NBA players are constantly being asked to debate who some of the greatest players of all time are. It’s a pretty tired discourse that always results in a discrepancy between generations. If you were born after 1995, you probably think LeBron James is the GOAT. If you were born after 1980, Michael Jordan is likely your goat. Meanwhile, if you grew up in the 60s, you might say someone like Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain.
Now, players are asked about their all-time starting fives as this allows them to pay homage to multiple different players amongst numerous positions. Recently, Paul George was asked by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski about his starting five and the Clippers star gave an interesting answer, albeit one that may upset some purists out there.
“I would have Bron [LeBron James] at the point, Kobe [Bryant] at the two,” George said. “Yeah, I know Michael is the best, but I grew up on Kobe, so I would put Kobe at the two. My three, I would put Larry [Bird] at my three. At my four I will put KG [Kevin Garnett]. And my five I will put Shaq [O’Neal].”
Not including Jordan will definitely upset some of the oldheads out there but considering he chose Kobe instead, you can’t really blame him. You’re always going to be biased towards your favorite and at the end of the day, George is only human.
Let us know in the comments below who you would put as your starting five.