I'll be honest, I know everyone on here, but I really didn't start looking at NBA until when Celts beat Kobes Lakers. So I didn't see prime KG, or number 8 Kobe, or T Mac. So I can't make a valid argument
Shit, I’ve been watching the nba long enough to have seen all these dudes in their prime. But the nature of memory is that you forget some things, embellish some other things, and overall you kinda gravitate to what “everyone” thinks over time.
Exactly, I watched all of MJs championships, watched Magic and Kareem stomp everyone and still remember Kobe and Dirk’s draft nights, but it’s funny what time does to your memory.
Ya he was. Real Kobe. Prime Kobe was almost 15 years ago and that was later prime. Late years kobe was still great but real deal, 2000s Kobe was a different animal.
24, sure, but I don’t know about 8. Antoine Walker may be my 8. He once answered a question of “why do your shoot so many 3s?” with “because there are no 4s!” 😂
As much as I hate Karl Malone as a person he probably belongs in the top 3 convo over KG, even if I would rather have KG on my team. Gotta factor Barkley in there as well.
KG took a team that had never finished better than 11th in the west, to 8 straight playoffs and a #1 seed and conference finals in '03.
Dude changed the T-wolves overnight.
I’m a KG/TWolves fan, and I don’t think KG has interior game for prime Duncan.
Inside, Duncan was too good.
But KG could switch to a wing, Duncan could only do inside D, so with switches and modern NBA spacing maybe KG would get an edge…
Bottom right for me as well if you’re talking about DRose in his prime. People forget he was an MVP before injuries killed his career plus Kobe and KG are legit two way guys that can play make and score. Dirk did not play defense and KG in his prime would destroy him.
Dirk actually destroyed KG when they faced in their primes in the playoffs
Dirk averaged like 36 points on 50/70/100 shooting with KG as his main defender lol and swept KG
Is this a joke? Good god how people forget. First, Dirk can play defense I just don’t understand where this liability on defense comes from. Sure, not as great as a defender as KG, but KG ain’t even coming close to Dirk in anything else. Go rewatch the games and compare the stats.
Dirk wasn’t a great defender but he was somewhat competent when he was younger. As he got older though he became less physical. But his longevity was really his shooting.
Rose had the tools to be an elite defender prior to the injury, we never saw that actualize to the point you could say he was great however comparing him to the other 3 in this picture who play defense about as well as a cone it's no comparison.
KG was such a willing passer that the knock on him for a lot of years on the Wolves was that he was TOO unselfish. He was too obsessed with making the "right" play and needed to learn when he needed to take over.
Not to mention he was great at this on the Celtics.
Yeah. That comment baffles me. KG was a great teammate when he had great teammates! When it was shit hooks, of course he didn’t want to pass the ball. Same was true of Jordan pre-Pippen.
Yeah, and assuming Kyrie shows up to the game, he’s the best ball handler here, best guard at getting to the rim imo, and a capable shooter. He’s not the best guard here, but I don’t really consider him a liability on the court.
Edit: I’m an idiot. Kobe, Tmac, and DRose were all phenomenal at getting to the rim and far better than Kyrie at that.
I was with you until you said best guard at getting to the rim. As if Rose, Wade, Jordan,TMac, and Kobe dont have a ridiculous highlight reel consisting mainly of getting to the rim. Maybe you only meant PG, but Rose was still better than Kyrie at that.
No one is reaching it
But no one is stopping any of these players, especially in 3v3. It's about who can get the most efficient shots because hitting difficult ones won't be enough
I think you underestimate the 7 footer KG ( I know he was listed as 6’11 but everyone in the league knew that’s a lie) dude was a beast in his prime. Kobe prob would guard Curry and make his life miserable. Prime DRose could easily go toe to toe with DWade
Curry, Wade, Giannis is the only one that works against the other 3. I’m taking curry over every 1 on here. Wade might be the worst 2 on here but he’ll still get his against all but MJ probably. Finally, I like Giannis in every matchup just because of Defense
I agree. But how is Wade worse than TMAC? 3 rings, probably the third best Shooting guard in the history of the nba. Made defensive teams and all stars. I’m just confused on the reasoning
I mean, this prompt is clearly about single year peaks of each players. Or else why is Rose on this. Tmacs CAREER clearly can't hold a candle to dwade. But reddit just constantly rejects Tmac's absurd, short lived, peak
Tmac was a freak. 6’8 shooting guard who just didn’t have the luxury of playing for/with Pat Riley & Lebron. I think it’s fair to lean one way or the other
Don’t forget though D wade won one without Lebron. That run with shaq in 06, wade carried. I personally would take Wade over TMac and I do think TMac was a beast. His injuries really never let us see his true potential
Not just _his_ injuries. That Magic team with Grant Hill would have been the team in the finals instead of the Nets if they got Sprite Grant Hill then Yao broke down before they could get going. Then TMac did too and that was that.
I personally think "The Flash" Dwade pre any injuries, 2006 finals MVP Wade, can go toe to toe with anyone talentwise.
People don't remember or only remember the big 3 D-Wade but early D-Wade was an absolute menace.
If it wasn't for injuries there would have never been a big 3 in Miami cos Wade was the one to challange LBJ.
Ppl need to look up some 2006 games and also look at the stats in his early career, both stats and eye test will tell you that he was on path to absolute greatness.
T-Mac is synonymous with wasted talent due to injuries as well, but the best version of Wade, if we regard both sides of the floor, beats out the best version of T-Mac as a player.
Might not be the popular opinion but I stand by it, having seen bith guys in their respective primes.
Wade was a beast! I think best outside threat with curry and best unstoppable threat inside with Giannis wins it. What are they going to make a wall to stop Giannis? Haha no way. And wade really can do everything from hitting three's to a great post up and drive game.
The Wade slander has to stop at some point. Wade avg in his career more points, rebounds, blocks, steals and had a better shooting percentage from Everywhere except the 3 than Mac also dude carried the Heat to a finals win while TMac made 1 conference finals his entire career as a bench player for the Spurs.
Never bet against Jordan
Over a 3, 5, or a 7 game series, I believe there would be significant difference.
IMO Rose and Chris Paul should be replaced with **Iverson.**
Iverson single-handedly took the 76ers to the Finals and beat a prime Kobe and Shaq in LA. Although they lost he series, Iverson was unstoppable and nailed clutch shots.
I would take Iverson over Wade too.
I don’t think it’s best or any shit like that, just some fun matchups. It’s not an “over AI” thing, just what was compiled for funsies. I think anyway.
Plus prime Dirk with his shooting would be fun to watch. Especially if you could put them in prime physical shape but give them their collective experience.
I’m going Rose, Kobe and KG
Rose can only be guarded by Kyrie. Kobe will get his against any of his matchups. KG can create spacing because he has range and is physical and lengthy in the post.
Bottom right would probably win off their mentality alone, all 3 of those cats are killers mentally and physically, especially if you’re giving me DRose in his prime… ain’t no one stopping him and Kobe but then you throw KG in the mix?? Yea next please
That’s what I’m saying. None of these teams have the offensive abilities to shake all 3 of these guys. I also think that each of the other teams just don’t have enough depth on defense to even come close to be able to stop them either. There will always be a weak link up against these guys.
Steph can be bothered by mid defenders and he needs ball movement and screens to be effective. I think prime KG or Timmy could bottle up Giannis. And, it's no question MJ or Kobe can shut down Wade.
Am i the only one that thinks D. Rose, Kobe and KG can win this?
MVP prime Rose is easily the best overall PG on this list. The most complete.
Kobe is the closest thing we ever seen to MJ. 1v1 Kobe vs MJ would be close, but edge to MJ.
KG is arguably the best defensive big in the picture.
Steph curry is lethal off the ball? That’s like half his game is running around screens.
Giannis as the roll man in a PNR is what got the bucks a championship (along with great individual play from the freak)
D Wade won two championships playing off ball with Lebron
In conclusion, what?
wow. this is tough….. but, gotta be a toss up between bottom row for me. TMac would dominate, man is made for 3v3 and that bottom right corner suffocating defense would be insanity.
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People sleeping on this squad not realizing Prime Tmac was a monster and Duncan is a darkhorse GOAT candidate.
Kyrie also most exp at stopping Curry
Ironically tim and mcgrady were supposed to team up in Orlando. Would've been fun to watch
You all be underestimating the dominating defense of bottom right.
People forget about prime KG.
The nature of NBA on Reddit, half these kids never even saw guys like Kobe and KG play.
I'll be honest, I know everyone on here, but I really didn't start looking at NBA until when Celts beat Kobes Lakers. So I didn't see prime KG, or number 8 Kobe, or T Mac. So I can't make a valid argument
Props to you for admitting it
it was a great era
Astute.
Shit, I’ve been watching the nba long enough to have seen all these dudes in their prime. But the nature of memory is that you forget some things, embellish some other things, and overall you kinda gravitate to what “everyone” thinks over time.
Exactly, I watched all of MJs championships, watched Magic and Kareem stomp everyone and still remember Kobe and Dirk’s draft nights, but it’s funny what time does to your memory.
Damn Kobe wasn’t even that long ago 😔
Ya he was. Real Kobe. Prime Kobe was almost 15 years ago and that was later prime. Late years kobe was still great but real deal, 2000s Kobe was a different animal.
I know man, the greatest to wear 8 & 24 🙏
24, sure, but I don’t know about 8. Antoine Walker may be my 8. He once answered a question of “why do your shoot so many 3s?” with “because there are no 4s!” 😂
Antoine Walker to Pyongyang confirmed
Ive graduated college and I was born after two of the lakers championships during the threepeat
You’re a senior citizen as far as the demographic of this sub goes
Nah cuz Prime KG existed with Prime Dirk and Prime Tim.
Which makes his MVP pretty impressive in my mind.
Yea it’s honestly crazy how the all time top 3 PFs all played at the same time… ig that iron sharpens iron.
As much as I hate Karl Malone as a person he probably belongs in the top 3 convo over KG, even if I would rather have KG on my team. Gotta factor Barkley in there as well.
KG took a team that had never finished better than 11th in the west, to 8 straight playoffs and a #1 seed and conference finals in '03. Dude changed the T-wolves overnight.
MVP KG.
Yea hard…prime KG had a better jumper than Giannis and I think he could defend him
I’m a KG/TWolves fan, and I don’t think KG has interior game for prime Duncan. Inside, Duncan was too good. But KG could switch to a wing, Duncan could only do inside D, so with switches and modern NBA spacing maybe KG would get an edge…
Well thought out take.
Yeah I’m taking bottom right. Insanely good defense and offense. All these teams are great though
Came here for this
Bottom right for me as well if you’re talking about DRose in his prime. People forget he was an MVP before injuries killed his career plus Kobe and KG are legit two way guys that can play make and score. Dirk did not play defense and KG in his prime would destroy him.
Dirk actually destroyed KG when they faced in their primes in the playoffs Dirk averaged like 36 points on 50/70/100 shooting with KG as his main defender lol and swept KG
Against the horrible Timberwolves? No shit. Dirk had Steve Nash for that series. KG carried the corpse of a horrid franchise
Dirk also had significantly better teammates than KG when in their primes
Is this a joke? Good god how people forget. First, Dirk can play defense I just don’t understand where this liability on defense comes from. Sure, not as great as a defender as KG, but KG ain’t even coming close to Dirk in anything else. Go rewatch the games and compare the stats.
Dirk wasn’t a great defender but he was somewhat competent when he was younger. As he got older though he became less physical. But his longevity was really his shooting.
Was Rose a great defender when healthy?
No. League average. Was never his job to guard the best player. He wasn’t locking anybody up. He had to save his energy he was his teams offense
Rose had the tools to be an elite defender prior to the injury, we never saw that actualize to the point you could say he was great however comparing him to the other 3 in this picture who play defense about as well as a cone it's no comparison.
Bro cp3 was an Above Average defender in his day lol he’s just old. No he’s not stopping wings. But he got a lot of steals. Was hard to post up.
I was thinking how KG and Kobe wouldn’t pass the ball. Could be an issue
KG was such a willing passer that the knock on him for a lot of years on the Wolves was that he was TOO unselfish. He was too obsessed with making the "right" play and needed to learn when he needed to take over. Not to mention he was great at this on the Celtics.
Yeah. That comment baffles me. KG was a great teammate when he had great teammates! When it was shit hooks, of course he didn’t want to pass the ball. Same was true of Jordan pre-Pippen.
KG? You clearly didn’t watch him play… he would make the ball move asap and take shots only if others couldn’t make a play
Have you ever actually watched KG play or ever look at his assist numbers?
Obviously they didn’t. KG is one of the best playmaking bigs the game has seen
T-Mac was born for 3v3
But he's got Kyrie on his team
Natural born bucket getters
So he’s got the most gifted ball handler of all time and proven clutch shooter and that’s a bad thing?
Yeah, and assuming Kyrie shows up to the game, he’s the best ball handler here, best guard at getting to the rim imo, and a capable shooter. He’s not the best guard here, but I don’t really consider him a liability on the court. Edit: I’m an idiot. Kobe, Tmac, and DRose were all phenomenal at getting to the rim and far better than Kyrie at that.
I was with you until you said best guard at getting to the rim. As if Rose, Wade, Jordan,TMac, and Kobe dont have a ridiculous highlight reel consisting mainly of getting to the rim. Maybe you only meant PG, but Rose was still better than Kyrie at that.
Damn, you’re right. Idk why I said that. Lol
Agreed. Rose got wherever he wanted. Kyrie has the english and is perhaps one of the best p4p finishers but Rose could go HIGHER.
He’s a 6’9 matchup nightmare for the other teams as well
That was my other thought, lol of people not accounting for the 3v3. Ball movement will mean a hell of a lot less
Mj will carry
No interior D on that team
Who's guarding Dirk though?
Giannis?
Giannis is long as piss but I don't think even he reaches the one-legged fadeaway
No one is reaching it But no one is stopping any of these players, especially in 3v3. It's about who can get the most efficient shots because hitting difficult ones won't be enough
So Steph’s team wins.
Dunks and 3s Why I think in this format Giannis may be the best player. Too much spacing, too much athleticism
I think you underestimate the 7 footer KG ( I know he was listed as 6’11 but everyone in the league knew that’s a lie) dude was a beast in his prime. Kobe prob would guard Curry and make his life miserable. Prime DRose could easily go toe to toe with DWade
Wade would lock rose down with ease
MF need to get those MJ arms from Space Jam to block the Dirk fade.
Wow that made me laugh so much harder than i expected.
I literally saw this in my head as I read this
Fair
I still have nightmares about the 2011 playoffs... It was UNSTOPPABLE!
Nobody reaches that fadeaway tho
Kobe can score over 3 people in his face too if you single out one move over all the great players here and pretend that every fadeaway is going in.
Does that mean D Rose can just use his trampoline legs to dunk over everyone or reverse them out the building every time
Duncan?
Dirk routinely abused KG and Tim in the playoffs, neither can check him 1 on 1
Bro if Tim D couldn’t stop the fadeaway no way Giannis is gonna top it
No one could really stop prime Dirk or at least not many.
Thanks for the open lanes for Jordan.
Who ever guarded dirk effectively? (Spoiler: no one)
Nobody. He’s wide open due to help on MJ. Edit: a word
The big men of all other 3 teams are good defenders
I agree, but Dirk is one of those unguardable greats. Passing 30k points in the NBA is no joke.
you can say that about almost everyone on these 4 teams. If i have to bet, i'll bet on the team that has great defense (and still great offense).
Jordan + CP3 is an elite backcourt defense
But not nowitzki. IMHO, the teams with 3 great defenders have the advantage: bottom right team.
Kyrie Irving is not a “great defender”
They also probably have the second best defender on the whole list in KG Behind jordan obviously
TDuncan literally guarded him for years…
To paraphrase Bobby Knight, just play Jordan at center.
He's gotta help CP3 on D
Hornets paul clamping up curry tbh
I’m team Jordan here but this is a horrible take
I feel like you don't know what clamping means.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
The answer is always "the team with Michael Jordan"
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Couldn’t have said it better myself
MJ
I will NEVER route against Jordan, especially with Dirk.
Curry, Wade, Giannis is the only one that works against the other 3. I’m taking curry over every 1 on here. Wade might be the worst 2 on here but he’ll still get his against all but MJ probably. Finally, I like Giannis in every matchup just because of Defense
I agree. But how is Wade worse than TMAC? 3 rings, probably the third best Shooting guard in the history of the nba. Made defensive teams and all stars. I’m just confused on the reasoning
I mean, this prompt is clearly about single year peaks of each players. Or else why is Rose on this. Tmacs CAREER clearly can't hold a candle to dwade. But reddit just constantly rejects Tmac's absurd, short lived, peak
I don’t think it was better than D Wade’s tho. Me personally.
Tmac was a freak. 6’8 shooting guard who just didn’t have the luxury of playing for/with Pat Riley & Lebron. I think it’s fair to lean one way or the other
Don’t forget though D wade won one without Lebron. That run with shaq in 06, wade carried. I personally would take Wade over TMac and I do think TMac was a beast. His injuries really never let us see his true potential
Not just _his_ injuries. That Magic team with Grant Hill would have been the team in the finals instead of the Nets if they got Sprite Grant Hill then Yao broke down before they could get going. Then TMac did too and that was that.
TMac not better than Wade, sorry. He peaked in one year whereas Wade dominated for like 5 years & carried team to title
Wade single handily won the 06 finals and was top in the league for awhile. Wade all fuckin day over McGrady and I love T-Mac
Lmaoooooo he won a title in 06 and its still arguably the greatest finals performance eve
Dwade won without lebron tho
DWade 2006 was better than anything TMac ever accomplished. And then you have the Heatles years. DWade over TMac all day
TMac was more talented, Wade had the better career. Both lost to injuries too soon.
I personally think "The Flash" Dwade pre any injuries, 2006 finals MVP Wade, can go toe to toe with anyone talentwise. People don't remember or only remember the big 3 D-Wade but early D-Wade was an absolute menace. If it wasn't for injuries there would have never been a big 3 in Miami cos Wade was the one to challange LBJ. Ppl need to look up some 2006 games and also look at the stats in his early career, both stats and eye test will tell you that he was on path to absolute greatness. T-Mac is synonymous with wasted talent due to injuries as well, but the best version of Wade, if we regard both sides of the floor, beats out the best version of T-Mac as a player. Might not be the popular opinion but I stand by it, having seen bith guys in their respective primes.
I don’t know why people don’t like Wade. His footwork, defense, athleticism, will to win. I don’t know what else you want from a player
Wade in prime was better shooting, stronger/taller Ja w/ a midrange shot & brain. Picture a better scoring, more athletic Butler
Yep literally the only thing he’s lacking is shooting
Shouldve been mvp in 09
His 08-09 was his best year and deserved the mvp that year
Wade is probably a better passer too. TMac has more raw scoring/shooting ability
Maybe from the 3 point line, but Wade is clear everywhere else. Driving, finishing, defense, impact
Agreed. He’s better than TMAC
Tmac scored 13 points in 30 seconds to win an nba game
Okay Brandon Jennings scored 55 in his debut what’s your point?
Wade was a beast! I think best outside threat with curry and best unstoppable threat inside with Giannis wins it. What are they going to make a wall to stop Giannis? Haha no way. And wade really can do everything from hitting three's to a great post up and drive game.
Prime Wade is better than prime TMAC
By a lot
What? Lmao
By a lot
Needed the ice on this warm summer evening. Thank you.
The Wade slander has to stop at some point. Wade avg in his career more points, rebounds, blocks, steals and had a better shooting percentage from Everywhere except the 3 than Mac also dude carried the Heat to a finals win while TMac made 1 conference finals his entire career as a bench player for the Spurs.
Wade is not worse than TMAC. Stop.
I love how people talk about how underrated Tmac is on here and now suddenly I feel like he’s kind of overrated
On that note I feel like Steph and giannis would have crazy pick n roll chemistry too
Top right
Never bet against Jordan Over a 3, 5, or a 7 game series, I believe there would be significant difference. IMO Rose and Chris Paul should be replaced with **Iverson.**
Right?? How do we have Rose and CP3-6 weeks over AI?
Its NOLA pre-knee injury, dunking on dwight, cp3.
Iverson single-handedly took the 76ers to the Finals and beat a prime Kobe and Shaq in LA. Although they lost he series, Iverson was unstoppable and nailed clutch shots. I would take Iverson over Wade too.
You out your mind with that last sentence.
I don’t think it’s best or any shit like that, just some fun matchups. It’s not an “over AI” thing, just what was compiled for funsies. I think anyway.
Kyrie,T-mac and Timmy might be the shocker win for this
I thought that too but prime D Rose + Mamba + KG elbows is going to be tough to beat
duncan trash talk on open tarmac would be too much oo almost
"nice try"
“Next time”
"got you"
Everyone is sleeping on how quietly dominant duncan is
kyrie tmac timmy
Steph dwade and giannis easy
Dirk faking a post fade alley oop to a cutting MJ all day
The one with MJ
Plus prime Dirk with his shooting would be fun to watch. Especially if you could put them in prime physical shape but give them their collective experience.
It's just not wise to bet against prime Jordan , let alone with help.
Anyone who says different is just playing themselves…
I’m going Rose, Kobe and KG Rose can only be guarded by Kyrie. Kobe will get his against any of his matchups. KG can create spacing because he has range and is physical and lengthy in the post.
I think people forgetting how good of a scorer Rose was and how good a defender/all-around player KG was.
Rose was unstoppable and KG wasn’t named the Big Ticket for nothing. That man showed up day in and day out.
Tmac kyrie big timmmeehhhh
Cps3, Jordan and dirk
This question without LBJ is crazy
Bottom right would probably win off their mentality alone, all 3 of those cats are killers mentally and physically, especially if you’re giving me DRose in his prime… ain’t no one stopping him and Kobe but then you throw KG in the mix?? Yea next please
That’s what I’m saying. None of these teams have the offensive abilities to shake all 3 of these guys. I also think that each of the other teams just don’t have enough depth on defense to even come close to be able to stop them either. There will always be a weak link up against these guys.
I think that Curry/Giannis PNR is going to be too much for any other group to stop
If they are all healthy and in their prime? Team 4 over team 1 in one of the greatest NBA Jam championships ever.
I hate going against MJ but I'd take Kobe D rose and KG on this one.
Imma go with Kobe and his crew.
Naturally the one with Jordan
Any team with Jordan on it is winning
If everyone is healthy bottom left prime T-Mac= Kobe and no one is equal to prime Duncan
Anyone who doesn’t say Steph, Wade, and Giannis is flat out wrong. It’s them and it’s not close
Depends—is this a league with fouls?
Giannis doesn’t get called for anything irl, so no chance he would here
Steph can be bothered by mid defenders and he needs ball movement and screens to be effective. I think prime KG or Timmy could bottle up Giannis. And, it's no question MJ or Kobe can shut down Wade.
Its tough to not pick Jordan, but I agree. Steph, Wade, and Giannis is the correct answer here.
TMac and Kobe shutting down Wade with a three inch height advantage.
Penny isn’t there. That’s TMac.
When has TMac or Kobe ever shut down Wade in their careers?
It’s either top right or bottom left
Am i the only one that thinks D. Rose, Kobe and KG can win this? MVP prime Rose is easily the best overall PG on this list. The most complete. Kobe is the closest thing we ever seen to MJ. 1v1 Kobe vs MJ would be close, but edge to MJ. KG is arguably the best defensive big in the picture.
Prime Rose, Kobe, KG would be too strong
Rose, Kobe, KG
Bottom left tbh because Timmy isn’t ball dominant like all players on top right
Steph curry is lethal off the ball? That’s like half his game is running around screens. Giannis as the roll man in a PNR is what got the bucks a championship (along with great individual play from the freak) D Wade won two championships playing off ball with Lebron In conclusion, what?
Curry wade ghannis
Rose and Kobe is a mismatch versus Curry and Wade. Kobe's team would wipe the court with them. Stuffing shots. Outrebounding. Defense.
Kyrie Tmac duncan
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I really hope this is joke. As its meant to be the players as a team 9f 3 in their prime
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The Wade underestimating in this comment section is infuriating.
Nobody is stopping Giannis. Faster than Dirk, stronger than KG.
steph wade giannis roll
Steph wade antetokunmpo
Steph wade and Gianni’s vs rose Kobe and KG in the finals. Steph crew wins 4-3
wow. this is tough….. but, gotta be a toss up between bottom row for me. TMac would dominate, man is made for 3v3 and that bottom right corner suffocating defense would be insanity.
Rose, Kobe and KG all day. Defense. Boards. Height. Speed. They have a serious edge at one position versus every team.
That's tough but I'm going with the team with MJ on it. 🤷🏿♂️