THIS is the best offensive lineup in NBA history

Very recently I wrote an article on the best defensive lineup possible when you can choose from every player in NBA history. That lineup would have teams scoring under 70 points on a nightly basis.

It therefore makes sense to do the same but for offense. Which lineup would be the most deadly offensively if you can choose anyone from NBA history? This selection requires slightly more nuance than the defensive lineup.

On defense you do need a team structure to build your system around, but because the NBA is man to man, a good defense is about having good defensive players. A good offense is predicated on a good system and lineup balance to get good shots.

You won’t score many points if the guys you have on the floor don’t compliment each other. If there’s no floor-spacing from shooting you won’t have the threat of driving to the rim. If you don’t have the driving ability your shooters will get fewer opportunities to get a wide-open shot.

With all that said, he is my best offensive lineup from NBA history.

Point Guard – Steph Curry

It was extremely tough to choose between Curry and Magic Johnson, but Curry’s shooting ability is just too good to miss. Curry is the greatest shooter the world has ever known and it’s not even close. 

Curry has 5 of the top 10 seasons in terms of total 3-pointers made and 3 of the top 5. When he’s healthy he is a pure nightmare to guard, you have to pick him up at half-court because Curry can consistently hit 3s from 35 feet. 

Curry has career averages of 23.5 points and 6.6 assists on 47.6% from the field, 43.5% from 3 and 90.6% from the free-throw line. His presence provides so much space for his teammates because if you are ever more than an arm’s length away from him, just forget about it.

Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan

It’s Michael Jordan, the greatest scorer of all time. 

If that’s not enough to convince you then consider the driving ability of Jordan with the likes of Curry spreading the floor for him. Jordan was lightning quick, had great handles and possessed terrific strength and finishing ability. 

If you were going to foul him you had to do it hard or risk him getting the and-1 whilst embarrassing you in the process. 

Small Forward – Kevin Durant

This was another tough position to choose. You could easily go for LeBron James or Larry Bird, but I went for Durant because in my mind he is the greatest scorer in league history behind Michael Jordan. 

Durant has a career average of 27 points per game. He’s hit 38.1% of his 3s, 88.3% of his free-throws and has a shot above 50% from the field for the last 7 seasons. Durant is also the most versatile scorer we’ve ever seen. There isn’t a single place in the half-court where he can’t efficiently put up points on a consistent basis.

He gives that extra floor-space on the wing for his teammates whilst being more than capable of hitting the mid-range, driving to the rim or posting up. Let’s just hope he recovers from his Achilles injury so we can enjoy his God-like scoring talent for the next few years.

Power Forward – Dirk Nowitzki

When you talk about offensive power forwards, no one has done it better than Dirk Nowitzki. He is easily the best shooting big man of all time. He scored over 31,000 points for the Mavericks thanks to his amazing shooting ability. His patented fadeaway in the post was unstoppable for Dirk and he was quality from the rest of the floor as well.

Dirk adds even more floor spacing and provides a great option in the pick-and-pop, something that would would to perfection with Steph Curry and Michael Jordan handling the ball. Dirk shot 47.1% from the field, 38% from 3 and 87.9% from the foul line during his career.

An easy selection.

Center – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

What’s the point of all this floor-spacing if you don’t use it wisely?

Kareem had the most unstoppable move in league history; the Sky-Hook. This was an unblockable shot in the post thanks to Kareem’s 7’2” frame and 7’5” wingspan. With all the shooters I have on the floor with him, Kareem would have the entire paint to himself in which to work.

The all-time leading scorer in NBA history just had to make this list and with the players I’ve mentioned around him, Kareem would dominate any opposing defender that came in his sights.