As an NBA player, there are many individual honors that are coveted by most. NBA champion, Finals MVP, MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year are certainly the most notable of them. There is also a selection to the All-NBA First Team. Now, there are three All-NBA Teams in total, and being selected to any of them pretty much means you are a top 10 player at your position and a top 20 player in the league at that time. It can also mean a hefty payday if a bonus is included in your contract, especially these days.

Now, All-NBA Teams usually feature two guards, two forwards, and a center. Obviously, the rules were tweaked a bit this year to include a center in one of the forward spots if voters wish to do so. Over the years, the voters have typically stayed with that format and as a result, some of the greatest “lineups” in league history took shape. Of course, they aren’t actual lineups and never took the floor together unless it was in an All-Star Game.

What if we looked at these teams as actual lineups, though? We went back through NBA history to find the greatest lineups ever assembled from the All-NBA First Teams over the years, and the results were amazing. We believe we have found the 10 greatest All-NBA Teams in history on both sides of the ball. These All-NBA First Teams would be unstoppable on any basketball court in any era, and you would be hard-pressed to find any other group of players better than these.

These are the 10 greatest All-NBA First Teams in history.

10. 2006 All-NBA First Team

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2006 All-NBA First Team: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal

We get things started off on this list of great All-NBA First Teams with the selections from 2006. To start things off, we have MVP Steve Nash, who just captured his second-of-back-to-back MVP awards with 18.8 PPG and a league-leading 10.5 APG. Joining him at the other guard position is none other than Kobe Bryant. In 2006, Kobe won his first of two scoring titles with 35.4 PPG on 45.0% shooting as well as 5.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.8 SPG. Peak Kobe and peak Nash are one heck of a backcourt to get things going.

At the forward spots are two players anyone reading this article would want on their team. LeBron James was just a young man in 2006 but one year away from his first Finals berth. James would average 31.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 6.6 APG in 2006 while helping the Cavaliers win 50 games. At the other forward spot is Dirk Nowitzki, who was at his peak in 2006. Nowitzki was one season away from being named MVP and arguably could have been in 2006 as well. He averaged 26.6 PPG and 9.0 RPG on nearly 50/40/90 splits, falling just shy with 48.0% overall shooting from the floor.

At center, you can never go wrong with Shaq, who wasn’t in his prime form in 2006 but would help lead the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship in 2006. On the season, O’Neal would average 20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.8 BPG, beating out other centers such as Ben Wallace and Yao Ming for First Team honors. As is the case with all of our All-NBA First Teams, it is hard to find a weakness in this lineup.

9. 1984 All-NBA First Team

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1984 All-NBA First Team: Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Bernard King, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

At first glance, you may look at this squad and think maybe the 2006 team is slightly better, but when you go a bit deeper, I truly do not believe so. Let’s start with the backcourt that brings together two of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Isiah Thomas was just a third-year player who played all 82 games and averaged 21.3 PPG along with 11.5 APG and 2.5 SPG. Much better than Nash in 2006. Magic Johnson rounds out the backcourt with his 1984 season of 17.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.2 SPG, and a league-leading 13.1 APG.

For the spots at forward, MVP Larry Bird gets the nod. Bird captured MVP after leading the Celtics to 62 wins with 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG. This was Bird in just his first of three straight MVP seasons, arguably the best one of the three as well. The outlier here may be Bernard King, but not when we go deeper. King, pre-knee injury, averaged 26.3 PPG in 1984 as well as 5.1 RPG on an incredible 57.2% shooting percentage overall. Forwards who can combine for over 50.0 PPG make this tandem elite.

At the center spot is the greatest center in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Although he was already 36 years old, Kareem was outstanding in 1984. He averaged 21.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.8 BPG on the season and shot the ball at 57.8% from the field. With four players in the top five at their position all-time, along with an MVP candidate in Bernard King, gives this team a slight edge over 2006.

8. 1991 All-NBA First Team

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1991 All-NBA First Team: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, David Robinson

At the number eight spot is arguably one of the most complete rosters on the entire list. In the backcourt, we have two players who would meet in the 1991 NBA Finals. Magic Johnson takes one of the guard spots with his runner-up to MVP performance. During the season, he averaged 19.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 12.5 APG, and 1.3 SPG. Sharing the backcourt with him would be MVP and Finals MVP Michael Jordan. Winner of his first NBA championship, this version of Jordan won his fifth straight scoring title with 31.5 PPG on 53.9% shooting. He also added 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, and 1.0 BPG.

At the forward spots, we were blessed to land two of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. As disgruntled as Charles Barkley was becoming in Philadelphia, he was still outstanding with 27.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.6 SPG to finish fourth in MVP voting. Karl Malone would be the other forward in 1991 coming off a season in which he averaged 29.0 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. It was arguably the most well-rounded season of his career.

Rounding out this All-NBA First Team is the man who finished third in MVP voting that season in just his second year in the NBA. David Robinson would average 25.6 PPG, lead the NBA with 13.0 RPG, and add 1.5 SPG and 3.9 BPG. With the five players on this team making up the top five in MVP voting in 1991, it is hard to argue their spot in the top 10 for greatest All-NBA First Teams ever.

7. 1987 All-NBA First Team

1987 All-NBA First Team: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Hakeem Olajuwon

The 1987 All-NBA First Team isn’t too far off from the team that sits at number one, but as you will see, there is one slight difference that makes them that much better. For the guards, Magic Johnson was the 1987 MVP, who averaged 23.9 PPG and 12.2 APG to lead the NBA. He would also go on to win the 1987 Finals MVP. Michael Jordan would win the scoring title with 37.1 PPG in 82 games played and added 2.9 SPG and 1.5 SPG on the defensive end as well.

At the forward positions, two Boston Celtics come in with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. Although he wouldn’t be MVP for the fourth season in a row, Bird was still incredible with 28.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG. Kevin McHale would lead the NBA with a 60.4% field goal percentage in 1987 while averaging 26.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 2.2 BPG. These two led the Celtics to 59 wins in 1987 and a spot in the NBA Finals.

Rounding things out at the center spot would be a young Hakeem Olajuwon, who was already entering his peak form. Olajuwon, who was only 24 years old, would average 23.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.9 SPG, and 3.4 BPG and lead them to the second round of the playoffs. As great as this team is, the team at No. 1 that is similar would run them off the court, and soon you will see why.

6. 2000 All-NBA First Team

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2000 All-NBA First Team: Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal

The NBA ushered in the new millennium in 2000 with one of the best All-NBA First Teams ever assembled. In the backcourt are two of the greatest point guards in NBA history who have become historically underrated. In 2000, Gary Payton was at his two-way peak as he averaged 24.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 8.9 APG, and 1.9 SPG. Sure, he was a DPOY in 1996, but this was arguably his best all-around season. The other guard would be Jason Kidd, who was in All-Star form with the Suns. He led the NBA in assists with 10.1 APG to go with 14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 2.0 SPG.

At the forward spots, we were blessed with two of the greatest power forwards ever. Fifth-year power forward Kevin Garnett would average 22.9 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.6 SPG to lead the Timberwolves to 50 wins and finish runner-up for MVP. Opposite him will be the GOAT power forward, Tim Duncan. In 2000, Duncan would go for 23.2 PPG, 12.4 RPG, and 2.2 BPG. Duncan was also coming off a Finals MVP performance in 1999.

To round things out, we have the most dominant version of the most dominant player ever. Shaquille O’Neal would be the All-Star Game MVP, regular season MVP, and Finals MVP in 2000 as he battered and bruised the competition all season long. O’Neal would average 29.7 PPG to win the scoring title, as well as 13.6 RPG and 3.0 BPG. Now, you tell me. Who is scoring a bucket on those five two-way Gods at their positions?

5. 1961 All-NBA First Team

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1961 All-NBA First Team: Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Wilt Chamberlain

The next two All-NBA First Teams on our list will pay homage to the days of old in the 1960s. First up is the 1961 All-NBA First Team armed with a backcourt of Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson. Cousy was a bit older and in his early 30s but still as effective as ever. He averaged 18.1 PPG and 7.7 APG on the season to help Boston capture another NBA title. Oscar Robertson was arguably the best guard in the NBA with 30.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and an NBA-leading 9.7 APG. Oh, and did I mention he was a rookie?

At the forward spots are two of the most underrated players at their respective positions in NBA history. Elgin Baylor gets criticism for losing so many NBA Finals, but the truth is that he was incredible. In 1961, he averaged 34.8 PPG and 19.8 RPG on 43.0% shooting. Yes, you read that right. Bob Pettit also gets little to no love as an all-time great power forward who averaged 27.9 PPG and 20.3 RPG in 1961, making him one of four NBA players ever to average over 20.0 PPG and 20.0 RPG in a season.

To round things out is quite possibly the greatest big man in league history. Wilt Chamberlain was a cheat code during the early 1960s and is the perfect cherry on top of this lineup. In 1961, he led the NBA in points with 38.4 PPG, rebounds with 27.2 RPG, minutes played with 47.8 minutes per game, and field goal percentage shooting 50.9% from the floor. The offensive output from this team alone makes them an easy choice for the top five. Well, that and over 60 rebounds per game from just three players.

4. 1967 All-NBA First Team

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1967 All-NBA First Team: Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain

With two changes to this All-NBA First Team from the 1961 squad, the 1967 All-NBA First Team comes in slightly ahead. Remaining from 1961 is Oscar Robertson, who was just as dominant in 1967. He averaged 30.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 10.7 APG for the Cincinnati Royals, who would win only 39 games that season. Joining him in the backcourt this time is Jerry West of the Lakers. In 67 games played, West would average 28.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 6.8 APG while shooting 46.4% from the field on mostly jump shots when it wasn’t as popular as it is today.

Elgin Baylor also remains from 1961, with another incredible output in 1967. Baylor would average 26.6 PPG and 12.8 RPG for the Lakers in 1967, as the Lakers won 36 games. Joining him would be a finisher in the top five for MVP, Rick Barry. In just his second season in the NBA, Barry would lead the league in scoring with 35.6 PPG on 45.1% shooting. He would also add 9.2 RPG and lead the Warriors to 44 wins and an NBA Finals appearance.

To complete the 1967 All-NBA First Team, we have MVP Wilt Chamberlain. This season, Wilt would average 24.1 PPG and 24.2 RPG, leading the NBA in rebounds. He also averaged 7.8 APG and led the NBA in total assists as a center. Wilt would then lead the Sixers to an NBA championship averaging 21.7 PPG and 29.1 RPG in the playoffs. Offensively, this team would be unstoppable up against the other nine on the list.

3. 2013 All-NBA First Team

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2013 All-NBA First Team: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan

Now, the top three for the greatest All-NBA First Teams are completely interchangeable, in my opinion. We start with 2013, who gave us the backcourt of Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. Chris Paul would finish fourth in MVP voting in 2013, averaging 16.9 PPG, 9.7 APG, and a league-leading 2.4 SPG to lead the Clippers to 56 wins with his two-way abilities on full display. Joining him was the fifth-place finisher for MVP that season, Kobe Bryant. While toward the end of his career, Bryant was still unbelievable with 27.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.0 APG, and 1.4 SPG. This was Kobe before injuries began to take him out.

The forward spots are even more incredible. First, we have MVP LeBron James, who was arguably at his two-way peak in 2013 with Miami. He averaged 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, and 1.7 SPG. Not only was he MVP, but he also won Finals MVP that season and was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Opposite him in the forward spot is Kevin Durant. In 2013, Durant would play 81 games and averaged 28.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.3 BPG.

Tim Duncan gets the center nod for his performance in 2013 which led to a Western Conference title in 2013. Although much older than he was at his best, Duncan still averaged 17.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 2.7 BPG. He was still a masterful defensive player and fundamental king on offense that could give any interior opponent fits, even at 26 years old. This team has a bit of everything, especially with Durant and James in peak form, making them one of the most dangerous All-NBA First Teams ever.

2. 2003 All-NBA First Team

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2003 All-NBA First Team: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal

The runner-up for our list of the greatest All-NBA First Teams in history comes from the year 2003 and features three top 10 players of all time. The guard positions feature two of the most lethal offensive players in the game at the time, starting with Kobe Bryant. In 2003, Bryant would have his breakout 30.0 PPG season with the Lakers as well as 6.9 RPG and 5.9 APG on 45.1% shooting. Tracy McGrady would win his first of two scoring titles in 2003, averaging 32.1 PPG on 45.7% shooting. He also finished fourth in MVP voting while adding 6.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 1.7 APG.

The forward spots were as unanimous as it gets in 2003, with the top two finishers for MVP both occupying the position. Runner-up Kevin Garnett would average 23.0 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.6 BPG for the Timberwolves. Minnesota would win 51 games, but Garnett would fall short of MVP to Tim Duncan. In 2003, Duncan took home the MVP award averaging 23.3 PPG, 12.9 RPG, and 2.9 BPG in 60 wins for the Spurs. This forward combo is easily the best of any forward combos on this list on both sides of the ball.

Still, in his best years with the Los Angeles Lakers, we once again add Shaquille O’Neal to an already stout two-way lineup. O’Neal would miss 15 games in 2003 but ended up averaging 27.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG, and 2.4 BPG for the 50-32 Lakers. There is only one lineup that I could see defeating this lineup in any seven-game series thus it is the only one ranked ahead of them on this list.

1. 1988 All-NBA First Team

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1988 All-NBA First Team: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon

Now, remember when I said there were slight differences between this 1988 All-NBA First Team and the 1987 All-NBA First Team? Well, here they are. In the guard spots, we have the greatest version of any player in NBA history in Michael Jordan. In 1988, Jordan would win the scoring title, steals title, MVP award, and Defensive Player of the Year award, along with All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team honors. He averaged 35.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 SPG, and 1.6 BPG, shooting 53.5% overall.

Just that should give you all the reason you need to see why they’re number one, but there’s more. Magic Johnson joins Jordan in the backcourt with 19.6 PPG, 11.9 APG, and 1.6 SPG. At the forward spots, we have Larry Bird and Charles Barkley. Bird averaged a whopping 29.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 6.1 APG, and 1.6 SPG on 52.7% shooting. Joining him at forward was Charles Barkley, who was another top scorer with 28.3 PPG as well as 11.9 RPG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.3 BPG

The icing on the cake for 1988 would be this version of Hakeem Olajuwon. In just his fourth season with the Rockets, Olajuwon would average 22.8 PPG, 12.1 RPG but was an even bigger menace defensively with 2.1 SPG on top of 2.7 BPG. With the addition of Barkley’s scoring, Bird’s all-around play, and Michael Jordan’s individual season, there is no defeating the All-NBA First Team from 1988.