Edwards selects his NBA historical starting five: includes three active players including himself, omits James

On March 8, Beijing time, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards revealed his personal picks for the NBA's all-time starting lineup in a recent interview. This list includes both universally acknowledged legendary stars and one surprising selection—himself.

The Timberwolves star detailed each position and explained his reasoning, while also discussing the basketball legends he admires most. This list pays tribute to the legends while also reflecting Edwards' confidence in his own status among the league's elite.

“I pick Stephen Curry for the point guard, Anthony Edwards for the shooting guard, Michael Jordan for the small forward. Jordan has to play the three, I have to play the two. For the power forward, I pick KD (Kevin Durant), KD is my favorite player, so I have to put him at the four. For the center, I'd probably pick Hakeem or Shaq. Well, I pick Shaq.”

Edwards first settled on the point guard position and clearly stated that, for him, only one candidate fits. He has previously called Curry the greatest point guard in history, a view shared by many young players who watched the Warriors superstar revolutionize basketball with his shooting. Curry's impact on modern basketball, especially his ability to stretch defensive coverage far beyond the three-point line, makes him one of the most influential players of the past two decades.

For the shooting guard position, Edwards made a confident choice. The 24-year-old guard indicated that this decision reshaped the entire lineup arrangement.

Because he placed himself at shooting guard, he moved Michael Jordan to small forward. Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history, having dominated the league primarily as a shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls. Edwards' adjustment keeps Jordan in the lineup while allowing himself to occupy his most familiar position. This means LeBron James did not make Edwards' historical starting five.

For the power forward spot, Edwards selected his favorite player. Kevin Durant's versatility allows him to play multiple positions, so Edwards confidently placed the former MVP at the four. Durant's career is legendary; he is one of the most unstoppable scorers in NBA history, having played for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors, winning multiple championships and MVP awards.

For the final spot in the lineup, a choice between two legendary centers: Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal. After a brief hesitation, Edwards ultimately selected O'Neal.

O'Neal's dominance in the paint made him one of the most unstoppable interior forces in NBA history. The four-time champion overwhelmed opponents' defenses with his size, strength, and athleticism during his peak years.

American media views Edwards' lineup as both a display of his confidence and a tribute to past legends. Placing himself alongside icons like Jordan, Curry, and Durant also demonstrates the necessary belief required to aspire to top-tier stardom.

Meanwhile, his selections reflect the influence of modern basketball on today's players. Curry's shooting revolution, Durant's all-around scoring prowess, and O'Neal's interior dominance represent the pinnacle of basketball across three different eras. In Edwards' view, combining these talents into one lineup would create a nearly unbeatable team in his mind.