Jaylen Brown Builds All-Time 5 Around Lakers Stars, But One Pick May Spark Debate

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown reveals his all-time starting lineup, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the silhouettes and movements of basketball players, capturing the essence of an all-time great lineup.An artistic interpretation of Jaylen Brown's all-time starting five, deconstructing the legendary players into a cubist masterpiece.Los Angeles Today

In a recent interview, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown shared his all-time starting five, which included several Lakers legends like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. Brown's lineup also featured Stephen Curry and Celtics icon Bill Russell, sparking debate around his choices.

Why it matters

Debates around the NBA's all-time greatest starting lineups are always passionate, as there are many deserving players to choose from, especially among Lakers greats. Brown's selection of four modern era stars alongside Russell highlights the evolving nature of the conversation and the respect he has for both contemporary and historical NBA icons.

The details

Brown's all-time starting five includes LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Bill Russell. He explained his reasoning, stating that James, Bryant, and Jordan were the starting point, with Curry as the point guard and Russell as the center. Brown's inclusion of Curry over traditional point guard greats like Magic Johnson may be the most debatable aspect of his lineup.

  • Brown revealed his all-time starting five during a recent interview with Ahmad Rashad.
  • Last month, Brown praised LeBron James, calling him 'arguably the best player to ever play the game.'

The players

Jaylen Brown

An All-Star guard for the Boston Celtics who recently shared his all-time NBA starting lineup in an interview.

LeBron James

A Lakers forward and four-time NBA champion who Brown considers one of the greatest players of all time.

Kobe Bryant

A Lakers legend and one of the greatest players in NBA history, often mentioned in the GOAT discussion.

Michael Jordan

Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time and a staple in all-time lineup debates.

Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors star point guard, considered by many to be the greatest shooter in NBA history.

Bill Russell

A Celtics legend and one of the most decorated champions in NBA history, with 11 titles.

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What they’re saying

“'LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant) and Michael Jordan – let's start there. Then I'll say Steph Curry and my 5? I'll say, Bill Russell.'”

— Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Guard

“'Just come with the same mentality as I have from day one. Don't let the praise or the warmth or the criticism make or break you. Just come out and be Jaylen...'”

— Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Guard

The takeaway

Jaylen Brown's all-time starting five highlights the ongoing debate around the NBA's greatest players, blending modern superstars with historical icons. His inclusion of Stephen Curry over traditional point guard greats like Magic Johnson may be the most controversial aspect, but it speaks to the evolving nature of the conversation and the respect Brown has for both contemporary and legendary talent.