Pau Gasol didn’t need a long time to make his choice. During a rapid-fire game hosted by Air Geli, a professional 3×3 basketball player and owner of the Panthers 3×3 team, the former Los Angeles Lakers star picked Nikola Jokic over some of the biggest names in basketball history, but he eventually stopped short of one name.
Gasol’s picks caught the fans’ attention quickly.
The challenge began with Jokic versus Luka Doncic. Gasol immediately picked the three-time MVP. Then came Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. And every time the answer was Jokic.
The biggest surprise was when LeBron James entered the conversation. After a long pause, Gasol did end up picking Jokic again.
Only when Michael Jordan’s name came into the conversation did Gasol move away from the Denver Nuggets superstar.
There was another interesting moment before the segment ended. Someone off-camera asked Gasol to pick between Jokic and Kobe Bryant. Rather than answer, Gasol laughed and walked away, refusing to pick between his close friend and former Lakers teammate.
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This reaction was not surprising at all. Gasol spent seven seasons playing with Kobe for the Lakers, and they were one of the most dominant duos in the league. They reached three straight NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010 and won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. They were also extremely close off the court, with Gasol remaining one of Bryant’s oldest friends till his passing in 2020.
And for Jokic, it’s quite simple to see his admiration for the Serbian star. Jokic followed in Gasol’s footsteps and has completely redefined what an NBA big man can be. His passing, basketball IQ, and offensive genius make him the most unique player of his generation. The 31-year-old star already has three MVPs to his name along with a Finals MVP and a title. And he continues to put on one MVP-caliber season after another.
Choosing Jokic over Curry, Durant, and Giannis might be acceptable.
But choosing him over LeBron is where fans’ opinions really split.
James has built one of the greatest careers across sports, and his prowess has lasted over two decades. He has won four titles, four MVP awards, four Finals MVPs, and holds countless records that seem impossible to break. Even at 41 years old, he remains one of the league’s biggest stars and most productive players.
Gasol might have picked Jokic over LeBron, but that doesn’t mean that Jokic has had a greater career.
The format was designed in a way to choose players until only one remained. And that turned out to be Michael Jordan.
For many current and former NBA stars, that answer would be common. Jordan’s six titles, six Finals MVPs, and a flawless 6-0 Finals record continue to be the unmatched standard in the sport. And that might not change for a long time.
