Video: Barack Obama Gives All-Time NBA Starting 5 with Jordan, LeBron, Curry, More

Featured Columnist IVOctober 13, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22- President of the United States, Barack Obama presents NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan during a ceremony with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on November 22, 2016 in Washington D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama assembled his all-time starting five in NBA history and it wasn't an exercise he took lightly.

Obama led off by picking Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. From there, he went with the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, specifying he envisioned James in a point forward role. He still wanted a natural point guard, though, and opted for the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry. He filled out his frontcourt with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon.

Barack Obama @BarackObama
From one basketball fan to the next, I hope you enjoy <a href="https://twitter.com/HGMedia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HGMedia</a>'s docuseries – Starting 5 – which is streaming now on <a href="https://twitter.com/netflix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Netflix</a>.<br><br>And if you were ever wondering which players I'd have in my starting five – take a look! <a href="https://t.co/Vet3Zz68Fr">pic.twitter.com/Vet3Zz68Fr</a>

Olajuwon was the most surprising inclusion, with Obama believing he would excel in the modern-day game.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP was unquestionably dominant in his day, averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks for his career. There's a reason why younger players picked his brain on how to develop their post games.

Still, picking "The Dream" meant overlooking the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and Bill Russell.

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The other four are likely to be far less contentious.

Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest NBA player of all time, and James is arguably MJ's only serious challenger for that title. Curry is the greatest shooter ever and helped to revolutionize the sport with his long-range shooting. Durant, meanwhile, is a cheat code on offense and he showed during his Warriors run he could seamlessly fit into a star-studded squad with multiple elite scoring options.

Obama's starting five would stack up favorably with any other lineup you could toss out there.