It’s common knowledge that former President Barack Obama loves basketball. The 44th President was even said to be a fairly decent hoops player himself, described as “good, not great.”. Obama has taken part in a Netflix series, Starting 5, which looked back on the 2023/24 NBA season, following the ups and downs of five superstars – Lebron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis. Obama and wife Michelle were credited as executive producers on the show, which also had football legend Peyton Manning in a producer role.
The show has an access-all-areas feel, giving you an insight into what it takes to compete at the highest level. Sports documentaries are big business for streaming services these days, and the fact Starting 5 lined up five of the best in the business is going to draw eyeballs to Netflix. We note, too, that DraftKings has a special list of NBA odds and betting markets for all five players in the documentary: it’s sure to be a smash hit as we enter the 2024/25 season.
Obama Picked Durant in his Dream Team
But while the fly-on-the-wall documentary is riveting in itself, it was interesting to see Obama’s selection for his Starting 5. Whatever you think of the former President, it’s uncontested that he is a compelling orator, so even if you don’t agree with his picks, the man is persuasive. Of course, the premise of the show is to pick a team based on a range of individuals, so he wasn’t listing the best five players of all time. Rather, he was constructing a team of greats who could complement each other.
Yet, one who did make the list is Texas Longhorn’s legend Kevin Durant. The two-time NBA Champion is obviously one of the best scorers in NBA history, and his stint as a Longhorn is fondly remembered by Texas fans; his number 35 jersey was retired by the Longhorns in 2007. While Obama might be accused of some recency bias, you can objectively make a strong case for KD’s inclusion in any starting 5. Even at the age of 36, he’s putting up stellar numbers. He’s currently on 14 All-Star selections, and while age might mean he does not catch LeBron James (20), he has won everything; he’s an all-time great.
Who else made Obama’s list?
LeBron James
There’s not much to be said about James that hasn’t already been said: It’s an exercise in futility to debate whether he should be considered the greatest player in the game’s history, as there is objectively no correct answer. That said, James continues to defy the odds. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA, and he still looks hungry for more success despite winning every individual and team accolade possible.
Michael Jordan
Obama is a Chicago boy, so it would have been something close to sacrilege if he had left Jordan off his list. Like James and Durant, he needs little in the way of introduction. We know most of the accolades on the court, but he also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 (awarded by Obama), and he has an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion. It almost seems too obvious now to talk of his greatness.
Stephen Curry
“I want a little shooting and flair,” said Obama, emphasizing Curry’s status as one of the greatest shooters in the game’s history. Again, some might suggest that Obama should be looking beyond the modern game for his picks, but it’s hard to argue with Curry’s inclusion in any team. Indeed, he is one of the best ‘team’ players that basketball has ever seen.
Hakeem Olajuwon
One of the best defensive players in NBA history, “the Dream” is a legend in Houston, starring for the Cougars and staying with the Rockets for the vast majority of his career. He’s probably the least well-known player on this list, at least to modern fans, but you can see the logic in him being included by Obama. Olajuwon was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
