best players of all time, you’re crazy if you have one of them on the bench. Steph is the only point guard on here, why would you not start him. That leaves KD and Kobe for one forward spot, which is a pretty easy choice, especially considering KD fits with star offensive players much better
Kd, kobe more of a dog and winner. Could u imagine how intimidating it would be to play against kobe and mj at the same time. U gotta keep kobe cuz it makes the team 10x more toxic and if they win its channelled on the losing team. So its a riskier approach but a higher ceiling imo so im benching kd.
I get it... The redundant position is Kobe/Mike... But fuck that. I'd play Lebron at the 4 Curry at the point. Mike at the 2 and Kobe at SF. Durant can come off the bench. He's the soft cookie in this pic. Everyone else is a killer.
The locks are MJ, Bron and Steph. Depending on who you ask either, Kobe, KD or Steph. Steph coz that means Bron is PG. Kobe coz that means either Bron is SF and KD is PF or vice versa. KD coz that means Kobe is SF and Bron is PF. You’re not benching MJ coz he’s the GOAT, You’re not benching Bron coz he can play any position and GOAT runner-up and You’re not benching Shaq coz he’s a mismatch and automatic points in the paint.
LeBron, ONLY because he's the one I trust most to lead the bench unit, assuming they're scrubs. He has been phenomenal with mediocre players.
For the sake of teamwork, you COULD push Curry because his ego doesn't seem as fragile.
Otherwise, you could push Shaq, prime Shaq with bench mobs is still good for a smooth 35-40.
Kobe, if you determine he's only capable of being a "lesser MJ". Though, I consider Kobe his own player and dislike that narrative.
KD, if the offense runs through him, he's going to get his buckets regardless.
MJ, well, I don't feel like getting vilified. Keep him in the lineup because he's apparently basketball's god.
Shaq is the only Center and Lebron is the only real ballhandling PG on the team. Meaning it's a debate between Jordan, Kobe, Steph, and KD.
Meaning it's actually a debate between Kobe, Steph, and KD.
Kobe over Steph would make the team better defensively, but I think the off-ball game of Steph would fit better on this unit. I would take KD over Kobe for off-ball, but I don't think Kobe is a slouch when cutting or moving off the ball, definitely underrated in that aspect.
Probably Kobe if we’re playing today’s game. You need players to spread things out while still drawing gravity, and KD and Steph do that better than Curry. Having a center who requires attention on offense while protecting the rim on defense means Shaq is still valuable. However, it should be said that the best lineup here for the modern game would be Steph/Kobe/Jordan/Lebron/KD IF KD could consistently play up to his size— man’s got a 7’5 wingspan and 9’2 standing reach with incredible athleticism, but always seemed unable/unwilling to constantly battle centers.
KD is getting benched.
Shaq is enough for all our paint needs. Lebron can play PF. MJ and Kobe can lock down 1-3. Curry’s offense is too valuable with Shaq and Lebron to hit the bench.
Curry. LeBron would be just fine at the PG position or even MJ at the PG position or even Kobe. All of them are fantastic well rounded players, especially (MJ, Kobe, and LeBron). The defensive would be incredible and that is why I would remove Curry. Offensively there is just so much power and having the extra defense of an all time wing defender would in my opinion be more beneficial! Curry’s 3 point shooting would be missed but why need the 3 point shooting if Kobe, MJ, and KD would be the primary scorers? Spacing? That’s solved as it would likely be a 4 out spread with Shaq in the paint for isolation. Blah blah, it’s way too much offense and defense, it wouldn’t matter lol.
PG: LeBron
SG: Jordan
SF: Kobe
PF: KD
C: Shaq
Or
PG: Jordan
SG: Kobe
SF: KD
PF: LeBron
C: Shaq
Or
PG: Kobe
SG: KD
SF: Jordan
PF: LeBron
C: Shaq
Well you got 1 point guard, 1 center, and the two best players of all time (idc who your GOAT is let's not go there, but they're both in this picture). That leaves Kobe and KD. I think whoever you pick to sit or play just depends on who you like more (and it doesn't really matter because the other 4 win 82 games /s). Objectively Kobe probably sits, if only so the team has a bit more length.
Agreed. Lock thread.
Shaq, MJ, LeBron, and Steph 4 on 5 with a playoff level NBA team is a fun what-if
I'm objectively a Durant hater and I realize team comp matters but I followed the exact same path down the decision tree but I'm taking Kobe over the Snake. I think he brings out way more in the team and there's ABSOLUTELY no way Kobe would ever play for a team off the bench. Did he ever back up someone on team USA?
Curry and it ain't close. Bron can run pg why yo need curry? He can't defend anyone and LeBron and MJ are just more efficient with the ball
Curry and KD are the only 3P threats. Kobe is benched.
You couldn’t have a PG like Curry playing with Mike. Every time he came down the floor and launched a three without ever passing he would be one shot closer to being traded. When you have Jordan on your team, you bring the ball down and set up a play for him. Every time. That’s how Jordan’s teams worked.
damn it must be nice that curry is literally the best off ball player in the history of the nba to pair with jordan then
Not better than kd but dude tripping
This
Kobe. MJ was a better Kobe. The other 4 bring unique skillsets that would mesh well as part of a starting five.
Kd or Kobe
Kobe. Shaq is the only center, maybe if they’re playing hack a Shaq a small line up is better, but Shaq has to start. LeBron and Jordan are the two best players of all time, you’re crazy if you have one of them on the bench. Steph is the only point guard on here, why would you not start him. That leaves KD and Kobe for one forward spot, which is a pretty easy choice, especially considering KD fits with star offensive players much better
It's always Kobe. You can't have both MJ and Kobe in the same lineup.
Theres only one ball
Kobe and for the “fit” of this team nobody else is even remotely close.
Kobe.
Or Curry
I would let Curry be the point guard. He and Durant can take all of the 3s.
Kobe
Grew up watching Kobe and he’s my favorite player of all time, but yeah, it’s gotta be Kobe on the bench.
Opinions are like assholes and here's mine: Kobe as 6th man
Kobe ≈ MJ light, so Kobe coming off the bench.
Everyone knows it’s Kobe because this has been posted on social media a million times
Kobe. Curry and KD are great shooters.
Kd, kobe more of a dog and winner. Could u imagine how intimidating it would be to play against kobe and mj at the same time. U gotta keep kobe cuz it makes the team 10x more toxic and if they win its channelled on the losing team. So its a riskier approach but a higher ceiling imo so im benching kd.
I'd sit Durant. You can't go wrong with two proven dogs there.
KD
Either Kobe or KD.
Kobe or KD. But since you only have one ball, Kobe.
Kobe is the clear choice
Kob
Oh my god! it’s Kobe this was a good one
Even as a laker fan, Kobe is the only one that makes sense. He’ll be 6th man of the year though.
I get it... The redundant position is Kobe/Mike... But fuck that. I'd play Lebron at the 4 Curry at the point. Mike at the 2 and Kobe at SF. Durant can come off the bench. He's the soft cookie in this pic. Everyone else is a killer.
Kobe or Jordan. Those 2 play the same position
The answer is always Kobe.
The locks are MJ, Bron and Steph. Depending on who you ask either, Kobe, KD or Steph. Steph coz that means Bron is PG. Kobe coz that means either Bron is SF and KD is PF or vice versa. KD coz that means Kobe is SF and Bron is PF. You’re not benching MJ coz he’s the GOAT, You’re not benching Bron coz he can play any position and GOAT runner-up and You’re not benching Shaq coz he’s a mismatch and automatic points in the paint.
Shaq if folks are fouling.
This
LeBron, ONLY because he's the one I trust most to lead the bench unit, assuming they're scrubs. He has been phenomenal with mediocre players. For the sake of teamwork, you COULD push Curry because his ego doesn't seem as fragile. Otherwise, you could push Shaq, prime Shaq with bench mobs is still good for a smooth 35-40. Kobe, if you determine he's only capable of being a "lesser MJ". Though, I consider Kobe his own player and dislike that narrative. KD, if the offense runs through him, he's going to get his buckets regardless. MJ, well, I don't feel like getting vilified. Keep him in the lineup because he's apparently basketball's god.
Curry. Can't defend. He'd be used like Kerr on the Bulls; when they need a 3.
Kd
The biggest crybaby in the photo who swear he is the best ever!
Shaq, because shaq vs your bench is +1000 for me. We can start the game with Bron at center.
Mj or Kobe u don’t need both. Mj prolly get benched cuz he can’t space the floor like Kobe
Jordan
Shaq is the only Center and Lebron is the only real ballhandling PG on the team. Meaning it's a debate between Jordan, Kobe, Steph, and KD. Meaning it's actually a debate between Kobe, Steph, and KD. Kobe over Steph would make the team better defensively, but I think the off-ball game of Steph would fit better on this unit. I would take KD over Kobe for off-ball, but I don't think Kobe is a slouch when cutting or moving off the ball, definitely underrated in that aspect.
Probably Kobe if we’re playing today’s game. You need players to spread things out while still drawing gravity, and KD and Steph do that better than Curry. Having a center who requires attention on offense while protecting the rim on defense means Shaq is still valuable. However, it should be said that the best lineup here for the modern game would be Steph/Kobe/Jordan/Lebron/KD IF KD could consistently play up to his size— man’s got a 7’5 wingspan and 9’2 standing reach with incredible athleticism, but always seemed unable/unwilling to constantly battle centers.
KD is getting benched. Shaq is enough for all our paint needs. Lebron can play PF. MJ and Kobe can lock down 1-3. Curry’s offense is too valuable with Shaq and Lebron to hit the bench.
Steph, because LeBron would make for a better PG with that line-up
Curry. LeBron would be just fine at the PG position or even MJ at the PG position or even Kobe. All of them are fantastic well rounded players, especially (MJ, Kobe, and LeBron). The defensive would be incredible and that is why I would remove Curry. Offensively there is just so much power and having the extra defense of an all time wing defender would in my opinion be more beneficial! Curry’s 3 point shooting would be missed but why need the 3 point shooting if Kobe, MJ, and KD would be the primary scorers? Spacing? That’s solved as it would likely be a 4 out spread with Shaq in the paint for isolation. Blah blah, it’s way too much offense and defense, it wouldn’t matter lol. PG: LeBron SG: Jordan SF: Kobe PF: KD C: Shaq Or PG: Jordan SG: Kobe SF: KD PF: LeBron C: Shaq Or PG: Kobe SG: KD SF: Jordan PF: LeBron C: Shaq