Boston Celtics star and reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has been more vocal this season, taking full advantage of his platform to share his unfiltered thoughts. In a recent sit-down interview with legendary NBA broadcaster Ahmad Rashad, the conversation turned to inspiration from the league’s all-time greats, prompting Brown to drop his personal all-time starting five on the spot.
Brown’s picks: “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.”
Translating that into a positional lineup, Brown envisions:
- PG: Steph Curry
- SG: Michael Jordan
- SF: Kobe Bryant
- PF: LeBron James
- C: Bill Russell
The selection immediately sparked debate across the NBA community. While LeBron James and Michael Jordan are near-universal locks as the two greatest players in league history on most all-time lists, Brown’s decision to include Kobe Bryant led him to slot two shooting guards (Jordan and Bryant) into the lineup, forcing positional adjustments and drawing criticism for disrupting the “authentic” dynamic of a traditional starting five.
Yet this choice reflects a common theme among today’s stars, many of whom grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant and show him ultimate respect by making sure he’s always included in fantasy all-time lineups.
Brown’s respect for current-era legends is evident too. He has faced intense playoff battles against both LeBron James and Stephen Curry—with NBA Championships or Finals berths hanging in the balance—and came up short in those high-stakes series. Including them acknowledges their dominance, longevity, and sustained excellence over one to two decades. Brown has previously spoken about realizing Curry’s greatness firsthand during the 2022 NBA Finals (though he mentioned 2021 in past comments), and his own breakthrough—securing his first ring in 2024 as Finals MVP—has only deepened mutual admiration among the league’s elite.
Rounding out the group is the most debated pick: Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell at center. Russell’s inclusion stands out because his scoring numbers were never elite, but he remains the undisputed king of championships with an unmatched 11 rings, anchoring the Celtics’ dynasty in the league’s early eras. Critics often point to the smaller number of teams and weaker overall competition back then as factors that eased deep playoff runs, but Russell’s status as arguably the greatest defender in NBA history is rarely questioned. His leadership delivered historic success that Brown, as a current Celtics star, continues to build upon today.
Beyond on-court achievements, Brown’s advocacy for social justice and equal rights aligns deeply with Russell’s legacy. The late Celtics icon was a trailblazer for Black athletes, confronting intense racism head-on and paving the way for future generations. Brown has praised Russell’s off-court impact in the past, which likely influenced his choice over other legendary centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, or even modern standouts like Nikola Jokic.
In a league full of heated GOAT debates, Jaylen Brown’s picks blend personal heroes, hard-earned respect from battles faced, and reverence for both basketball excellence and cultural impact—making this all-time five as controversial as it is compelling.