Which lineup of NBA legends past and present will reign supreme in this list determined by the best to ever wear certain jersey numbers?
Throughout NBA history, there have been certain NBA players who have made things such as jersey numbers so iconic they will never be associated with any other player for as long as the league continues. The number six is retired league-wide after the passing of its greatest bearer, Bill Russell. The number 23 is so iconic thanks to Michael Jordan that even non-basketball fans know what it represents. The numbers eight and 24 will forever be recognized as Kobe Bryant’s although they have been worn by numerous players over time.
Not long ago, we talked about the greatest active NBA players to wear every number. Today, we take it a step further. Instead of one player per jersey number, we have decided to create the best possible lineups of players who wore the same number throughout their careers. These will not be your traditional lineups with two guards, two forwards, and a center, but rather the five greatest players to ever don that number at any point in their careers.
In order to keep the lineups fair and reasonable, there will be no repeats of players wearing different numbers. For example, LeBron James has worn both number six and number 23 in his career. For this list, he will only be used for one of those numbers rather than both. Now that the rules are out of the way, let’s get into the list.
These are the 10 greatest lineups of all time by jersey number.
10. Number 10
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Maurice Cheeks, G Tim Hardaway, G Walt Frazier, F Bob Love, F Dennis Rodman
It feels only right that we kick off our top 10 with the number 10 and the versatile lineup it presents to us. With three guards and two forwards, this lineup lacks a bit in size but certainly has the s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 and basketball IQ to make up for it.
Let’s start with the three guards who will take the court for the number 10 lineup. First, we have two of the best defensive guards of yesteryear, Maurice Cheeks and Walt Frazier. Between them, they have 12 All-Defensive Team selections which will bode well for their effort on that side of the ball. Frazier also adds an offensive element with his 20.0 points per game plus at his peak. The guards are then rounded out by one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history, Tim Hardaway who will no doubt initiate the offense and get things rolling for this lineup.
Forward Bob Love joins this lineup for his time with the Chicago Bulls where he averaged over 25.0 points per game at his peak. Love and Frazier will certainly serve as the main offensive options for the number 10’s lineup when they hit the court. This lineup will be rounded out by Dennis Rodman from his time with the Pistons and Spurs when he was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and rebounding champion. While their lineup will be no pushover, there are certainly ones who present far more issues for their opponents in terms of size and scoring ability but few who can match up with their defensive ability.
9. Number 44
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Pete Maravich, G Jerry West, G George Gervin, G Paul Westphal, C Dan Issel
The lineup coming in at eighth on our list comes with a ton of offensive firepower. Once again, we have four guards anchored by one center in the middle who can hold down the fort. This team is so stacked offensively, that they can average 130-140 points per game as a team.
This all starts with the star-studded backcourt of Pete Maravich and Jerry West. Given the creativity and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 of both of these players, it will be hard for opponents to slow them down at the point of attack. Maravich will want to get the team out and running where he is virtually unstoppable in the open court. West adds a perimeter shooter to the bunch as well as an exceptional defender. Joining these two will be George Gervin who is a former scoring champion and one of the most talented scorers in NBA history.
Paul Westphal is no clutch either with his 20.0 to 25.0 points per game scoring in his career with the Suns that will only add to the offensive output brought out by this loaded lineup. Capping it all off was the anchor for one of the most explosive offenses ever, Dan Issel. Although their defense may be lacking a bit, this team can hang and outscore any other lineup on our list, including the lineups that rank more toward the top.
8. Number 22
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Andrew Toney, G Clyde Drexler, F Elgin Baylor, F Larry Nance, C Dave DeBusschere
For the first time on our list is a traditional lineup with the number 22. This lineup gives us the whole package with defense, playmaking, scoring, and rebounding and is definitely the seventh-best lineup we have created using jersey numbers.
Andrew Toney had a short-lived career but one that was highlighted by his ability to score and distribute the basketball. He was also one heck of a defender who often had his opponents in a proverbial chokehold on that side of the ball. Clyde Drexler is one of the greatest shooting guards ever who was a menace on both offense and defense. He will provide scoring and great off-ball defense to hold down this lineup.
This team will be centered around Drexler and forward Elgin Baylor who is also one of the great two-way players in NBA history. He also gives the number 22 a rebounding element from the small forward that will be a huge advantage down the line. This lineup is capped off by athletic forward Larry Nance and his defensive abilities. Dave Debusschere provides a playmaking element from center that will be a massive advantage as well as his ability to knock down mid-range jumpers to add yet another weapon to their already-loaded offense.
7. Number 3
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Chris Paul, G Allen Iverson, G Dwyane Wade, G Dale Ellis, C Ben Wallace
The number three has been made iconic by a handful of players in NBA history and they all come together to form one of the greatest jersey number lineups of all time. Despite having four guards, this team has an all-time great center who anchors the defense as well and opponents will have their hands full no doubt.
Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and Dwayne Wade are about as talented as a first three that we have on our list. Paul is among the best floor generals in NBA history as a willing and talented playmaker and shot-maker when he needs to be. Allen Iverson’s scoring ability is legendary mixed with his ability to handle the ball and confuse defenders. Wade is one of the best two-way guards that has ever played the game and a clutch performer when the pressure is on. These three have already made this lineup slightly better than number 10’s.
Then we add in a three-point component with former Fadeaway World guest and the first player to ever hit 1,000 three-pointers in his career, Dale Ellis. With an outside threat like Ellis, the only thing missing is an anchor in the middle. For that, we have placed four-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace. With all of the offensive firepower that this team has, Wallace can focus solely on his rebounding and defensive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, making this a dangerous lineup from top to bottom.
6. Number 2
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Kyrie Irving, G Mitch Richmond, F Alex English, F Kawhi Leonard, C Moses Malone
The lineup for the number 2 is incredibly strong on both sides of the ball with a large case for being in the top five. This lineup features two all-time great offensive guards, two small forwards who were elite on both sides of the ball, and one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
In the backcourt, we have the best ball-handler in NBA history and an elite finisher at the rim in Kyrie Irving. In Cleveland, Irving was an NBA champion and perennial All-Star with over 20.0 points and 5.5 assists per game. He joins forces with one of the players who scored the most points in the entire 1990s. Mitch Richmond made six straight All-Star games with the Kings from 1993 to 1998 and averaged 23.5 points per game during that stretch.
The number two lineup also features former scoring champion and the leading scorer of the 1980s, Alex English. Having three players who can score the basketball at the rate of this lineup already makes it one of the most offensively gifted on our list. Kawhi Leonard provides some much-needed two-way punch to our lineup as well and he will give this offensively stacked lineup an edge on defense as well. Then, there is Moses Malone, a former three-time MVP who was as elite of a rebounder and defender as anyone at the position in NBA history. The lineup for number two will be tough to top but they fall in the middle of the pack as far as our list goes.
5. Number 21
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Dave Bing, F Dominique Wilkins, F LaMarcus Aldridge, F Kevin Garnett, F Tim Duncan
The next lineup on our list comes from the number 21 to kick things off in the top five. This lineup features two of the greatest power forwards in league history, a human highlight reel, and two of the more underrated players in NBA history at their respective positions.
Dave Bing is a Hall of Fame point guard who averaged over 20.0 points and 7.0 assists per game at his peak. Bing brings a unique scoring and playmaking option to the backcourt that also features Dominique Wilkins. The former scoring champion for the Atlanta Hawks is going to be this lineup’s main perimeter offensive option and their go-to player on fast breaks led By Bing, capable of 30-35 points on any given night.
The lineup does not get any weaker as we transition to their frontcourt. Number 21 forms a talented two-way wall with the combination of LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan. Garnett and Duncan give this team the best defensive duo we have seen so far but also a versatile and methodical offensively gifted duo. Garnett will be more of a post scorer while LaMarcus Aldridge can spread the floor a bit more and be effective as both a shooter and passer as one of the best mid-range shooters there are. Duncan’s addition to this team puts them over the top for the top five with an argument for the top three.
4. Number 32
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Magic Johnson, G Richard Hamilton, F Kevin McHale, F Karl Malone, C Bill Walton
The lineup for number 32 presents numerous difficulties for any team who has the misfortune of opposing them but the main advantage they hold is their size. The greatest point guard in NBA history is joined by a scoring machine from the shooting guard position, two tremendously s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed power forwards, and a center who was well on his way to being the greatest ever before injury struck him down early in his career.
Magic Johnson leads the way for this lineup as the greatest passer and playmaker of the last 40 years of basketball. Johnson will lead a team looking to push the pace with mid-range maestro Richard Hamilton sharing the backcourt. After Johnson and Hamilton, the real talent begins to shine through with Kevin McHale and Karl Malone able to pick apart defenses with their craft footwork and rugged style of play wearing down opposing big men.
At center, we have the version of Bill Walton before the foot injuries. Walton was an MVP and Finals MVP shutting down the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with his defensive play while averaging over 18.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. With Magic calling the shots and McHale, Malone, and Walton making a dangerous scorer like Hamilton an afterthought, this is definitely the third-most dangerous lineup we can create using jersey numbers.
3. Number 33
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: F Grant Hill, F Scottie Pippen, F Larry Bird, C Patrick Ewing, C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The next two lineups on our list can almost flip a coin for the number-one spot. They each present a list of problems in different ways for opponents challenging them on the court. The number 33 is going to be run by two point forwards, an all-around 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er from Boston, and the greatest center in NBA history. Oh, and another top 10 center in league history as well.
Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen pioneered the term point forwards during the 1990s. Hill was a much more talented offensive player with great handles, athleticism, and a knack for scoring in any situation presented to him. Scottie Pippen is one of the greatest defenders in NBA history on the perimeter and a playmaker on offense who has no problem running the fast break. With their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 and size, these two in the backcourt is a dangerous combination.
This brings us to the frontcourt of three-time MVP and three-time NBA champion Larry Bird, Perennial All-Star Patrick Ewing, and the former all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bird and Abdul-Jabbar will be the stars of the show here, presenting the complete package at two different positions. You know a lineup is strong when Patrick Ewing is a third or fourth option on the offensive side of the ball. You may look at this lineup and think there is no way there is any greater. Well, there is.
2. Number 23
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: G Michael Jordan, G Jimmy Butler, F LeBron James, F Draymond Green, F Anthony Davis
Net up at number four on our list is one of the most iconic numbers not just in NBA history but in all of sports history. The number 23 was first made famous by the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan who led the Bulls to six NBA championships by way of two three-peats in the 1990s. The legacy of the number was carried on by LeBron James who put forth one of the greatest careers ever as well while wearing 23, winning two of his four NBA championships in the number.
These two GOATs lead this team and will be incredibly hard to beat from a lineup standpoint when you factor in their other teammates. Jimmy Butler from his time with the Timberwolves and 76ers joins Jordan in the backcourt as a solid two-ay addition. Draymond Green and Anthony Davis present a versatile defensive frontcourt that will be able to handle almost every other lineup’s opposing frontcourt.
These three in addition to the two greatest players in NBA history almost make this the greatest lineup we can put together for any jersey number, but even with the GOATs, it falls short of the top-three.
1. Number 34
Credit: Fadeaway World
Lineup: F Paul Pierce, F Charles Barkley, F Giannis Antetokounmpo, C Hakeem Olajuwon, C Shaquille O’Neal
The lineup presented by the number 34 is far and away the greatest lineup that can be created using any jersey number in NBA history. Combined in this lineup, we have eight NBA championships, seven Finals MVP awards, five MVP awards, and four Defensive Player of the Year awards between all five positions on the court.
Paul Pierce and Charles Barkley get things started in this lineup. Pierce is a clutch player with great pressure on defense in isolation situations and a knack for knocking down big shots in clutch moments. Barkley is one of the game’s greatest rebounders as well with the ability to pour in buckets on offense as well. The frontcourt of this team is absolutely what puts them over the top as number one.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal are arguably the three most dominant players of their time at their respective positions. Hakeem Olajuwon ruled the 1990s with his elite two-way play and took home an MVP award, two championships, and two Finals MVP awards while becoming the NBA’s greatest defender ever. Shaq had one of the most dominant peaks in NBA history, leading the Lakers to a three-peat from 200 through 2002 and tormenting opposing centers, brushing them off like flies.
Giannis Antetokounmpo adds another element to this lineup as an underrated playmaker, fast-break threat, interior defender, and elite finisher down the lane and at the rim. There has never been a front line of this magnitude to ever hit a basketball court on the NBA level, and it makes the number 34 the greatest lineup of NBA players by jersey number that there is.
