In a recent interview, when asked about his perfect starting 5 (of current NBA players, he said:
"I'd probably go with Luka [Doncic] at the point," Durant started. "Luka, me, LeBron [James], Embiid at my five because Embiid can shoot the three better than {Nikola Jokic]… Then you gotta go with someone like Klay [Thompson]. He's 6'7", shooting that thing like that.".
What starting 5 of current players can you think of that would beat KD's starting 5?
This was KD:
PG – Luka
SG – Klay
SF/PF – Lebron
SF/PF – KD
C – Embiid
by 5lackBot
29 Comments
PG: Curry
SG: Shai
SF: Tatum
PF: Giannis
C: Jokic
The Klay pick is a heavy weak point if we’re talking about current versions of players so I don’t think it’s at all impossible to beat the 5 he selected
DYLAN
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WEMBY
Payton Pritchard
Lonnie Walker
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Luke Kornet
easy
Brunson/Bridges/OG/Jules/Mitch
I feel like Celtics + Joker/AD will do, lol.
Luka and Klay on KD’s starting 5? KD to Dallas confirmed?
Curry, Booker, Tatum, Giannis, and AD. I’d be a little worried about spacing with Giannis and AD but between my first three they should solid and this defense would be elite.
Curry, Holiday, Kawhi, Giannis, Jokic
I saw what these two can do in the olympics on the defensive end and that’s why I’m picking them
PG – Curry
SG – Shai
SF – Tatum
PF – Bam
C – AD
Jru Holiday Anthony Edwards Jayson Tatum Giannis Jokic
Oh wow diss booker like that.
Very confused why he put Klay in there. Just say Book, man.
Haliburton (a weak point but my logic is with 5 Uber stars you want someone who looks to pass first wherever possible)
Curry
Tatum
Gianni’s
Jokic
I think Luka is a little too heliocentric that being in a meme team like this isn’t his ideal position.
We all going to ignore KD left out Steph 👀
Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porziņģis
PG – Curry
SG – Booker
SF/PF – Edwards
SF/PF – AD
C – Jokic
This is assuming we can’t use KD’s players. Jokic almost beat the US by himself, he’s an easy pick. Debated putting SGA or Tatum in over Booker/AD but I’m impressed with how well Booker played in the Olympics, he can contribute without being the main guy. And AD’s defense is worth the slight spacing issue. AD is not terrible from perimeter so I think on this team he can work on hit outside shooting and shoot better like he did the bubble year.
Tyler Herro
Alex Caruso
Grayson Allen
Kevin Love
Mason Plumlee
He said it in the context of the video game. Which 5 would you want in the game. This is nothing, can’t wait until games actually start.
Steph Ant Kawhi Giannis Jokic
Steph
Booker
Tatum
Giannis
Jokic
Booker showed he can be a super good role player, good defence, willing to do the little things. Tatum can do the same as long as he doesn’t try to be the hero, Steph is Steph, and Giannis and Jokic are easily the best in the world at their positions, and arguably the two best players in the world. And in one year, I might feel free to change out any of my five for Victor Wembanyama
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1996 Bill Murray
Bol Bol
I got Curry , Ant , Kwahi , Giannis & Wemby (assuming all the guys are healthy)
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PG: Curry
SG: Holiday/White (can’t decide)
SF: Kawhi
PF: Giannis
C: Jokic
Basically (to me) the best 5 players of the last 5 championships. Bubble doesn’t count /s.
Curry-holiday-luka-giannis-jokic
PG: Curry
SG: Ant Edwards
SF: Kawhi
PF: Giannis
C: Jokic
Surround Curry and Jokic with two way monsters. Curry can be off ball most of the game and take over in clutch if needed. Replace Giannis with Tatum if you want more shooting.
Curry, Jrue, Kawhi, Giannis, Wemby
Lock down on defense and spread the floor with Giannis driving into the middle on offense
That’s a solid lineup KD picked! To counter it, I’d go with:
PG – Steph Curry
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Nikola Jokic
This team combines elite shooting, defense, and versatility. What do you think?
Curry, Booker, OG, Giannis, Jokic
I’m sure many will disagree with OG, but there’s already so many stars on this roster, and there’s only one ball. IMO OG is the best 3&D guy in the league, so I like his fit here. Having OG and Giannis to defend LeBron and KD is a quality pair IMO.
Obviously Kawhi is a really strong option for this role too, but his health is starting to go and it’s so hard to know how he’ll hold up next year. Could also go Tatum or Brown, but again, if the player is gonna be the #5 option (which Tatum or Brown would be, with this lineup), I prefer OG, as it’ll be more of a 3&D role than the normal star role these guys play.
Then Curry/Booker as the guards, Giannis/Jokic as the bigs, kinda self explanatory.