We all have our favorite players in sports. Patrick Mahomes in football. Kobe Bryant in basketball. J.P Sears in baseball (WHO?). I’m kidding. From the three I listed, I truthfully have Kobe as my favorite. The other two? Not on top of my list, but maybe top 10-15. That’s not the point. When it comes to the NBA, most of us have five players that we would want in our dream lineup. Let me know who you guys would have in the comment section. For now, here is my dream starting five for an NBA team (call them the Nate Seed Squad, I don’t know). Here we go.

PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the game-winning shot as time expires to defeat the Houston Rockets at Chase Center on January 21, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

This is no debate. Curry has been the most dangerous shooter in the NBA for quite some time. Averaging almost 27 points a game, he’s hitting almost five threes per game out of an average of 12 attempts.

His ability to drive and hit the easy layup shows he’s not just a deep threat. But, having someone who can hit a shot from beyond the arc with ease is useful and fun to have. I don’t need him to pass (although he’s averaging almost five assists a game). Just shoot the ball and let it fly. Regardless of how far it may be, I trust Curry to lead my team as the point guard.

SG: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after making the game tying basket against the New York Knicks with one second left in regulation to send the game to overtime at American Airlines Center on December 27, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Do you think I would forget about this man? Forget about having exact positions and “OH WELL, HE CAN’T PLAY THE TWO GUARD”. Stop it, this is about having fun.

Anyways, where were we? Oh, right. Doncic has taken the NBA by storm since his arrival in 2018. He currently leads the NBA with 34 points per game and is so close to averaging a triple-double on the year (9.0 and 9.8 rebounds and assists, respectively).

Doncic’s shooting numbers have increased each season. But, his skillset and making things look effortless stand out despite not being one of the fastest players in the league.

Whether it’s hitting the clutch shot or just making winning plays, I want this guy on my team any day of the week. Two ball-handlers in Curry and Doncic? Yes, please.

SF: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Can’t forget about the G.O.A.T. The man speaks for himself, standing alone as the only player with 40,000 career points to go along with his four championships.

James can do it all. Score, assist, rebound, make outstanding blocks; he’s just a machine that refuses to slow down. He has remained relatively healthy this year, surpassing the 60-game mark for the first time in three seasons. Not only is he currently shooting over 50% for the fourth season in a row, but he’s also shooting 40% from beyond the arc.

The King has always been a playmaker, and that’s been clear this year. Averaging about eight assists per game, he’s not doing it all on his own as he trust his guys to lead the team to victory (ex: Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell).

But, when he takes the matter into his own hands, it’s game over.

He’s the King for a reason. Give me James at small forward any day of the week.

PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a score during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on May 07, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Greek Freak is a character off the court. But on it, he means business. Leading all power forward with 30.8 PPG, the 6’11” monster is worth having on the team.

Despite not being a great three-point shooter like Kevin Durant (also a PF), we need someone to drive the paint and get tough buckets inside. Antetokounmpo can do that with ease, as he is currently shooting 61% inside the arc. Add in his 11 rebounds per game, and it just shows how much of an impact he has on both ends of the court.

We can’t forget about his defense. With his size and frame, he can handle other opposing forwards without much trouble.

A player like Giannis is just a necessity to have on my dream team. From his dunks to raining threes unexpectedly to making impact blocks, there are many reasons why I want starting as my power forward.

C: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks the shot of Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“NOT JOKIC? OR EMBIID? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?”

Look, I get your concerns and questions about my decision-making. But, you cannot sit here and tell me you would not consider the 7’4″ French big man in your starting lineup. I dare you.

Wembanyama is currently averaging almost 21 points a game (fourth among centers), despite shooting just 46.4% from the field. He isn’t the greatest three-point shooter, but he’s making two of them a game, and his size allows him to shoot them despite defenders being on him (one benefit of being super tall).

But, the most exciting part about his game is defense. Along with averaging 10 rebounds a game, Wemby is averaging an insane 3.5 blocks per game and 1.3 steals per game. The man had a triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks. 10 of them. I would take that all day long.

He’s exciting, young, and tall. Even against guys like Jokic and Embiid and the other big men of the world, Wembanyama is just too fun to watch to just not have on my team. I cannot wait to see him continue to develop.

This is my dream NBA starting five. Who’s on your dream team? Let me know who (and why), and see if you can beat my team.

Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out my podcast “Backup to the Backup” on Spotify and YouTube for more sports content from me.

Images are all from Getty Images, including those in the featured image.

About Author

Nathan Nguyen

My name is Nathan Nguyen, a college student from the beautiful state of California. I cover the three major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB) for Belly Up Sports. Outside of my writing, I host the 3rd and 10 Podcast: an NFL show with a focus on the New York Giants. We are live every Monday and Thursday at 1 PM EST on YouTube. I also host the Piggin’ Out Podcast, which is live every Tuesday at 7 PM EST on the Belly Up Sports YouTube channel. Finally, I am one of the four members of the Korner Booth Podcast, and we are live every Monday and Thursday at 7 pm EST.

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