NBA Power Rankings: Counting Down the Top 20 Starting Fives in NBA History

Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been plenty of teams who are so stacked that they make fans wonder how so many great players wound up on the same squad.

You can look up and down the teams' starting lineups, but you won't find a weakness.

A stud at point guard, a scoring machine at 2-guard, two unstoppable forwards and a center who dominates the paint.

The teams have so much talent that it's almost unfair.

But which squads have rolled out the most ridiculous starting fives in league history?

Let's take a look at the top 20 starting lineups the league has ever seen.

20. 1997-98 Utah Jazz

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

21 Apr 2001: John Stockton #12 and Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after winning game one of the NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz won 88-86. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Bri

PG: John Stockton—12 points, 8.5 assists,  2.6 rebounds,  1.4 steals

One of the best point guards to ever play the game, and one of the more fun ones to watch, too.

SG: Jeff Hornacek—14.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals

Hornacek and Stockton? What a backcourt.

SF: Adam Keefe—7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists

I'll be honest—I really don't remember this guy.

PF: Karl Malone—27 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals

"The Mailman" always delivers.

C: Greg Foster—5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds

Center wasn't exactly the strongest position on this Jazz team. 

19. 1995-96 Houston Rockets

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

7 May 1997: Center Hakeem Olajuwon, forward Clyde Drexler (left) and forward Charles Barkley of the Houston Rockets stands on the court during a playoff game against the Seattle Supersonics at the Summit in Houston, Texas. The Supersonics won the game 1

PG: Kenny Smith—8.5 points, 3.6 assists

Before he was gracing our TV screens, Smith was a pretty good NBA point guard.

SG: Clyde Drexler—19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2 steals

Drexler would give you 20-5-5 night in and night out.

SF: Robert Horry—12 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks

"Big Shot Rob" did more than just shoot the rock.

PF: Chucky Brown—8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists

The least known of the group, but a solid contributor nonetheless.

C: Hakeem Olajuwon—26.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.9 blocks, 1.6 steals

"The Dream" dominated on both ends of the court like not many centers have. 

18. 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

9 Feb 1997: Seattle Supersonics forward Shawn Kemp (right) and guard Gary Payton confer during the NBA All-Star game in Cleveland, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Allsport

PG: Gary Payton—19.3 points, 7.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals

Not only was Payton a great distributor and scorer, but he was a menace on the defensive end as well.

SG: Hersey Hawkins—15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals

I nominate Hawkins to be under consideration for having one of the greatest names in NBA history.

SF: Detlef Schrempf—17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists

The same goes for Schrempf.

PF: Shawn Kemp—19.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.2 steals

Anyone have any idea what Kemp's up to these days?

C: Sam Perkins—11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal

Apparently Kemp was selfish and took all the rebounds away from Perkins.

17. 1994-95 Orlando Magic

Scott Wachter/Getty Images

4 Nov 1994: Center Shaquille O''Neal of the Orlando Magic looks on during a game against the Washington Bullets at the USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. The Bullets won the game, 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Sco

PG: Penny Hardaway—20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals

You're lying if you say you've never owned a pair of Penny Hardaways.

SG: Dennis Scott—12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists

He was deadly from beyond the arc this season, shooting .426 from downtown.

SF: Nick Anderson—15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.6 steals

An underrated player who got lost in the shadows of Hardaway, Grant and O'Neal.

PF: Horace Grant—12.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal

The man with the goofy glasses, Grant was a key contributor to Orlando's success.

C: Shaquille O'Neal—29.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 blocks

One word describes Shaq: dominant.

16. 2008-09 Phoenix Suns

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on Febr

PG: Steve Nash—15.7 points, 9.7 assists, 3 rebounds

A former two-time MVP and one of the greatest point guards of all time.

SG: Jason Richardson—16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals

This team was a lot better on paper than it was in person.

SF: Grant Hill—12 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals

If Nash, Hill and Shaq were a bit younger, the Suns would have been insanely good.

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire—21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 blocks

Amar'e at the 4 and Shaq at the 5? Sounds damn near unstoppable.

C: Shaquille O'Neal—17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks

"The Big Shaqtus" wasn't in the desert long enough for Phoenix to have much success.

15. 2009-10 L.A. Lakers

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24, Ron Artest #15, Lamar Odom #7, Pau Gasol #16 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch from the bench during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 20

PG: Derek Fisher—7.5 points, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals

Stats don't really cover Fisher's contributions to the Lakers.

SG: Kobe Bryant—27 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals

The second-greatest shooting guard of all time.

SF: Ron Artest—11 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.4 steals

A defender first and foremost, Artest helped L.A. win a title in his first season as a Laker.

PF: Pau Gasol—18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 blocks

I still can't get over that Kwame Brown trade. Seriously, Memphis?

C: Andrew Bynum—15 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 57.0 field-goal percentage

When Bynum's playing well, the Lakers are the toughest team to defend inside the paint.

14. 2010-11 Miami Heat

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 02: LeBron James #6, Chris Bosh #1 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat walk onto the loor after a timeout while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User ex

PG: Carlos Arroyo—5.6 points, 2 assists, 1.6 rebounds

Who would have ever expected to see Arroyo on this list?

SG: Dwyane Wade—25.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals

Outside of Kobe Bryant, the league's most un-guardable shooting guard.

SF: LeBron James—26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.6 steals

Like him or not, he's the most complete player in the NBA.

PF: Chris Bosh—19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Not bad for a third option, huh?

C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas—5.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1 block

I had to put some center here, right? 

13. 1967-68 Philadelphia 76ers

PG: Wali Jones—12.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds

Not really a true point guard, but this is where we'll slot him.

SG: Hal Greer—24 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists 

A guard-forward 'tweener who, as you can tell, contributed in multiple areas.

SF: Chet Walker—17.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists

He was a hell of a player, even though he was the team's third option at best.

PF: Billy Cunningham—18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists

There weren't many rebounds to go around when playing this team.

C: Wilt Chamberlain—24.3 points, 23.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists

Are those numbers even serious? That's insane. 

12. 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

1985: Moses Malone #2 (left) and Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers sit on the bench during the 1985-1986 NBA season. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

PG: Maurice Cheeks—12.5 points, 6.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals

Without a doubt, Cheeks was a much better player than coach.

SG: Andrew Toney—19.7 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds

Not to be confused with boxer James Toney.

SF: Julius Erving—21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.6 steals

"Dr. J" is synonymous with the 76ers.

PF: Marc Iavaroni—5.1 points, 4.1 rebounds

He really kills Philadelphia's chances of being higher on this list.

C: Moses Malone—24.5 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.1 steals

This guy could have parted the Red Sea. 

11. 1991-92 Detroit Pistons

PG: Isiah Thomas—18.5 points, 7.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals

One of those guys whose playing career has been overshadowed by a less-than-stellar post-NBA career.

SG: Joe Dumars—19.9 points, 4.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals

Another one of Detroit's "Bad Boys," he's still with the Pistons as the President of Basketball Operations.

SF: Orlando Woolridge—14 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists

The forgotten piece to the Pistons' success in the early '90s.

PF: Dennis Rodman—9.8 points, 18.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists

18.7 rebounds? I guess those were his pre-wedding dress days.

C: Bill Laimbeer—9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2 assists

After his playing days were over, Laimbeer wound up as the coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock, but is now an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

10. 1989-90 Portland Trail Blazers

Ken Levine/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - 1990: Jerome Kersey #25, Terry Porter #30, and Clyde Drexler #22 of the Portland Trail Blazers walk during the 1989-1990 NBA season game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ken Levine/Getty Images)

PG: Terry Porter—17.6 points, 9.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals

Those stats look quite similar to one of the best point guards' in the game today, Chris Paul.

SG: Clyde Drexler—23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2 steals

"The Glide" was more than just a dunker.

SF: Jerome Kersey—16 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals

Hard to imagine how all these guys could be guarded.

PF: Buck Williams—13.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 54.8 field-goal percentage

Portland had to lead the league in rebounding this year, right?

C: Kevin Duckworth—16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists

So Portland's center averaged fewer rebounds than three other starters? That's weird.

9. 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 15: Tim Duncan #21 and David Robinson #50 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate after winning Game six of the 2003 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 88-77 a

PG: Tony Parker—15.5 points, 5.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals

This was just Parker's second NBA season, but it was the one that really put him on the map, as he helped lead the Spurs to an NBA title.

SG: Stephen Jackson—11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals

Parker and Jackson? I'll take that backcourt any day, as long as Jackson's head's on straight.

By the way, the Spurs had Manu Ginobili as the backup 2-guard.

SF: Bruce Bowen—7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals

Primarily used for two purposes: shooting threes and playing defense.

PF: Tim Duncan—23.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.9 blocks

Though he may be as exciting as vanilla ice cream, he also may be the greatest power forward of all time.

C: David Robinson—8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks

I definitely approve of any team that has Duncan lining up next to "The Admiral." 

8. 1973-74 New York Knicks

PG: Walt Frazier—20.5 points, 6.9 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 2 steals

Frazier played a whopping 41.7 minutes per game and shot .472 from the field.

SG: Earl Monroe—14 points, 3 rebounds, 2.7 assists

Monroe included, every starter for this squad is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

SF: Bill Bradley—14 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3 assists

Maybe only the third- or fourth-best player on the team, which is really saying something.

PF: Dave DeBusschere—18.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists

I can't pronounce his name, but I can say with confidence that he was a heck of a basketball player.

C: Willis Reed—11.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks

What you talkin' bout, Willis? 

7. 2007-08 Boston Celtics

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

BOSTON - MAY 28: (L-R) Paul Pierce #34, Ray Allen #20, Kevin Garnett #5 and Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics look on against the Orlando Magic in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in B

PG: Rajon Rondo—10.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals

Without Rondo, would the Celtics have been as good as they were? Probably not.

SG: Ray Allen—17.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals

One of—if not the—greatest pure shooters in NBA history, Allen still drains his threes today.

SF: Paul Pierce—19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals

The Finals MVP, Pierce was a monster all season long.

PF: Kevin Garnett—18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks

As you can see, Garnett did a little bit of everything in his first season as a Celtic.

C: Kendrick Perkins—6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

The supposed "weakest link" of this Celtics team, Perkins did pretty much exactly what was expected of him.  

6. 1996-97 Chicago Bulls

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

20 Apr 1996: Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan and forward Scottie Pippen look on duirng a game against the Indiana Pacers played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Pacers won the game, 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

PG: Ron Harper—6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals

Somebody has to be in this point guard spot.

SG: Michael Jordan—29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals

The greatest player in NBA history.

SF: Scottie Pippen—20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.9 steals

Pippen is one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History for a reason, even if he was always "Robin" in Chicago.

PF: Dennis Rodman—5.7 points, 16.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists

No one cleaned up the glass quite like Rodman did in Chicago.

C: Luc Longley—9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 blocks

I used to love watching this guy play for some reason. He fit his role well. 

5. 2003-04 L.A. Lakers

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - JUNE 6: Gary Payton #20, Kareem Rush #21, Karl Malone #11 and Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court in Game 1 of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons on June 6, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, C

PG: Gary Payton—14.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals

"The Glove" still produced despite being on the tail end of his career.

SG: Kobe Bryant—24 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.7 steals

Even with a team stacked with future Hall of Famers, Kobe led the Lakers in scoring.

SF: Devean George—7.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steal

George lucked out by getting to play on this team.

PF: Karl Malone—13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals

One of the greatest power forwards of all time, though this was his last NBA season.

C: Shaquille O'Neal—21.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.5 blocks, 58.4 field-goal percentage

Undoubtedly the game's most dominant center.

4. 1962-63 Boston Celtics

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 1: NBA Hall of Famer and Boston Celtic legend Bill Russell watches the play from the USC Trojans sideline during the game against the UCLA Bruins on December 1, 2007 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

PG: Bob Cousy—13.2 points, 6.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds

A six-time NBA Champion, Cousy was one of—if not the—league's best point guards in the late '50s and early '60s.

SG: John Havlicek—14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Hard to imagine how good this backcourt was.

SF: Sam Jones—19.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists

An underrated small forward, Jones led this Celtics team in scoring.

PF: Tom Heinsohn—18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Hardly anyone remembers the name "Heinsohn" when thinking of the Celtic greats.

C: Bill Russell—16.8 points, 23.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists

I think Kevin Love is about as close as we'll get to seeing 23.6 rebounds per game again.

3. 1969-70 L.A. Lakers

PG: Jerry West—26.8 points, 6.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds

I mean, this man's silhouette is actually on the NBA logo. That's impressive. 

SG: Happy Hairston—19 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Not really a shooting guard, but a great name nonetheless.

SF: Elgin Baylor—21.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists

Kobe Bryant has said he patterns his game after Baylor's, which is probably a good idea.

PF: John Tresvant—19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists

With five Lakers averaging at least 19 points, I guess the game was a little different back then, huh?

C: Wilt Chamberlain—23.4 points, 15.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Seriously, who stopped this team? 

2. 1986-87 Boston Celtics

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

1990: Center Robert Parish and forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics walk down the court during a game. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

PG: Dennis Johnson—13.4 points, 7.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals

A five-time NBA All-Star and a one-time NBA Finals MVP, Johnson was quite the distributor for the Celtics.

SG: Danny Ainge—14.8 points, 5.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals

Boston got a little bit of everything from Ainge, who was one of five Celtics to average at least 13 points this season.

SF: Larry Bird—28.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks

If you think LeBron James' current stats are impressive, just look at Bird's.

PF: Robert Parish—17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 blocks

Parish is a nine-time All-Star and a Hall of Famer for a reason.

C: Kevin McHale—26.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.2 blocks

It's hard to imagine playing against a team with three players who average at least nine rebounds. 

1. 1987-88 L.A. Lakers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - 1988: Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, James Worthy #42 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddle before an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1988. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

PG: Magic Johnson—19.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals

Ah, the perks of being a 6'8" point guard.

SG: Byron Scott—21.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals

I bet Scott is wishing he could suit up and play for the Cavaliers right about now.

SF: James Worthy—19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals

Pardon the cliche pun, but Worthy was certainly worth a lot to the Lakers this season.

PF: A.C. Green—11.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals

The forgotten player of this starting five, Green was a beast on the boards.

C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—14.6 points, 6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks

If Kareem wasn't 40 years old this season, I'm not sure this team would even be legal.