It appears practically tricky for any one family to secure more than one NBA roster slot, as there are about 450 players on the roster at any given time. However, a select few homes have been successful in fielding not just one but many players. A few even currently have at least two representatives listed on their rosters.
These families have drawn our focus for this exercise, which is a comprehensive, utterly objective rating of the best NBA families for 2020–21. Now, before we begin, a few things. This isn't at all objective because, well, how exactly do you objectively rank families? As an alternative, we subjectively combine the factors most relevant to this discussion, such as productivity and awards, as well as less concrete issues like impact, influence, and visibility.
We're also only considering NBA players who are siblings, so father-son teams like Doc and Austin Rivers and cousin pairs like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker won't be considered. Since we are only looking at current players, former NBA brothers (such as Dominique and Gerald Wilkins and even Pau and Marc Gasol) receive nothing more than this hat nod. Has everyone understood the task? Let's go on to the rankings now.
These families have drawn our focus for this exercise, which is a comprehensive, utterly objective rating of the best NBA families for 2020–21. Now, before we begin, a few things. This isn't at all objective because, well, how exactly do you objectively rank families? As an alternative, we subjectively combine the factors most relevant to this discussion, such as productivity and awards, as well as less concrete issues like impact, influence, and visibility.
We're also only considering NBA players who are siblings, so father-son teams like Doc and Austin Rivers and cousin pairs like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker won't be considered. Since we are only looking at current players, former NBA brothers (such as Dominique and Gerald Wilkins and even Pau and Marc Gasol) receive nothing more than this hat nod. Has everyone understood the task? Let's go on to the rankings now.
The Lopez Family
Brook and Robin Lopez, the Lopez twins, are praised for being distinctive. There aren't many 7-foot identical twins to begin with, and we doubt there are many comic book and Disney fans who are NBA professionals in their second decade within that group.
Each player has played in nearly 900 regular-season games. Brook is a 20-point scorer and All-Star. Robin has played in all 82 games three times in four seasons and has started over half of his career's games. Although they are both in the latter stages of their careers, they have managed to stay relevant. Brook reinvented himself as the deliciously named "Splash Mountain," a gigantic sniper. Robin continues to clown guys with his sweeping hook shot and has yet to be out-hustled by an opponent.
The Holiday Family
The holidays are moments in time - and for the Holiday family, one such moment in time was historic. Jrue, Justin, and Aaron Holiday made history in December 2019, when they participated in their first NBA game as a family unit. When asked at the time, Jrue told Fox Sports Southwest's Erin Hartigan, "This is extremely nice, but I feel like it's typical for us. We have always done everything together throughout our entire lives."
They've shared the NBA stage since Aaron joined the family company as the 23rd overall choice in 2018. Jrue was twice named to the All-Defensive Team and was previously an All-Star. Justin is a self-made rotation regular who graduated from Washington University in 2011 undrafted and didn't begin playing regularly in the NBA until 2014. As a Pacers reserve, Aaron has demonstrated a potent quick-strike scoring punch.
The fact that their sister Lauren may have been the best of the lot before head problems forced her to terminate her playing career at UCLA is worth mentioning, even if it has no bearing on the ranking.
The fact that their sister Lauren may have been the best of the lot before head problems forced her to terminate her playing career at UCLA is worth mentioning, even if it has no bearing on the ranking.
The Ball Family
Isn't their family name quite ironic?! The Ball family is known for getting people talking, and patriarch LaVar is frequently the catalyst. Some will assert that this ranking has more to do with reputation than performance, which will spark discussion. By the way, they are correct - just not how they believe.
These rankings take influence into account, and few basketball families have a more comprehensive global influence. Compared to Lonzo, who has 9.4 million Instagram followers, LaMelo has 6.7 million (0.5 million more than Giannis Antetokounmpo). Even LiAngelo, who hasn't progressed past the G League (yet), has 2.5 million followers on Instagram. Reach like that matters. If you disagree, let us remind you who created the arbitrary standards. However, there are also basketball-related reasons for this positioning.
These rankings take influence into account, and few basketball families have a more comprehensive global influence. Compared to Lonzo, who has 9.4 million Instagram followers, LaMelo has 6.7 million (0.5 million more than Giannis Antetokounmpo). Even LiAngelo, who hasn't progressed past the G League (yet), has 2.5 million followers on Instagram. Reach like that matters. If you disagree, let us remind you who created the arbitrary standards. However, there are also basketball-related reasons for this positioning.
Regardless of whether he can recover from a shattered wrist, LaMelo should already be the Rookie of the Year (and it sounds like he will be at some point). The 6'6" playmaker has an uncanny knack for passing (7.7 assists per 36 minutes compared to 3.5 mistakes), scoring ahead of schedule (20.0 points per 36 minutes), and shooting (2.5 threes per 36 minutes at a 37.5 percent clip).
Lonzo is a multi-positional defender who consistently improves as an attacking threat. He also makes some of the best look-ahead passes in the game. His stat line for 2020–21 features several career highs, including 14.1 points, 3.0 three-pointers, and an actual shooting percentage of 55.9.
Lonzo is a multi-positional defender who consistently improves as an attacking threat. He also makes some of the best look-ahead passes in the game. His stat line for 2020–21 features several career highs, including 14.1 points, 3.0 three-pointers, and an actual shooting percentage of 55.9.
The Antetokounmpo Family
There will be disagreement over this ranking on both sides. The position will be too high for some people, given that Kostas Antetokounmpo isn't even a marginal rotation player like Thanasis Antetokounmpo. It will likely be low for others because Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, has probably already carved his name into this generation's basketball Mount Rushmore.
The Goldilocks principle can be quickly applied to determine the accurate ranking. Even though the family is known as Giannis and the Antetokounmpos, all three children are members of the Association. A fourth Antetokounmpbro might join the group sooner rather than later if all goes well for younger brother Alex in Europe. You're also clutching at straws when you criticize the opening acts if the headliner is among the top five in his field.
The Goldilocks principle can be quickly applied to determine the accurate ranking. Even though the family is known as Giannis and the Antetokounmpos, all three children are members of the Association. A fourth Antetokounmpbro might join the group sooner rather than later if all goes well for younger brother Alex in Europe. You're also clutching at straws when you criticize the opening acts if the headliner is among the top five in his field.
Giannis is an All-Galaxy superstar, a real-life version of a Monstar, who has spent at least 6% of his career minutes playing each of the five positions. It's only because it's so difficult to imagine other players with the same size-skill combination emerging that he isn't seen as an evolutionary force in the sport.
The family isn't not a novelty act. Thanasis is a defensive monster who has scored in double digits four times this season. Even though Kostas, a 23-year-old in his third NBA season, is still figuring things out, he has the physical tools to carve out a niche. Those two might not have much of an impact on the situation alone, but remember that Giannis is already driving things to a fever pitch. It just so happens that his brother gives him a more considerable boost than another multi-time MVP.
The family isn't not a novelty act. Thanasis is a defensive monster who has scored in double digits four times this season. Even though Kostas, a 23-year-old in his third NBA season, is still figuring things out, he has the physical tools to carve out a niche. Those two might not have much of an impact on the situation alone, but remember that Giannis is already driving things to a fever pitch. It just so happens that his brother gives him a more considerable boost than another multi-time MVP.
The Curry Family
Dell Curry finished his 16-year NBA career in 2002 ranked 10th in most career triples in NBA history (1,245). His 40.2 connection rate was ]11th-best among the 92 players who had amassed 500 or more triples by that point.
Objectively speaking, he was one of the most skilled shooters ever to play on an NBA court. Thus, it may not be all that strange to find his kids, Seth and Stephen, contributing to the outside shot's modernization.
In 2020, Julien Pretot of Reuters interviewed Dell, who revealed his strategy: "I taught my sons the principles of the game and the fundamentals of shooting. Of course, being around the game and observing some of the top players in the world, my squad mates, helped teach them how the pros go about accomplishing it. They needed to have their work ethic and dedication. However, they were required to exercise their self-control and commitment.
Objectively speaking, he was one of the most skilled shooters ever to play on an NBA court. Thus, it may not be all that strange to find his kids, Seth and Stephen, contributing to the outside shot's modernization.
In 2020, Julien Pretot of Reuters interviewed Dell, who revealed his strategy: "I taught my sons the principles of the game and the fundamentals of shooting. Of course, being around the game and observing some of the top players in the world, my squad mates, helped teach them how the pros go about accomplishing it. They needed to have their work ethic and dedication. However, they were required to exercise their self-control and commitment.
Whatever Dell said was apparently retained in his boys' minds. What Steph and Seth discovered was the groundwork for this generation's most dominant NBA brother team. Steph is the main attraction. Three championships, two MVP awards (one of them being the only unanimous winner in league history), and seven All-Star selections don't do justice to his enormous influence on the game. He has altered what's considered possible and expected of a shooter by displaying a never-before-seen combination of infinite range, disorienting handling, and ludicrous efficiency.
No one in that class, including Seth, is a top sharpshooter in the league. He is one of just two shooters with at least 400 threes and a splash rate of 43 percent since 2016–17. Additionally, he is developing as a facilitator and adding runners and floaters to his inside-the-arc repertoire with a feather-soft touch.
In the current game, there isn't another set of siblings with a celebrity on Steph's level and a supporting actor like Seth.
Key Takeaways
Outlined above are some of the best family members to have played in the NBA. Not only did they make a name for themselves, but for their family as well! These players have roster scores that are off the charts and are praised by many. Are you a fan of any of these NBA-performing families?!
No one in that class, including Seth, is a top sharpshooter in the league. He is one of just two shooters with at least 400 threes and a splash rate of 43 percent since 2016–17. Additionally, he is developing as a facilitator and adding runners and floaters to his inside-the-arc repertoire with a feather-soft touch.
In the current game, there isn't another set of siblings with a celebrity on Steph's level and a supporting actor like Seth.
Key Takeaways
Outlined above are some of the best family members to have played in the NBA. Not only did they make a name for themselves, but for their family as well! These players have roster scores that are off the charts and are praised by many. Are you a fan of any of these NBA-performing families?!