We’ve literally all seen this play out before, even if it was fiction.
But if aliens ever invaded, and time could be manipulated, we need to know who’s in the basketball team that will end up saving the world.
So there’s the context, now let’s get into it — here’s the best basketball team ever assembled and why these planet-saving, all-world talents have made the cut.
Basketball’s most perfect dream team
POINT GUARD: Stephen Curry
In order to save the world from invading aliens we need shooting, and who better to begin our starting five than the greatest shooter god ever created (insert Stephen A. Smith voice here).
The NBA’s all-time leading three-point scorer has revolutionised the modern game of basketball, which not many can claim to have done. He’d surely be an impossible task for anyone in this universe to guard.
Although Curry isn’t your typical pass-first point guard, like a Magic Johnson or Chris Paul, his offensive output is incredible, forcing defenders to choose between double-teaming him (the right approach) and run the risk of having space for other stars… or guard him one-on-one (good luck!).
SHOOTING GUARD: Michael Jordan
Not only is Michael Jordan widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time, he also has been in this situation before — scoring 44 points on 100% shooting against the actual Monstars in Space Jam back in 1996.
Jordan and Curry in the backcourt might be the scariest basketball guard duo of all time, with a combined 10 championships between the two of them, along with 54,600* (*still counting) career points.
We all know what Michael Jordan is bringing to the table on this team — elite scoring, continuous highlight reels, underrated defensive abilities, insane mental toughness and obviously he’ll be taking this personally.
SMALL FORWARD: Kobe Bryant
We’re playing small(er) ball in our most perfect basketball team, with the Black Mamba lacing up at the small forward spot. But size won’t matter here, as Bryant is a 12-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection.
On the offensive end though, think about guarding Kobe and MJ when they are both locked in, dishing out death stares to anyone who’s not on their team. Everything Bryant is is what Jordan was, so having both of them starting would be a nightmare for the opposition.
And remember what Kobe does in final ever games — scoring 60 points in his final NBA game with the ability to score from anywhere on the court.
POWER FORWARD: LeBron James
Power forward, point guard, center, it doesn’t matter. LeBron James is the most versatile player to have ever graced an NBA court, and his ability to play any position makes him so valuable to defend the planet.
Similarly to Jordan, LeBron has been in a Space Jam situation; providing him even more crucial experience to rise to this pressure-cooking occasion.
But that was just one game. What LeBron has done over the 20+ years of his career puts him as one of the greatest players ever winning four championships; four MVPs, four Finals MVPs, a six-time All-Defensive player, most points all-time and career averages of 27/8/7.
CENTER: Shaquille O’Neal
We never found someone, or something, that could stop prime Shaquille O’Neal, with his brute force something that no one on Earth has equaled on an NBA court.
The plan on this team for Shaq would be to play extremely physical in the early stages of the game to try and tire out the aliens, before looking to the bench for more finesse.
With so many superstar players on the court at once, looking to defend the planet from invasion, there’s no doubt there will be moments where the aliens cop some humiliation… helping O’Neal out with a new Shaqtin’ a Fool segment.
SIXTH MAN: Nikola Jokic
It may come as a surprise to some to see Nikola Jokic selected in the All-World team to defend the planet, considering this chatter as to whether he even likes basketball. But that doesn’t mean he’s not a ridiculously good player… and when an alien invasion could affect his precious Serbian horses, he’s all hands on deck.
Jokic would be the perfect substitution when Shaq is tiring, offering something completely different at the center position. While O’Neal is all strength, Jokic is all class, priding himself on his passing ability and overall playmaking.
As a multiple time MVP and NBA champion, Jokic knows exactly how to dominate and make everyone else around him better — a scary prospect considering there are 18 MVP trophies amongst the team.
ROTATIONAL GUARD: Magic Johnson
There’s plenty of players on this team who could run the point guard spot amazingly, but no one could execute it as well as Magic Johnson could.
Once Curry needs a break, Magic will bring a more pass-first approach to the position, trying to get everyone else more involved.
On a team full of the greatest basketball players of all-time, something tell us Johnson will be willing to take a backseat scoring-wise for the overall benefit of the team.
ROTATIONAL FORWARD: Dennis Rodman
There’s two reasons why Dennis Rodman has found his way onto this team. Firstly, it’s his incredible defensive capabilities that can’t be underestimated, and secondly, his well documented partying ability.
When this All-World team defends the planet from alien invasion, there’s going to need to be a celebration and there’s no person in NBA history you’d rather have running it than Rodman.
Arguably one of the best on-ball defenders of all-time, Rodman would be tasked with defending the aliens’ best player whenever he’s on the court and be a serious rebounding presence on both ends of the court.
Recapping the team:
PG: Steph Curry
SG: Michael Jordan
SF: Kobe Bryant
PF: Lebron James
C: Shaquille O’Neal
BENCH: Magic Johnson, Nikola Jokic, Dennis Rodman
