Anthony Edwards Names His All-Time Starting 5, Snubs NBA Legend LeBron James

The Timberwolves star left off James in favor of Curry, Jordan, Durant and Shaq in his dream lineup.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards revealed his all-time starting five, which surprisingly omitted NBA icon LeBron James. Instead, Edwards selected a lineup featuring Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Shaquille O'Neal. The exclusion of James, who is often mentioned as one of the two greatest players of all time alongside Jordan, has sparked debate among fans and analysts.

Why it matters

Edwards' decision to leave off James from his dream starting lineup is noteworthy, as James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. The snub could signal Edwards' opinion on the longstanding Jordan vs. James debate, and it will likely add extra intrigue to the upcoming matchup between Edwards' Timberwolves and James' Lakers.

The details

In an interview, Edwards listed his all-time starting five as: Stephen Curry at point guard, Anthony Edwards at shooting guard, Michael Jordan at small forward, Kevin Durant at power forward, and Shaquille O'Neal at center. The exclusion of James, who is consistently mentioned as one of the two greatest players ever alongside Jordan, has caused a stir among fans and analysts. Edwards has previously stated that Durant was his childhood hero and remains his favorite player, which could explain the decision to include Durant over James.

  • Edwards revealed his all-time starting five in a recent interview.

The players

Anthony Edwards

A star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves who is known for his highlight dunks and charismatic personality.

LeBron James

A legendary NBA player who is widely considered one of the greatest of all time, alongside Michael Jordan.

Stephen Curry

A star point guard for the Golden State Warriors and one of the best shooters in NBA history.

Michael Jordan

Widely regarded as one of the two greatest NBA players of all time, alongside LeBron James.

Kevin Durant

A star forward who is one of the most skilled and versatile players in the NBA.

Shaquille O'Neal

A dominant center who was one of the most physically imposing players in NBA history, winning four championships.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm going Steph Curry at the one, Anthony Edwards at the two, I'm going Mike Jordan at the three. At my four, I got to put, KD my favorite player, I got to put KD at the four. I'mma go with Shaq.”

— Anthony Edwards

What’s next

Edwards and the Timberwolves are set to face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in their next game, so the snub of James from Edwards' dream lineup could add extra intrigue and excitement to the matchup.

The takeaway

Anthony Edwards' decision to exclude LeBron James from his all-time starting five has sparked debate about James' true impact and legacy in the NBA. While Edwards has praised James in the past, his preference for players like Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant over the Lakers star signals that the young Timberwolves star may have a clear opinion on the longstanding Jordan vs. James debate.