PHOENIX – Every generation believes it watched basketball at its highest level. Devin Booker’s all-time starting five proves that even NBA superstars are no exception. When Booker selected Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Shaquille O’Neal as his greatest starting five ever, the conversation after a while shifted from who made the list to who didn’t. Fans quickly noticed he left off some pretty big names: Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.
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Jan 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Booker’s all-time starting five sparks debates:
Devin Booker was asked to name his all-time NBA starting 5:
PG: Steph Curry
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Lebron James
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Shaquille O’NealThoughts?
(Via, TT/chickenwrapcharge) pic.twitter.com/Xuk2M9lKjy
— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) August 3, 2026
For many fans, those omissions are impossible to justify. But Booker’s list isn’t necessarily about disrespecting history. It’s about perspective. Booker grew up watching Kobe redefine scoring artistry, LeBron dominate every phase of the game, Curry revolutionize shooting, and Durant become one of basketball’s most unstoppable offensive weapons. Those players shaped the game Booker plays today. They weren’t legends from documentaries; they were the standard he chased while playing alongside them in the NBA and Team USA.
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; United States guard Devin Booker (15) and shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and assistant coach Tyronn Lue look on in the second half against Brazil in a men’s basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan’s six championships, Kareem’s six MVP awards, and decades of historical dominance remain impossible to ignore. Resume still matters when discussing all-time greatness. But Booker wasn’t building the most decorated roster. He was revealing the players he believes represent basketball at its absolute peak. That’s why his list sparked such passionate debate.
Mar 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) slap hands against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
In the end, the real story isn’t whether Booker forgot Michael Jordan. It’s that today’s NBA stars increasingly believe the modern era has produced the highest level of basketball ever played. Whether fans agree or disagree, that mindset shows how every generation rewrites the definition of greatness.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
