Build a starting five that beats mine—all players in their prime
I’m trying to build the toughest possible five-man lineup—not necessarily the five greatest careers, but the best actual team for a seven-game series.
My starting five:
PG: LeBron James — 2012–13
26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG on 56.5% shooting and 40.6% from three
SG: Michael Jordan — 1987–88
35.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 SPG and 1.6 BPG — won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year
SF: Kawhi Leonard — 2016–17
25.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.8 SPG while shooting 48.5% from the field and 38% from three
PF: Kevin Garnett — 2003–04
24.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG and 2.2 BPG — league MVP
C: Tim Duncan — 2002–03
23.3 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.9 APG and 2.9 BPG — league MVP, champion and Finals MVP
LeBron runs the offense, MJ is the primary scorer, Kawhi provides spacing and perimeter defense, and KG and Duncan control the paint. Every player can defend, four can comfortably switch, there are multiple elite playmakers, and there really isn’t an obvious weak matchup to attack.
Assume everyone is fully healthy, in their absolute prime and adapted to the same era and rules.
Post your starting five that beats this team—and explain the matchups. Don’t just name five great players. Tell me who guards whom and why your team wins the series.