Austin Reaves, a rising star for the Los Angeles Lakers, prepares for his fourth NBA season after going undrafted in 2020. Throughout his career, he has played alongside basketball legends like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Anthony Davis. Recently, he shared his all-time starting five, which features some of these incredible players.
In a recent episode of the BustaJack Golf podcast, 26-year-old Lakers player Reaves discussed his all-time favorite NBA starting five.
Austin Reaves’ first choices for his all-time starting five are Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal. He said, “Steph, MJ, Kobe, Bron, Shaq. But if I’m running a team, I’m going Steph, Kobe, KD, Bron, Shaq.” This team has great shooting, scoring talent, leadership, and strength, making them strong on offense and defense.
Austin Reaves swaps Michael Jordan for Kevin Durant in his second lineup, reflecting a style of basketball he’s more familiar with. This choice shows his preference for players he has played against and admired, giving his all-time team a modern feel.
Reaves also stressed the importance of honoring past legends, stating, “All the old heads, just relax, bro, just relax. No disrespect… I can’t put something that I literally have no knowledge about. At least I know about Jordan, Magic.”
Austin Reaves’ All-Time Starting Five Merges Legends With Modern Greats
Reaves started his picks with Stephen Curry, who is known as the best shooter in NBA history. With four championships, one Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs, and two scoring titles, Curry has changed the game with his shooting and playmaking. He stretches defenses and creates chances for his teammates, making him the best choice for point guard.
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Next, he picked Michael Jordan, who has six championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, and ten scoring titles. Often seen as the greatest player ever, Jordan stands out for his ability to perform in challenging situations and lead his team.
Reaves then chose his idol, Kobe Bryant. With five championships, two Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP, and two scoring titles, Bryant played similarly to Jordan, and some even argue he was better.
After that, he picked LeBron James, with many believing he had surpassed Jordan. James has four championships, four Finals MVPs, four regular-season MVPs, a scoring title, and an assists title.
Finally, Shaquille O’Neal, a former teammate of both James and Bryant, completed Reaves’ selections. O’Neal won four championships, three Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP, and two scoring titles. His strength and scoring ability make him a crucial part of Reaves’ all-time team.
All these players have impressive records, making them excellent choices. Reaves’ all-time starting five combines old-school legends with today’s stars, showing his respect for the game and the players who have made an impact.
