NBA

Gilbert Arenas says Nikola Jokic is better than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in one shocking aspect

Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas shared one of his hottest takes yet, talking about Nikola Jokic's Draft value over other legends of the game.

Nikola Jokic
© Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesNikola Jokic

No one, not even the most optimistic Denver Nuggets fan, ever thought that Nikola Jokic was gonna turn out to be so great. He was taken 41st overall in the NBA Draft during a Taco Bell commercial, and not many people knew about him.

Jokic worked his way up, even making the Nuggets part ways with Jusuf Nurkic to make him the starting center for the team. Now, he’s a two-time MVP, and one of the greatest foreign players of all time.

That’s why former NBA player Gilbert Arenas believes that Jokic is actually the greatest NBA Draft pick since Michael Jordan in 1984, even ahead of other legends like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Advertisement

Gilbert Arenas Says Nikola Jokic Is The Greatest NBA Draft Pick Since Michael Jordan

“This is really, really a hot take; Joker is the best draft pick since Michael Jordan, 1984,” Arenas said. “LeBron is a number one pick. So, the Number one pick is supposed to play like the number one pick. Jordan was the number three pick, which actually helps his boost of what he did. Joker was a second-round pick, so for a second-round pick to actually play like a number one pick. That makes him the second-best draft pick by his numbers. Two-time MVP, bout to be three-time MVP, four-time All-NBA player. Those numbers will actually beat second for his projections.”

“Third would be Kobe Bryant,” Arenas continued. “You could argue Kobe was the second-best pick, but because Joker is so far second round he has to be the number two. You gotta understand, the second round pick, that is two years, and you are gone.”

Advertisement

That might seem like a hot take, but Arenas could actually be right on point here. From a value standpoint, it’s hard to argue that any other second-round pick has been better than Jokic thus far.

ALSO READ

Derek Jeter mocks Yankees' new grooming rule with a hilarious post
MLB

Derek Jeter mocks Yankees' new grooming rule with a hilarious post

Tim Hardaway reveals major details about Isiah Thomas’ exclusion from the 1992 Dream Team
NBA

Tim Hardaway reveals major details about Isiah Thomas’ exclusion from the 1992 Dream Team

Chiefs key free agent sends clear message to Andy Reid about his future
NFL

Chiefs key free agent sends clear message to Andy Reid about his future

All-Star Tyler Herro issues strong warning to the Heat for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season
NBA

All-Star Tyler Herro issues strong warning to the Heat for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season

Better Collective Logo