As we all know, when it comes to the NBA's all-time best lineup, most fans would first think of the combination of "Magic, God, Emperor, Buddha, Shark." After all, as the top players in each position, if they could team up for the same team, the NBA might witness an unprecedented grand finale.
However, with the rise of new-generation stars, there are also some new voices regarding the issue of the all-time best lineup. Recently, Kevin Durant, the star player of the Phoenix Suns, was asked about the strongest scoring lineup in NBA history during his appearance on the podcast "Out the Mud," and he gave his answer.
Durant believes that if the five purest scorers in NBA history were combined, the point guard should be Irving, the shooting guard is Kobe, the small forward is McGrady, the power forward is himself, and the center is Garnett. Durant's list does not include LeBron James, the all-time leading scorer, or Michael Jordan, the god of basketball; instead, they are replaced by Kobe and McGrady.
It is worth noting that when discussing the shooting guard position, Durant also explained that this list is arranged according to his preferences, so it inevitably excludes some famous players. Moreover, he was very conflicted in choosing between Kobe and Jordan.
In Durant's mind, in terms of scoring ability alone, Kobe and Jordan are on par, but McGrady is definitely superior to James. In terms of statistics, Kobe averaged 25 points in his career, Garnett 17 points, and McGrady 19 points. As current superstars, Durant and Irving averaged 27 points and 24 points respectively. In terms of honors, Kobe, Garnett, and McGrady have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and it is only a matter of time before Durant and Irving are inducted as well.
Moreover, knowledgeable fans know that although Durant's list seems to have difficulty solving the ball distribution problem, it is actually very reasonable. Irving, as a dual-guard, has always been underrated in terms of his passing vision. With him handling the ball, the ball distribution problems of Kobe and McGrady can also be effectively resolved. Plus, Durant can play without the ball and can fit into any system. As long as Garnett can play the role of a high-level blue-collar worker, this lineup is capable of winning 82 regular season games, or even winning the championship undefeated in the playoffs. Finally, do you think Durant's best lineup can defeat the "Magic, God, Emperor, Buddha, Shark" combination?