Stephen Curry is one of the greatest NBA players in history. The point guard, who has spent his whole career with the Golden State Warriors, almost single-handedly changed the direction of the league with his deadly three-point shooting, with most teams now placing a major emphasis on attempts from beyond the arc.
A four-time NBA Champion and a two-time Most Valuable Player, Curry became the first-ever unanimous MVP in NBA history after claiming the award in 2016, having led the Warriors to a 73-9 season and setting a record for the most wins in a regular campaign by any NBA team.
Golden State’s dominance may now have come to an end, but that does not diminish the influence Curry had, and continues to have. A seasoned veteran of the sport, Curry’s opinions, when shared, are ones that many pay attention to, such is his stature within basketball.
Curry sat down with Dude Perfect and revealed which players would make his all-time starting five.
Point Guard – Steph Curry
Rather unsurprisingly, Curry chose to select himself as the point guard of his all-time starting five. As mentioned, Golden State’s number 30 has cemented himself as a legend with the organisation, serving as the central figure of what was the finest era in their history under the coaching leadership of Steve Kerr.
Curry’s three-point scoring is, naturally, the defining strength of his game, but the guard has shown throughout his career that such scoring is supported by other qualities, including the constant movement he makes on the floor to find better positions.
The National Basketball Association has seen dozens of stellar players over the years, but which 20 players have been the absolute best?
Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan
A player who sits near the very top in the eyes of almost everyone who follows basketball, Michael Jordan is, at worst, considered the second-best player of all time in the sport’s history. The number three pick in the 1983 draft, MJ was an instant star, and throughout the 1980s, Jordan’s extraordinary level of ability helped global interest in the NBA rise significantly.
During the 1990s, after a short retirement between 1993 and 1995, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships in as many Finals. The shooting guard, who won five Most Valuable Player awards, was the leading light in the Bulls’ best-ever era as a franchise, and despite retiring over 20 years ago, remains highly respected and frequently discussed, such was his impact as a player.
Michael Jordan Career Stats
Games Played
1.072
Points per Game
30.1
Rebounds per Game
6.2
Assists per Game
5.3
Field Goal Percentage
49.7%
Small Forward – LeBron James
LeBron James has spent over 20 years in the NBA. Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 straight out of high school, James was an immediate star and only continued to improve as the years went by, winning two straight MVP awards in 2009 and 2010.
James moved to the Miami Heat in 2010. In four years, he captured two more MVP awards alongside his first two NBA Championships. James would win his third with Cleveland, returning to the franchise in 2014, and his fourth with the Los Angeles Lakers, whom James signed for in 2018.
James’ legacy has long been secured and yet, even now, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer continues to impress and amaze.
Basketball fans have had their say, and they have ranked the 20 greatest players in NBA history.
Power Forward – Tim Duncan
“The Big Fundamental,” as his nickname would suggest, was never the most flamboyant of players, nor the most dynamic. Nevertheless, Tim Duncan is one of the NBA’s best-ever power forwards who spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs. Under Gregg Popovich’s guidance, Duncan became one of the league’s greatest defensive players.
Duncan first won an NBA Championship in 1999 as part of the “Twin Towers” alongside then-veteran David Robinson. From that point, Duncan maintained his outstanding progression and, with a supporting cast including the likes of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, won four more titles between 2003 and 2014.
A two-time MVP, Duncan retired in 2016 and shortly afterwards, saw his number 21 raised into the rafters at San Antonio, deservedly so.
Tim Duncan Career Stats
Games Played
1.392
Points per Game
19.0
Rebounds per Game
10.8
Assists per Game
3.0
Blocks per Game
2.2
Center – Shaquille O’Neal
Perhaps the most dominant big man ever to play basketball at his peak, Shaquille O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and swiftly became one of the best centers in the NBA. After four years in Florida, O’Neal moved across the country to join the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend the next eight years.
With LA, Shaq won the MVP award in the year 2000, which also marked the first of three consecutive NBA Championships with the Lakers. For all three of his title wins in yellow and purple, O’Neal was named the Finals MVP, with further accolades including regular All-Star selections.
O’Neal won his fourth and final NBA Championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat, and though he had a relatively nomadic end to his career, nothing can take away from Shaq’s pure brilliance in his younger years.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.
Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.
How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott
Alex Scott
The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.
Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”
Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.
Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
It’s widely understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a contract with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager. Once this news is officially confirmed, it won’t take long before the Portuguese coach starts pushing for some key transfers.
He is set to return to the Spanish capital for the second time in his career, having left way back in 2013, after three seasons in which he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Mourinho spent last season at Benfica, where he went unbeaten in the league, but only finished third.
With Madrid, the 63-year-old arrives at a club in chaos after a trophyless season saw Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggle to deal with the big superstars in the dressing room. Mourinho is unlikely to be concerned by the big egos in the squad. However, one of his first key transfer targets isn’t quite the usual Galactico fans might expect.
Mourinho Wants Relegated Premier League Star
One of the defining dramas of the season for Madrid last season was Aurelien Tchouameni’s dramatic clash with Fede Valverde, which saw the Uruguayan hospitalised and both men fined for their antics. If Mourinho wants to calm the dressing room, he could look to offload one.
Indeed, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho ‘has told’ Real Madrid that he would like the club to sign West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Hammers need to sell their most valuable assets this summer after being relegated, and the midfielder is of interest to a number of clubs.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the former Southampton star in the past few weeks, amid talk that any transfer could cost as much as £80m. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Fernandes.
Rodri Also Linked With Madrid Interest
It’s worth noting that even if Tchouameni stays, Dani Ceballos wants to leave and Madrid are willing to let him go. His contract expires in 2027, so an exit this summer makes sense as they could still bring in a fee for the 29-year-old.
As such, Mourinho will likely want a midfield reinforcement regardless. One other name to be linked, beyond Fernandes, is Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain international, 29, is heading into the final year of his Man City contract, and it remains to be seen if he will hang around or follow Pep Guardiola out of the exit door.
Reports claim that Mourinho is ‘very keen’ on bringing Rodri to Madrid. That said, having seen their manager depart, the Premier League club will be reluctant to lose another experienced head on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also confirming their exits this summer.
