If given a chance to build your very own starting five in the NBA, who would you take? You’re obviously going to mix and match all of your favorite superstars, regardless of the position and role. However, that already happened in the past … and it was a mess! That ‘90s team with Barley, Pippen, Drexler, and Olajuwon was underwhelming and the Durant, Irving, and Harden big three in Brooklyn was catastrophic.
So, if I’m in charge of creating a team, I’ll be looking at, not just the stats, but also their capabilities and impact. Through the years, great defensive teams have seen a lot of success in the league, and add a couple of the right pieces to that squad, and viola, you already have a championship contender.
Basically, what I want my team to have our players with the following:
- Defensive strength
- Size
- Versatility
- Youth
- Ability to fit with the team
- Underrated but important traits
- Hunger to win
So, without further ado, here’s my very own NBA team.
PG: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
The focal point of a good contender’s offense is an excellent floor general, facilitator, and leader, who, more times than not, happens to be the team’s point guard.
If I’m looking for a PG who can create his own shots while also being an extremely gifted facilitator, I’m choosing who excels in both: Trae Young.
Since entering the league in 2018, Young has consistently been in the top 5 in assists in the league. His ridiculous razzle dazzle passes aren’t just fun to watch, they’re also effective (Clint Capela and John Collins would agree). Right now, Trae averages 9.6 assists per game in his career, which is currently the best among active players and 3rd all-time, just behind legendary point guards John Stockton and Magic Johnson.
Aside from making plays for his teammates, Young is also known to hit big shots over taller defenders despite only standing just a bit over 6 feet. So, a point guard with his caliber is definitely a great fit for a championship contender. After all, he already brought the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals.
| Trae Young | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | 3-P FG% | TO | STOCKS (STL+BLK) |
| 2023-2024 | 25.7 | 10.8 | 2.8 | 43.0 | 37.3 | 4.4 | 1.5 |
| 2024-2025 | 23.9 | 11.5 | 4.2 | 39.0 | 33.3 | 4.5 | 1.5 |
SG: Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Since I already have a ball-dominant point guard in my starting five, it wouldn’t make sense to pair him with another guard in the 2 spot who needs to always have the ball to be effective. Gone are the days of volume-scoring guards like Allen Iverson. Basically, what I would need is a guard who has the size and skill set of an elite perimeter defender, and who also can give me double-digits in scoring, both inside and outside.
Common 3-and-D players would be a great pickup, but if you’re looking for someone to replicate Klay Thompson’s role in the Warriors dynasty in the 2010s, then going for another proven and tested champion would fit the bill—Derrick White.
White can put up 20 or even 30 points without being even the primary ball handler. He’s a low-usage defensive guard who is actually very efficient in the three-ball. Being chosen over Jaylen Brown, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, and Trae Young for Team USA means he is the perfect one for that exact role.
In the 2024-2025 season, White is averaging career-highs in points (19.0 PPG), rebounds (4.5 RPG), and 3-point field goal percentage (42%).
| Derrick White | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | 3-P FG% | TO | STOCKS (STL+BLK) |
| 2023-2024 | 15.2 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 46.1 | 39.6 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| 2024-2025 | 19.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 47.5 | 42.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
SF: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Small forwards who can go nuts on both ends of the floor is a game changer for contenders. One of those types of superstars is 2024 Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown.
JB is a terrific scorer, and despite the criticism he’s been receiving through the years, the man is an absolute beast on offense and continues to improve every season. He’s also got the perfect skill set, work ethic, basketball IQ, and most importantly, as the alpha of the team, Jaylen Brown has the right attitude and mindset of a leader. Even with the Boston Celtics, some would argue he’s the best player on that team over Jayson Tatum. Well, he’s obviously the best on my roster.
Brown is an All-NBA team honoree and has all the tools to be an All-Defensive team member. He’s also shown the ability to co-exist with another star (i.e. Tatum), so it wouldn’t be an excruciating task for him to work with all-star teammates like Trae Young and Bam Adebayo. Brown, 28, may very well be in his prime, but he still continues to improve his play every year. Honestly, he’s still got a very high ceiling.
| Jaylen Brown | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | 3-P FG% | TO | STOCKS (STL+BLK) |
| 2023-2024 | 23.0 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 49.9 | 35.4 | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| 2024-2025 | 25.4 | 3.7 | 7.2 | 42.4 | 29.5 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
PF: Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
Although he was initially known for his emphatic dunks and almost winning in the slam dunk contest (thanks Dwyane Wade), only real fans know how disruptive of a defender Aaron Gordon is. He hasn’t been selected to any All-Defensive teams yet, but he can definitely get at least one in the future.
His quickness and athleticism, matched with his size allow him to guard any position. But aside from being a defensive monger, Gordon’s biggest serviceable trait is his talent in being in the perfect position on the court and making cuts to the basket. This was evident thanks to Jokic’s court vision, but we also have to give props to Gordon’s basketball IQ.
| Aaron Gordon | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | 3-P FG% | TO | STOCKS (STL+BLK) |
| 2023-2024 | 13.9 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 55.6 | 29.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2024-2025 | 15.4 | 3.1 | 6.7 | 52.9 | 54.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
C: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
The last three MVPs were all big men, and two of those guys are centers, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Those two may be generational talents, but some would say these superstars lack a fundamental part of the game that makes them the greatest— defense.
If I’ll be looking for a center who can surely be a defensive anchor while also not becoming a liability on offense, then I might have to go with Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, I’d also want someone to be fully healthy throughout the 82-game season until the playoffs, so I wouldn’t probably be considering a 31-year-old AD. If that’s the case, the best player that suits my needs is none other than Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo.
He’s just 27 years old, but he’s been in the top five voting for the Defensive Player of the Year in the last five years. Standing at 6 feet and 10 inches plus a 7’1’’ wingspan, he already has all of the physical tools to become a defensive anchor. Adebayo is a 5-time All-Defensive team honoree and he is currently in the top 25 players with the best defensive rating for the 2024-2025 NBA season. However, it’s surprising to see him not win any DPOY yet.
Regardless, Bam could really be that guy. A rim protector who can slide from the paint to the perimeter, while also giving you 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He’s only one of the few players who can technically guard positions 1 through 5, but he sometimes gets overlooked and overshadowed by other big men in the league.
| Bam Adebayo | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | 3-P FG% | TO | STOCKS (STL+BLK) |
| 2023-2024 | 19.3 | 3.9 | 10.4 | 52.1 | 35.7 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| 2024-2025 | 15.3 | 3.9 | 9.1 | 40.7 | 21.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 |
What do you think about this defensive-minded squad? Would they have what it takes to compete for a championship? Share your own fantasy starting five in the comments below and let’s discuss which lineup would dominate the hardwood!
