TheNBA’s rich history is filled with legendary names, iconic players who defined generations, set records, and reshaped the way basketball is played. That’s why naming an all-time starting five is no easy task, yet, former U.S. President Barack Obama, a known basketball enthusiast, didn’t shy away from the challenge.
From dominant big men to electrifying guards, each era has produced stars who left a lasting impact on the league, making the challenge even more difficult for Obama. Still, he didn’t hesitate to reveal his picks. As always, he approached the task with enthusiasm and thoughtful consideration, carefully selecting his choices for what he called his NBA All-Time Starting Five.
The Bleacher Report top-10 players.
All this fuss came after Bleacher Report released a list ranking the top 100 players in NBA history. The list quickly went viral, sparking intense debate among fans, analysts, and even former players.
TOP 100 NBA PLAYERS OF ALL TIME
1 MJ
2 LeBron
3 Kareem
4 Magic
5 Russell
6 Shaq
7 Duncan
8 Bird
9 Wilt
Steph
11 Kobe
12 Hakeem
13 KD
14 Oscar
15 West
16 KG
17 Joki
18 Dirk
19 David Robinson
20 Dr JFULL B/R STAFF RANKINGS HERE: https://t.co/P8hSoAoE1Rpic.twitter.com/kq47DdXzYC
? Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 14, 2025
In that list, some of the big names where out of the top-10, including Kobe Bryant. However, the list is led by the Chicago Bulls All-time Star, Michael Jordan who won 6 NBA championships in 15 seasons.
LeBron James, the current Los Angeles Lakers superstar, ranked second, followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabar. At last, in the top-10 is Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors point-guard.
Because of this list, fans everywhere have started building their own all-time NBA teams, and joining in on the conversation, former President Barack Obama shared his picks as well. His lineup quickly grabbed attention across social media.
Obama’s All-Time NBA Starting Five
Obama’s squad is a balanced mix of legends from the ’80s and ’90s along with current All-Stars. The former U.S. President began his video by saying, “I’m going to talk about my favorite starting five.” He then added, “I put together a team that I would enjoy watching, and I think they’d beat anybody.”
Barack Obama talks about his top 5
Video via: https://t.co/82vBFS5gHkpic.twitter.com/SgHume3M65
? MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 19, 2025
Barack Obama was born in Chicago, and for this reason he chose in the first pick the local hero, Michael Jordan at shooting Guard. Accompanying Jordan will be theLos Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James as point forward.
Stephen Curry made Obama’s all-time five as the team’s primary shooter. For the center position, he selected Hakeem Olajuwon, praising his ability to bring balance on both offense and defense. Lastly, Obama chose Kevin Durant, currently with the Houston Rockets, calling him “the most efficient basketball player in history.”
Obama’s picks sparked some debate, as he left out legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Larry Bird, and others. However, the task was tough, and the former president still assembled an incredible team, one that could challenge any lineup in history and surely define an era of its own.
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