When asked to name his all-time starting five, Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall didn’t hesitate. Instead of delivering the usual lineup of league legends—Jordan, LeBron, Magic—he gave an answer that sent waves through Mavericks Nation and instantly earned him a special place in fans’ hearts. In a world dominated by generic lists, Marshall doubled down on his loyalty and delivered a vivid, Mavs-centric fantasy lineup that celebrated the franchise’s storied and sometimes overlooked history.
“If we’re talking about my all-time starting five,” Marshall said with a grin during a summer media Q&A, “then I’m riding with my Mavs all day.”
He began with the obvious: Dirk Nowitzki at power forward. “That’s the heart of the franchise,” Marshall stated. “There’s no Mavericks anything without Dirk. One-leg fadeaway, finals MVP, 2011 ring—lock him in.”
Fans cheered at the mention, but Marshall was just warming up. At center, he went with Tyson Chandler. “Tyson brought the edge,” he explained. “He anchored that 2011 defense. We don’t win that title without his rim protection and vocal leadership. Gotta show him love.”
At point guard, rather than going with Jason Kidd or current phenom Luka Dončić, Marshall surprised the crowd by selecting Jalen Brunson. “Listen, JB was a dog,” he said. “Smart, fearless, and efficient. He made everyone better and gave us real toughness. Still hurts seeing him in another jersey, but I’ll always ride for what he gave us.”
The shooting guard spot sparked more buzz when he named Michael Finley. “Fin was the ultimate pro,” Marshall said. “Put the team on his back before Dirk even hit his prime. Played both ends, could get buckets from anywhere. His loyalty and grit set the tone.”
That left small forward, and fans were on the edge of their seats. Many expected Josh Howard or even Luka again, but Marshall took it a step further.
He leaned into the mic and said with a smirk: “Me. I’m taking that last spot. Not just because I’m here, but because I believe I can impact the game the way those guys did—in my own way.”
The crowd erupted. Bold? Absolutely. But fans respected the confidence. In a league that often celebrates humility to the point of passivity, Marshall’s declaration was a reminder of the swagger that built champions. He wasn’t claiming he was better than the others; he was expressing belief, drive, and a desire to write his own legacy in Mavs lore.
Later, social media lit up with fan art of Marshall donning a jersey next to Dirk, Chandler, Brunson, and Finley. “NAJI 5” trended locally, and talk radio dissected his picks for days. It wasn’t just a list—it was a statement of allegiance and ambition.
In giving his all-time Mavericks starting five, Naji Marshall gave fans more than a lineup. He gave them belief.
