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NBA: Could a Team Europe now beat a Team USA?

By Luke Duffy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug following a game at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug following a game at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NBA stars Nikola Jokic vs Kevin Durant

We’re cheating here a little bit, because Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is not only a center, he might just be the best big in the league today. Right now he is having another MVP time season, and boasts probably the most unique skillset at the position. Which is why playing him alongside Gobert in a theoretical team can actually work.

27.5 points this season (career 17.6) is ridiculous, and the 8.5 assists are not only another career high, but the fourth highest in the entire league. Think of the passers and playmakers in the league today. Chances are Jokic ranks ahead of them. If you were looking to start a team and could pick anybody, Jokic would not be far from the top.

The matchup with Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets is an interesting one too. Durant is also seeing considerable time at the five since James Harden joined him and Kyrie Irving, and it remains to be seen how much he is enjoying this role. No matter where he plays though, the scoring exploits of Durant mean you could make the case he is the greatest scorer in league history.

He plays and moves like a guard, but at 32 what he is able to do on a basketball court has been well documented. Much like all the matchups here, if you take the full careers and skills of Jokic and Durant into account, Durant is winning this contest. He’d win against most players from any era, European or not.

If the game were to take place today, and given that this was my idea let’s say for arguments sake that it is, then would you give Jokic the nod? Durant is putting up 29.5 points (and 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for what it is worth) on a Nets franchise with designs on the finals. He is doing so having missed all of last season with an achilles tear. He could yet be the MVP. That is amazing.

Jokic however is only 25, and we are most likely yet to see the best of him. That seven year age gap, the fact Jokic hasn’t had any major injury setbacks to this point and his excellent game, mean that he might be able to take Durant now. But only just. Really though, there are no wrong answers here.