Bill Simmons names Steph Curry, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic into his most fun five in NBA history
LeBron James, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are five of the NBA history’s best players across different eras. They’ll likely be dominant under any style and with any teammate.
For Bill Simmons, putting them together under one team would be blissfully fun:
“If you want to go with the passing upside, you go 2013 LeBron. That Miami Heat 27-game winning streak version. Putting him with Curry and these other three guys [Bird, Johnson and Jokic], I think that would make my brain explode the most.”
(Starts at 9:25)
Before identifying them, he underlined what “fun” was all about. It means unselfish basketball where there’s almost a telepathic connection between players. LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic are easily the most popular names known for their playmaking and basketball IQs.
Steph Curry has carved defenses up not just with his shooting but with his playmaking as well. He may well be the most underrated passer to impact the game in NBA history.
Simmons had to make a tough choice between 1988 or 1992 Michael Jordan and 2013 LeBron James. He eventually went with “LBJ” because his passing and playmaking are supposed to be greater than Tom Brady's.
“The Ringer” founder then explained why Steph Curry should be a lock:
“Curry is actually the fourth because all the stuff that makes Jokic fun to watch with Jamal Murray, Curry is the greatest ever version of Jamal Murray. Putting that with all three of these guys, I don’t even know what that looks like. Curry could be just in the corner and like, ‘I’m over here, guys, if you need me.'”
The foundation, however, has to be Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic:
“‘86 Bird, ‘87 Magic and 2022 Jokic. Out of anyone in NBA history, who would be the most fun two guys to put with those three.”
It is a team that would be a fun five to watch, but they would be almost impossible to deal with.
Steph Curry, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic as a unit would be a nightmare to defend
It’s always interesting when one can put together any player in NBA history to form a five-man unit. Most notably, basketball fans have their best all-time five that should supposedly dominate any quintet.
Bill Simmons’ fun five, though, would be a nightmare to play against under any era.
LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic should all be naturals in the rough and tumble days of the NBA. Steph Curry may initially struggle due to his size and frame, but he’s a competitor at the highest level. He will not be intimidated and will keep coming back for more.
For the first time since Larry Bird and Magic Johnson ran things, the NBA has found itself in something of a passing boom.
With defenses spread out more than ever before, the NBA has become a playground for the game’s most creative passers.
@tylrparkr:
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Their individual and team defense may not be anywhere the best, but their offense would give any team fits. They’re all unselfish and can make plays out of nothing.
Steph Curry, Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic have the kind of shooting that will make LeBron James salivate at the lanes he will be seeing. The “L Train” has been dominant throughout his career when he’s surrounded by less accomplished shooters.
Imagine the open freeway he gets when Curry, the NBA's unparalleled three-point king, Bird and Jokic surround him.
Magic Johnson and LeBron James could take turns orchestrating plays and with the help of Larry Bird and Nikola Jokic, dissect defenses.