Whenever the topic of the "greatest lineup in history" comes up, does the image of "Magic, God, Emperor, Buddha, Shark" come to mind? Although the NBA has never officially selected the greatest lineup in history, it is still a topic that is discussed with great enthusiasm by countless media and fans, and even many stars have personally expressed their opinions.
Previously, Harden also shared his all-time NBA team during an interview. Let's take a look at who made his list.
Firstly, at the point guard position, Harden's choice was somewhat unexpected. It was neither Magic Johnson nor Curry, but James was placed at the No. 1 spot. As the most versatile player in NBA history, James is known for his explosive physicality and top-notch basketball IQ, capable of playing any position on the court. Even as a point guard, James is more than capable, as evidenced by the Lakers' championship win in 2020 when he played as a point guard and won the assist title that season.
At the shooting guard position, Harden chose his idol, Kobe. Peak Kobe is undoubtedly one of the best scorers in league history, having created a series of records such as 81 points in a single game, 62 points in three quarters, and four consecutive games with 50+, scoring for him was like taking something out of a bag. At the same time, Kobe was also an outstanding defensive guard, with 9 selections to the All-Defensive First Team being the best proof of his abilities.
Next, Harden chose Jordan as the small forward for his lineup. Jordan's abilities need no further explanation; his performances on both offense and defense were at the highest level. He led his team to two three-peats, won 6 Finals MVPs, 5 regular-season MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, which is enough to explain why he is called the "Basketball God."
Finally, in the frontcourt, Harden chose Duncan and O'Neal as partners. Duncan is widely recognized as the greatest power forward in history and is synonymous with stability and efficiency. His mid-range bank shots from the low post are almost unsolvable, and he is also seen as having his own defensive system. O'Neal, on the other hand, is hailed as the most dominant center, with a weight of 300 pounds and beast-like strength that allows him to dominate the paint. Apart from the Hack-a-Shark tactic, no one can limit him.
In summary, Harden's lineup is excellent in both offense and defense, with James as the master controller, Jordan and Kobe as top-notch finishers, and Duncan and O'Neal guarding the paint. It is likely that no team could last more than three quarters against them. If we were to select another lineup to compete with this one, what would you choose? The editor nominates: Curry + Leonard + Durant + Olajuwon + Jokic.