Derrick Rose was one of the NBA’s brightest stars of the 21st century. He rose to fame with the Chicago Bulls early in his career, becoming the youngest MVP in league history. However, injuries eventually slowed his rise, and he retired in 2024. Now, D-Rose has revealed his ideal lineup made up of today’s active players.
In a recent interview with HoopsHype, Derrick was asked to name his best possible starting five using only players from today’s NBA. His answer included some obvious picks, a couple of surprises, and one major omission—even he later regretted.
“If I could pick a five right now… Steph,” Rose began, referring to Curry. He didn’t hesitate to select the four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors as his point guard. It’s a choice he’s uniquely qualified to make, considering his own experience and success at the position.
“Two-guard would have to be Ant,” he continued. Anthony Edwards is widely recognized as one of the NBA’s top shooting guards—often drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan—so it was no surprise to see the Minnesota Timberwolves star on Rose’s list.
Derrick Rose chose Stephen Curry as his point guard.
“Kevin Durant,” was the next name the 2011 MVP mentioned. While KD’s inclusion wasn’t surprising, the position Rose assigned him—small forward—was a bit unexpected. That choice made more sense moments later, when Derrick named the next player.
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“Bron at the four, because he plays like a four now,” Rose explained. While the positional switch is up for debate, it’s interesting to note that, had this question been posed a few years earlier, LeBron James and Kevin Durant might’ve swapped roles.
“And Joker,” the Bulls legend concluded. That pick, of course, is hard to argue with. Nikola Jokic has dominated in recent seasons, leading the Denver Nuggets and earning near-universal recognition as one of the best basketball players in the world today.
“That’s no knock to all my peers who still play. That’s just a quick five that was on my head, top of my head,” Rose clarified after naming his lineup. “It’s a lot of people that I miss, though, but it is what it is.”
Still, just moments later, he realized he had left out a major name from the list. “(Expletive), my bad Shai,” said Rose, remembering he had omitted none other than 2025 NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander. “(Expletive), I ain’t even throw Shai in there bro. Shai, my bad, Shai.”
Among the other superstar names left out of Rose’s starting five: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum. All of them—along with many others—have built strong enough resumes to warrant inclusion, underscoring just how stacked the NBA is right now.
SurveyShould Shai Gilgeous-Alexander replace Stephen Curry as point guard?
Should Shai Gilgeous-Alexander replace Stephen Curry as point guard?
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