Michael Jordan and LeBron James are two of the best basketball players in history. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shaquille O’Neal are two of the best basketball players in recent memory. This comparison is a little more difficult than most, but these teams will be compared to determine who is better.
The giannis antetokounmpo hands is a classic matchup of two NBA legends. Michael Jordan and LeBron James are considered the greatest players to ever play basketball, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shaquille O’Neal are currently the best players in their respective positions.
Everyone has a favorite number to wear while playing. It typically has emotional significance, or the number is a tale in and of itself for historical reasons. When it comes to the NBA’s history, two numbers are linked with excellence. Nos. 23 and 34 are among them.
With these statistics, putting together a starting lineup is doable. Each group has enough ability to form a superteam. This is what a squad made entirely of players wearing these jerseys might look like in an other world. Who would come out on top in this competition?
LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Anthony Davis make up the No. 23 team.
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal make up Team 34.
LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce at point guard
LeBron would be compelled to play as the team’s point guard in this scenario. It wouldn’t be asking too much of him, given that he led the league in assists last season. He has the ability to be the primary ball handler and create opportunities for the rest of the squad. Last year, the Lakers demonstrated how offense can be created by players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope when LeBron handles the ball. Who knows what could come out of the likes of this supporting ensemble.
Paul Pierce, another small forward, would be expected to run the point for Team No. 34. Pierce had a lot of opportunities to bring the ball up during his playing days in Boston. Pierce averaged at least 4.0 assists per game over eight seasons, including a career-high 5.1. Both players would be able to score, rebound, and pass at a high level.
Michael Jordan vs. Ray Allen at Shooting Guard
What else can be said about Michael Jordan? He is a six-time Finals MVP who has 10 times led the NBA in scoring. He was also a nine-time First-Team All-Defensive selection. At the shooting guard position, it doesn’t get much better than this.
This contest has the feel of Michael Jordan vs. Reggie Miller. During the 1990s, as well as in the playoffs, the two faced off against one other. Miller was regarded as the best outside shooter of all time until Allen. Allen owns the record for most three-point field goals made in a career. While Jordan is a terrific scorer, Allen has the ability to match Jordan’s shot for shot.
Jimmy Butler vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo at Small Forward
Butler can play his natural position of small forward now that LeBron is handling the point. With all of the offensive firepower on the squad, Butler would be able to concentrate on Pierce or Allen’s defense. Butler is a team player who could do the grunt work for Team No. 23, such as rebounding and defense.
On the other hand, Giannis can go up to small forward now that the club has two post guys. Because Giannis can both run the floor and shoot from beyond the arc, going “small” would have no negative impact on Team No. 34. Furthermore, the two-time MVP would be able to make more moves to the hoop.
Draymond Green vs. Hakeem Olajuwon, Power Forward
When facing the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon, Green would have to be the team’s defensive specialist. Green would be delighted to take on the job. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year is no stranger to defending opposing big men. An enforcer is a member of every team. Jordan possessed Dennis Rodman, while LeBron possessed Chris Andersen. Green would be the team’s ideal “glue man.”
In the case of Team No. 34, Olajuwon is one of the team’s two twin towers. In any case, Green would have a difficult opponent in Olajuwon. Green has a lifetime average of 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds, while the two-time NBA Finals MVP has a career average of 21.8 points and 11.1 rebounds.
Anthony Davis vs. Shaquille O’Neal in the middle.
This would be a highlight reel of defensive play. Davis is a previous Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, and Shaq is one of the game’s largest human beings. In addition to their defensive prowess, their attack on the inside would be as entertaining to watch. While Shaq has the edge in terms of size, Davis is a more flexible and faster player.
In the contemporary age, Davis has developed an outside shot, but he would still be obliged to assist in the inside. Shaq has built a career out of dunks underneath the hoop. Stopping the three-time Finals MVP would be a significant task for Team No. 23.
Advantages of Team No. 23
The fact that the best and second-greatest players of all time are on the same squad is an obvious advantage. It’s difficult to believe that LeBron and Jordan would ever lose together on the same team. When LeBron and Davis were healthy, we witnessed how well they played together in Los Angeles. The pairing of LeBron and Jordan would be reminiscent of the “Showtime Lakers.”
Advantages of Team No. 34
Giannis, Olajuwon, and Shaq together would be a tough task for Team No. 23 to overcome. That’s the equivalent of five NBA Finals MVPs’ worth of resume piled under the basket. With all three on the floor at the same moment, rebounding would be difficult for Team No. 23.
Who Do You Think Would Win?
While Team No. 34 would have three players with close to 15 rebounds by the conclusion of the game, you can’t beat Jordan and LeBron, who have a combined 10 NBA Finals MVPs. These are two of the best basketball players of all time. They have the ability to carry just about any supporting cast to victory, and they would do it in this matchup as well.
Outside of LeBron and MJ, this team’s defensive stature would make scoring difficult for Team No. 34. Green won Defensive Player of the Year and has been named to the All-Defensive Team five times, while Butler has been named to the All-Defensive Team five times. Davis has previously finished second in the DPOY voting. There are almost three DPOY hopefuls on the squad as a whole.
Despite possessing two of the best defensive players in the world in Giannis and Olajuwon, Giannis and Olajuwon alone would not be able to stop Team No. 23. This unit’s offensive output is just too excellent. Not to add, with Giannis and Olajuwon as their two greatest offensive players, Team No. 34 would struggle to score outside of five feet from the hoop.
In the end, Team No. 23 would win by more than 20 points against Team No. 34. The score would be in the range of 105-82. Jordan and LeBron would score 75 points combined. Green would record a triple-double and smother Giannis on the defensive end. Olajuwon would lead all scorers with 40 points, but Jordan would once again get the last laugh on his former draft classmate. is
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