NBA Name Game: Creating the best starting fives based on last names
By Tyler Key
![LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5f0b8efb2d570f59764b430f1743f7a0dc2b51ba6401d9d394c9ad3e3a01415d.jpg)
With the 2022-2023 NBA season now officially over, the Denver Nuggets were crowned champions and truly proved the old Joe Paterno saying of how “it’s the name on the front of the jersey that matters most, not the one on the back”. Plowing through superstars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, it was the collective team effort that allowed the Nuggets to shine.
With that being said, today we are strictly looking at the names on the back of the jersey, in attempt to create the best hypothetical starting fives possible. Going alphabetical by the first letter of last names, which of these teams would win the “back of the jersey” championship?
*No Teams for Q, U, X, or Z due to lack of players
A NBA Team – Elite interior defense and scrappy perimeter defense
PG: Jose Alvarado
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: O.G. Anunoby
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Captain)
C: Bam Adebayo
Honorable Mentions: Jarrett Allen, Kyle Anderson, Deandre Ayton
B NBA Team – Small ball offensive juggernaut
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jimmy Butler (Captain)
C: Paolo Banchero
Honorable Mentions: LaMelo Ball, Scottie Barnes, Mikal Bridges, Desmond Bane, Bradley Beal
C NBA Team – Chef Curry has to carry the squad
PG: Steph Curry (Captain)
SG: Cade Cunningham
SF: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela
Honorable Mentions: Nic Claxton, Jordan Clarkson, Alex Caruso
D NBA Team – Dinwiddie would have never been traded if Doncic had this supporting cast
PG: Luka Doncic (Captain)
SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Anthony Davis
Honorable Mentions: Lu Dort, Jalen Duren, Ayo Dosunmo, Donte DiVincenzo