Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named His All-Time NBA Starting Five

During the 2024/25 NBA season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a leap and became one of the best players in the world. He guided the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first ever title and was rewarded for his efforts by being named the MVP of the year. It was the culmination of an astronomical rise over the last few years for the point guard.

Having been drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th pick and traded immediately to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018, no one foresaw the exceptional player that Gilgeous-Alexander would eventually become, but there’s no denying his status as one of the best in the sport right now. If he continues playing at the level he has shown over the last 12 months, it won’t be long before he enters the discussion in terms of all-time great point guards.

He might even make it into some people’s all-time NBA starting fives. As things stand, he’s not reached those heights just yet, but, as per Basket News, he has named the five players he’d pick in his all-time starting five. Shockingly, he didn’t include LeBron James, who is one of the greatest players ever.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s All-Time NBA Starting Five

Point Guard – Kobe Bryant

The first of several unconventional picks where Gilgeous-Alexander chose someone outside of their natural position, he slotted Kobe Bryant in at point guard. Black Mamba spent his entire career at the Los Angeles Lakers and is beloved by those who follow the California-based franchise.

He was a fierce competitor and a relentless scorer, terrorising his opponents on the court. He was also an impressive defender who wasn’t afraid to get up close and personal with his opponents. Bryant’s winning mentality is the stuff of legend and almost every young guard with aspirations of playing in the NBA looked up to him. It’s not surprising that Gilgeous-Alexander was one of those players.

Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan

The reason a natural shooting guard like Kobe Bryant was selected at point guard is because Gilgeous-Alexander simply couldn’t name an all-time starting five that didn’t include Michael Jordan. The Chicago Bulls icon is considered the greatest basketball player of all time and there’s never been anyone like him before or since he graced the court.

Jordan was ferocious and was one of the best pure scorers that the NBA has ever seen. He was a walking bucket, but his ability to drive his teams to success, no matter the odds, is something that fans still talk about 22 years after his retirement. To the majority, he’s the best player ever and it would have been shocking if he wasn’t included.

Small Forward – Allen Iverson

Another iconic shooting guard that has been selected out of position to accommodate for Jordan is Allen Iverson. AI was an enigma and his unrelenting attitude to basketball and the manner in which he never backed down from a challenge, no matter who stood in front of him quickly won him an army of fans.

Whether it was a star player or the last man on the bench, Iverson would go head-to-head with anyone. He was flashy, charismatic, but just really, really good. His exploits on the court might not be as remembered to younger fans in comparison with the other players in the starting five, but he was as good as anyone in his prime. Still, the decision not to include LeBron James is a very surprising one.

Power Forward – Kevin Durant

The only player in Gilgeous-Alexander’s starting five who is still playing in the NBA, Kevin Durant is one of the most dominant scorers in the history of the game. His lengthy frame has made him near-impossible to guard for even the best defenders and he’s taken advantage of that over the years.

He may have been vilified for his decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016, but the move saw Durant win two NBA championships and he will retire as one of the very best players of all time.

Centre – Shaquille O’Neal

At centre, Gilgeous-Alexander picked one of the strongest and most imposing figures in basketball history, with Shaquille O’Neal. Famous for actually tearing the basket down on more than one occasion, Diesel would bully his opponents in the paint and there wasn’t a soul on the planet capable of guarding him during his prime.

O’Neal formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history with Bryant, so it’s fitting that both have earned spots in Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-time starting five.