We have seen some unbelievable talents in recent NBA history. Over the past two decades, guys like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have stood out thanks to their ability to win rings and be the face of the NBA after taking the torch from Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. MJ is regarded as the best player ever, and every player will be chasing Jordan’s ghost after his success in the league. Meanwhile, Magic’s ability as a point guard and leader was truly unprecedented. Beyond these four dominant talents, other elite superstars have dominated the game in their eras, including but not limited to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaquille O’Neal.
What if we were to place all the aforementioned players, along with a host of others, in an all-time great 3-on-3 tournament? By selecting a mix of 24 elite superstars, it is time to put forth the single greatest tournament in sports history. Which 24 players make the cut? Here is the superstar player pool based on a format of guards, forwards, and centers.
Player Pool
PG – Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas
SG – Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson
SF – LeBron James, Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Julius Erving
PF – Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Charles Barkley
C – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, David Robinson
Clearly, these 24 players will bring it on both ends of the court and will be extremely confident in their abilities to team up with each other to come out on top. We know the players, but which of them make up the 3-on-3 squads? Here are the competing teams headlined by the name of the team captain.
Competing Teams
Team Jordan: Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett
Team Bryant: Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon
Team LeBron: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Karl Malone
Team Kareem: Oscar Robertson, Dirk Nowitzki, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Team Magic: Magic Johnson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, David Robinson
Team Bird: Allen Iverson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell
Team Shaq: Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal
Team Duncan: Isiah Thomas, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain
With 8 incredible teams formed, it is time to place them in a tournament where two teams battle it out in a game of 21 until the last one stands. There will be two iconic rounds followed by the Final Round in which a legendary squad is announced. In Round 1, we will see Team Bryant take on Team Bird, with the winner facing either Team Jordan or Team Duncan. We will also see Team Shaq take on Team LeBron, as the winner takes on either Team Magic or Team Kareem. Most of this round will go down to the finest margins, and that will even be the case in Round 2. Of course, the Final Round will come down to the single best mix of players and the team captain, who will have the final say. It is time to get on with the greatest 3-on-3 tournament in NBA history!
The Tournament BracketRound 11. Team Bryant vs. Team Bird
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Bryant: Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon
Team Bird: Allen Iverson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell
This is an all-time classic. Team Bryant will have two elite scorers in Kobe and Dr. J, while Hakeem Olajuwon brings the ability down low on both ends of the court. It is hard enough to stop Kobe on the perimeter, but giving him an athletic wing player and a dominant center down low could be overkill, so Team Bird will have to compete just as well on both ends. Larry Bird has Iverson and Bill Russell by his side, so that could be possible.
Team Bryant gets out to a 5-0 start rather quickly, as a Kobe two-pointer, Erving dunk, and back-to-back Dream Shakes make it look easy so far. Larry Bird scores and creates on two straight two-pointers, making the score 5-4. From here, it is a back-and-forth. Bill Russell finishes the round with 12 rebounds and 5 blocks, including two straight blocks on Kobe and Hakeem that stopped them from winning the game 21-15. Team Bryant gets stuck on 20 points, while Team Bird have to fight their way from 15.
Larry Bird does not go down without a fight, finding Iverson for three straight mid-range shots and nailing a two-pointer before lobbing it up to Russell to make the game close. Team Bird has a chance to win it, but Larry Bird’s two-pointer rims out quite unbelievably, and Erving attacks before finding Kobe Bryant, who drains the long two to force his team to the next round. This match proves to be an all-time classic.
Result: Team Bryant vs. Team Bird 22-20
2. Team Jordan vs. Team Duncan
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Jordan: Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett
Team Duncan: Isiah Thomas, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain
Team Jordan and Team Duncan is another amazing matchup, but this one does not go down to the wire as much. In fact, the game ends 21-18 as Michael Jordan manages to score 14 points for his side, almost scoring as much as Team Duncan singlehandedly. Kevin Durant starts the game with 2 contested jumpers that go through before Jordan scores the next 5 points. With a score of 7-0, Team Duncan needs to start feeding their star, big man. Duncan answers the call, scoring 4 straight post buckets.
Isiah also starts becoming the best point guard in the matchup, lobbing it to Wilt on back-to-back possessions. Isiah also scores against Jordan and starts believing he is the best player in the round. Unbelievably, Team Duncan has a 12-7 lead. Kevin Durant heats up, scoring a two-pointer followed by a dunk over Thomas. Kevin Garnett also takes matters into his own hands, nailing a mid-range jumper and posterizing Duncan in a momentum-changing move.
With the score tied 12-12, Michael Jordan proves why he is the greatest scorer of all time. He backs down Thomas, nailing a fadeaway jumper. He then jabs and nails another jumper. Jordan also jabs, attacks, and then steps back for a contested two-pointer. In just two minutes, Michael manages to lead his side to a 16-12 advantage. Mike then assists KG for a layup, putting the game out of reach despite a valiant effort from Wilt Chamberlain.
Result: Team Jordan vs. Team Duncan 21-18
3. Team Shaq vs. Team LeBron
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Shaq: Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal
Team LeBron: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Karl Malone
Team Shaq against Team LeBron is one to watch, and this one goes down to the wire 22-20. The game is win by two, so this counts as an overtime period. Shaq starts the game off strong, going 4-4 from the field against the smaller Karl Malone. LeBron responds with two contested layups and an assist to Wade, who nails a two-pointer from the corner. The score is tied 4-4, and Karl Malone nails two jumpers in a row to give Team LeBron a 6-4 lead.
Steph gets hot and drains three straight two-pointers, earning his side a 10-6 lead. LeBron manages to get a chase-down block on Steph’s layup attempt and makes sure his side does not give possession up easily again due to Shaq’s presence down low and Curry’s marksmanship. With James leading the offense, Wade scores a layup, a jumper, and a dunk off pick-n-rolls. Malone continues with his offense, and James drains a deep two-pointer.
Team LeBron continues, building on the 12-10 lead with 4 straight points. They can’t seem to miss until a Wade two-pointer rims out, which brings the ball inside, with Shaq and Barkley punishing the defense inside. The score is tied 16-16 before Steph’s two-pointer gives his side an 18-16 lead. Shaq and Barkley stretch the lead to 20-16. Amazingly, Wade and LeBron prove to be clutch as they force a turnover before scoring 6 straight to steal a victory.
Result: Team LeBron vs. Team Shaq 22-20
4. Team Magic vs. Team Kareem
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Magic: Magic Johnson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, David Robinson
Team Kareem: Oscar Robertson, Dirk Nowitzki, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Magic Johnson’s side is complete with two elite bigs who will benefit from the point guard’s playmaking presence. No doubt, Team Magic is one of the favorites in the tournament if not, the team to beat. Oscar brings athleticism against Magic, and Dirk will aim to stretch the floor against Giannis. Of course, the battle of the bigs down low continues with The Admiral taking on The Captain. Luckily for Team Magic, Team Kareem cannot find their rhythm.
Dirk goes 5-12 from the field, Kareem is forced into double teams, and Oscar struggles to make shots consistently from the perimeter. Meanwhile, Magic puts on his leadership hat and manages an incredible 12 assists in the game, which leads to 13 points. Team Magic does a fantastic job in the pick-n-roll, as the point guards find Giannis multiple times on the alley-oop along with David Robinson down low.
Team Kareem struggles from the floor, missing shots they normally make. This creates a game that is the least close of all the matchups, 21-15. Kareem heats up with the sky hook toward the end of the game, and Dirk finally nails his first two-pointer. But Giannis’ ability to attack the rim and create shots for Robinson adds a different dynamic that the opposition does not have. Team Magic progresses to face Team LeBron in Round 2.
Result: Team Magic vs. Team Kareem 21-15
Semi-Finals1. Team Bryant vs. Team Jordan
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Bryant: Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon
Team Jordan: Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett
It is finally here: the showdown between Team Bryant and Team Jordan. This is the marquee matchup, as both shooting guards are at the top of their games and proved to be clutch performers for their sides. Team Bryant and Team Jordan go head-to-head for most of the game, and the score is tied 17-17 at one point. Both teams compete with the score tied, as there isn’t much to separate them.
But one play proves to be pivotal: Michael Jordan manages to steal the ball from Julius Erving in a post-up scenario and then creates a scoring opportunity for Kevin Durant, who nails a contested two-pointer over Kobe Bryant. Michael Jordan then has the ball, hoping to end the game because he knows that Kobe Bryant will be willing to take the shots for his side. As expected, Mike gets the double-team and cannot convert after a pass to KG just rims out.
Kobe Bryant answers with a two-pointer before he misses another game-winning two-pointer over Michael Jordan. Jordan receives a pick, comes around the corner, and decides to take on Hakeem Olajuwon on the island. Michael attacks the rim before he is pushed out by the help defense. After a hesitation in the corner, MJ lets loose a two-pointer that banks in to win the game. With smiles all around and sunken heads by Team Bryant, Jordan’s game-winner proves vital as his side goes to the Final Round.
Result: Team Jordan vs. Team Bryant 21-19
2. Team LeBron vs. Team Magic
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team LeBron: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Karl Malone
Team Magic: Magic Johnson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, David Robinson
Much like Jordan and Bryant going head-to-head, LeBron and Magic will bring their playmaking and leadership styles to the test. LeBron is the star for his team, scoring 12 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing 7 assists. Magic, meanwhile, continues his excellent playmaking by assisting on 14 points for his side. Once again, Magic’s leadership, paired with the size he has, gives his side a convincing victory.
Wade struggles from deep this time, going 0-5, and is forced to rely on inside scoring and perimeter defense. Meanwhile, Karl Malone’s pick-n-roll prowess is negated by Giannis and Robinson’s defensive IQ, so most of the burden falls on James. LeBron does very well, but he cannot handle the near-perfection of Team Magic’s offense and defensive talents.
Giannis and Robinson are efficient, only missing a combined 3 shots near the rim. The looks they get from a penetrating Magic are sublime, and they essentially lead the charge. The game ends 21-17, and Magic once again proves to be an all-time great leader and winner. The Final Round is set, as Team Jordan and Team Magic are expected to bring elite scoring against elite size in an all-time great matchup.
Result: Team Magic vs. Team LeBron 21-17
FinalsTeam Jordan vs. Team Magic
Credit: Fadeaway World
Team Jordan: Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett
Team Magic: Magic Johnson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, David Robinson
The Final Round is set, and this is the one for the ages. Unlike all the other games in the tournament, this one is not very close, quite surprisingly. Team Jordan uses their momentum, which includes a perfect record and clutch performances, to defeat Team Magic in an impressive showing, 21-13. Jordan is the star once again, leading all scorers with 13 points and tying the number of points the opposition scores in total.
Kevin Durant is the co-star, as he also heats up and drains back-to-back two-pointers to essentially seal the victory, putting his side up 20-13. Garnett’s presence as a defender negates Giannis down low, and Robinson has to pick up the slack. KG forces Giannis to take jumpers, and The Greek Freak does not answer this time. With the score 20-13, Jordan once again comes up clutch as his contested layup ends the game.
The game ends 21-13, and Jordan earns MVP honors for his three straight clutch performances. This 3-on-3 Tournament proves to be the greatest collection of NBA stars we have ever seen, and it is a shame that there could only be one winner. Taking out elite teams such as Team Duncan, Team Bryant, and Team Magic, Team Jordan proves to have the best threesome due to two elite scorers and a Defensive Player of the Year winner down low, competing on both ends of the floor and in the clutch.
Final Result: Team Jordan vs. Team Magic 21-13
MVP: Michael Jordan
Source: fadeawayworld
