Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time and for good reason. The man has never lost in a final and holds a perfect 6-0 record in the title game. So when he talks about his all-time starting five, people listen with interest.
Jordan did just that during an interview with Cigar Aficionado founder Marvin R. Shanken back in 2005. He included himself in the starting five as the shooting guard and created a deadly team with some of the greatest talents to ever grace the league. Let's take a look at the all-time starting five of the greatest of them all.
Point Guard
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
The former Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Magic Johnson, has received a lot of competition of late from the Golden State Warriors' superstar Steph Curry for the title of the greatest point guard of all time. However, Jordan has always given the nod to his rival and friend when it came to the all-time debate. The five-time champion led the Lakers to a dynastic run in the 80s and was the heart of one of the best teams in the history of the NBA. Jordan acknowledged that and did not hesitate in naming Johnson his starting PG.
"That's easy. Magic Johnson," Jordan said. "Because of his height, you'd have a tough time defending him. It's a beautiful thing to see a 6-foot 9-inch guy rebound the ball and start the break. It would be the all-time tallest team, putting me at the two guard."
Small Forward
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
For the small forward position, Jordan did not have to look past his running mate and partner in crime, Scottie Pippen. The former Portland Trail Blazer made Air Jordan's starting five over other greats such as Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkins. Pippen was an important player during the Chicago Bulls' dynasty in the 90s alongside Jordan and won six titles with them.
"That is the toughest part because I played with one of the best small forwards, Scottie Pippen," MJ said. "He is as versatile as it comes. He handles the ball. He's a good defensive rebounder. I would be hard-pressed to pick someone else at the small forward position, even though I know Dr. J [Julius Erving] is sitting right there, too, especially in terms of excitement."
He further continued: "And there's Dominique Wilkins, too. And you'd have to think about Elgin Baylor, even though I never saw Baylor play, or played with him. But from what I know, and what he could provide, it's Scottie Pippen. I know that's being biased to some degree. But I can't help it."
Power Forward
Larry Bird
Larry Bird
Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics gave Jordan and his Bulls nightmares in the 80s. The three-time champion had a 6-0 record against Jordan and MJ has not failed to acknowledge his great rival. Bird made the six-time champion's starting five over players such as Charles Oakley, Karl Malone, and James Worthy.
"There's James Worthy, whom I love, and he is a North Carolina guy," Jordan told Shanken. "Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, whom I adore and is a good friend, and Charles Oakley. But in terms of again, versatility, it has to be Larry Bird. The things he could provide to you all around: his demeanor, his work ethic, and his versatility once again.
"The idea here is I would build a versatile, multi-talented team able to do so many different things. When the defence comes at you, they have to guard a lot of different areas, and that makes Larry Bird the choice for me."
Center
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in between Jordan and the Bulls' two three-peats. He was the league's MVP in 1994 and was a 12-time All-Star. Olajuwon is widely regarded as one of the most skillful centers in the league and was promptly selected by Jordan in his all-time starting five.
"It's going to be somewhat biased because I didn't play back in the days of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, some of the great stars prior to me. And it's very tough because I'm friends with a lot of players today," Jordan explained. "But if I had to pick a center, I would take [Hakeem] Olajuwon. That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. It leaves out a lot of people."
He further continued: "And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can give you from that position. It's not just his scoring, not just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. People don't realise he was in the top seven in steals. He always made great decisions on the court. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him."
Michael Jordan's starting five does look like an unbeatable squad with versatility, shooting, defence, and physicality. It would have been an amazing experience to watch all these icons share the floor with the same team in their primes.
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