BREAKING NEWS: NBA Mount Rushmore Debate Erupts – Experts, Fans, and Analytics Crown the One Player You MUST Bench from LeBron, Curry, Kobe, Jordan, Durant, Shaq Supert eam…Read More….

BREAKING NEWS: NBA Mount Rushmore Debate Erupts – Experts, Fans, and Analytics Crown the One Player You MUST Bench from LeBron, Curry, Kobe, Jordan, Durant, Shaq Supert eam…Read More….

The sports world is in shock today as a heated, nationwide debate has erupted over one of the most difficult questions basketball fans have ever faced: If you had to build the ultimate six-man NBA superteam featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Shaquille O’Neal… which legendary icon gets benched?

What started as an ESPN late-night analytics segment exploded within hours into a global conversation. Social media platforms, sports bars, podcasts, and even locker rooms across the world were consumed by the debate. Hashtags like #NBAUltimateSix, #WhoGetsBenched, and #BasketballRushmore trended across multiple continents.

And now, after more than 12 hours of nonstop discussion, polls, and expert breakdowns, a surprising consensus has emerged.

THE EXPERTS’ SHOCKING VERDICT

According to a panel of 20 top basketball analysts—ranging from former NBA players to data-driven strategists—the one player who narrowly earns the bench spot is… Kevin Durant.

The decision was anything but unanimous. Analysts emphasized that Durant’s scoring ability is arguably the most effortless in NBA history. But when placed in a five-man superteam alongside LeBron, Curry, Kobe, Jordan, and Shaq, the panel voted that Durant was the most “replaceable” in terms of role overlap.

“You’re not benching Shaq—there’s only one Shaq,” former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins argued. “You need the most dominant big ever to anchor that team. Curry is mandatory for spacing. Kobe and MJ bring elite two-way play. And LeBron is the engine. That leaves KD as the odd man out—but it feels wrong.”

FAN REACTION: EMOTIONAL, LOUD, AND DIVIDED

Fan votes told a different but still KD-leaning story. Out of 2.3 million global fan responses, results broke down as:

Kevin Durant – 41%

Shaquille O’Neal – 22%

Stephen Curry – 18%

Kobe Bryant – 10%

LeBron James – 6%

Michael Jordan – 3%

Fans argued that Durant’s skill set is elite but overlaps with Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron—all wings or hybrid players who can score, defend, and function as primary options.

Shaq’s 22% bench vote shocked analysts but reflected the modern era’s small-ball mentality.

ANALYTICS: NUMBERS BACK THE DECISION

The analytics team at SportsVision used advanced lineup simulations to test thousands of scenarios involving the six legends. Their findings were clear:

The highest-performing five-man unit featured Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Curry, and Shaq.

KD lineups scored more efficiently but gave up more defensive points.

Lineups with both KD and Jordan reduced off-ball spacing and midrange efficiency due to role overlap.

KEVIN DURANT RESPONDS

Within minutes of the report going viral, Durant posted on social media:

“Bench me? Cool. I’ll drop 40 on the superteam with the second unit.”

The internet erupted again.

THE DEBATE IS FAR FROM OVER

While experts have crowned their pick, the basketball world continues to argue fiercely. One thing is certain: when the NBA’s greatest legends are put side-by-side, there are no wrong answers—only impossible choices.

And this debate? It might go down as the most electrifying sports argument of the decade.