“Where’s Kobe???” – Fans in SPLITS as former President Barack Obama names his elite starting five
Former President Barack Obama has joined the trend of listing their elite starting all-time five basketball players.
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Barack Obama’s starting five has caused a frenzy on social media
The trend of picking one’s starting five continued when former President Barack Obama selected his all-time NBA starting five with great care. He began with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, and also chose Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, where he envisioned him in a point forward role.
However, Barack Obama still wanted a natural point guard, and he opted for Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry. To round out his frontcourt, he then selected Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and Houston Rockets’ Hakeem Olajuwon.
For basketball fans, the inclusion of Olajuwon was the most surprising choice, as Obama believed the legendary center would thrive in today’s NBA. Olajuwon, who holds the honor of being a two-time NBA Finals MVP, averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game during his active days.
From one basketball fan to the next, I hope you enjoy @HGMedia's docuseries – Starting 5 – which is streaming now on @Netflix.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 13, 2024
And if you were ever wondering which players I'd have in my starting five – take a look! pic.twitter.com/Vet3Zz68Fr
Sadly, picking The Dream Team meant he had to leave out other legendary centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Bill Russell. While Olajuwon’s inclusion might stir debate, the other selections—Jordan, James, Curry, and Durant—are far less controversial.
Social media reacts to Barack Obama’s starting five
It’s fair to say that this week has been a busy week for the former president as he has had to deal with backlash for his speech to Black voters ahead of the US presidential elections. Now he has been caught in another storm in a different world entirely, by his own choice for an NBA elite starting five.
And although the list is his personal opinion, it has still stocked lots of flames on social media. One user on X who didn’t agree to his list wrote, “Where’s Kobe???”
Where's Kobe???
— Jaba Jay (@habsalone) October 13, 2024
Check out what more fans had to say on social media:
Obama puts Hakeem as the center in his all-time starting 5. Says his game would translate to today.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 13, 2024
I’d have to agree. Shaq and Wilt were arguably more dominant offensively, but Dream could have also given you defensive versatility. https://t.co/pCKRE90aeW
That’s a great team. Almost perfect one, it could suffer on the defensive end though.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) October 13, 2024
No Scottie Pippen?!
— Art Candee ?? (@ArtCandee) October 13, 2024
No Kobe?
— G.Multani (@geemultani24) October 13, 2024
Yeah you can tell why he failed as a president.
This would be huge in nba sports talk if LeBron wasn’t named on Obamas list….
— Wolf ? (@patientXwolf) October 13, 2024
Kobe not named and……..crickets
Just shows who is held to a higher standard.
It depends on which game rules and style of reffing, Hakeem probably can't close out or hit the 3 if we are playing modern era 5-out ball
— Joshua B. Hoe (@JoshuaBHoe) October 13, 2024
Not big enough. Need a dominant center. I’m taking Shaq and Jokic on the floor together and y’all can’t guard us
— DaveyJonesCrypto (@SolDaveyJones) October 13, 2024
Jokic will dunk on them I'm sorry ? https://t.co/zIk9JLMxXB
— Adeiye (@Iye_Wonder) October 13, 2024
There’s no argument that Obama’s lineup would likely hold its own against any other combination of players. Jordan, who is often regarded as the greatest player in NBA history as well as King James, seen as his closest competitor for the GOAT, such lists are bound to create innumerous debates in the basketball world.
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