The NBA offseason continues at its usual slow pace, but that doesn’t mean the basketball discussion has to stall. One fun topic to explore is assembling the best starting five for each letter of the alphabet—at least for the standout letters.
Let’s kick things off with the letter ‘A,’ which boasts a wealth of talent. This lineup features a two-time MVP as the star player, last season’s top scorer as the secondary option, and two reigning NBA champions holding the team together.
The NBA’s A-Team
Point Guard – Jose Alvarado, New York Knicks
Though not the most famous on this team, Alvarado had an outstanding 2025-26 season. The Brooklyn native was traded to the Knicks from New Orleans in February and served as Jalen Brunson’s backup, averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 assists across 28 games. His defining moment came in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where he scored eight points in the final quarter during New York’s historic 29-point comeback against the Spurs—the largest in Finals history. The next game, “Grand Theft Alvarado” became an NBA champion. His lockdown defense is exactly what this squad needs at point guard.
Shooting Guard – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
Alexander-Walker dramatically improved his production, doubling his scoring average from 9.4 to 20.8 points per game in his first season with Atlanta, earning the 2025-26 Most Improved Player award. Originally the sixth man, he secured a starting role when Trae Young was sidelined with a knee injury. He posted career-best shooting splits of 46/40/90, set a Hawks record with 251 three-pointers, and recorded a career-high 41 points against Orlando. Interestingly, his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won MVP the same season, will have to settle for the G-team.
Small Forward – OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
While Alexander-Walker’s season ended in a first-round loss to the Knicks, OG Anunoby was fundamental to the Knicks’ championship run. He averaged 16.7 points and 1.6 steals during the regular season, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team for the second time. He elevated his game even more in the playoffs, posting the highest effective field goal percentage ever for a player with at least 150 shot attempts in a single postseason. In the legendary Game 4 comeback, Anunoby delivered a playoff career-high 33 points and sealed the victory with a tip-in in the final seconds. Now a two-time champion, he embodies the ultimate versatile wing player.
Power Forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
No one else on this roster compares to Giannis as the clear first-option star. With two MVPs, a Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and 10 All-Star appearances, he remains one of the league’s most dominant forces. Though he played only 36 games last season for Milwaukee, he still averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on an impressive 62.4% shooting. After long speculation, the Bucks traded him to the Miami Heat in July, a move that was expected for some time. Surrounded by sharpshooters and stoppers, the offense here would inevitably revolve around him. Interestingly, his teammate here as the second option doubles as his teammate in Miami for the coming season.
Center – Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo recorded one of the most remarkable single-game scoring feats in NBA history on March 10, putting up 83 points against the Washington Wizards, second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s record. He shot 20-of-43 from the floor and broke NBA records with 36 free throws made on 43 attempts. Over 73 starts, he averaged 20.1 points and 10 rebounds. Miami’s season came to an end in the play-in tournament after Adebayo exited their loss to Charlotte early due to a back injury. Beyond scoring, he remains an elite defender, having made his sixth All-Defensive team last season, and boasts two Olympic gold medals.
This starting five combines exceptional defensive toughness at every position—few NBA teams could match their intensity—and efficient scoring alongside elite physicality. This ‘A-Team’ sets an impressively high standard for lineups themed around the alphabet.
Fan Take: This ‘A-Team’ lineup highlights the exciting blend of rising stars and established superstars shaping today’s NBA, showing fans that the league is deeper and more competitive than ever. Watching how players like Alvarado and Alexander-Walker elevate their games alongside legends like Giannis signals an era of thrilling basketball ahead.
Source: nbaanalysis.net
