Pick one of the two players to start a franchise with in the current NBA

[Dr Hawk]

Dirk Nowitzki or Karl Malone

Nikola Jokic or Dikembe Mutombo

Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook

Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell

Charles Barkley or Larry Bird

Pau Gasol or Manu Ginobili

[Bosnian Sajo]

Dirk Nowitzki or Karl Malone

Nikola Jokic or Dikembe Mutombo

Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook

Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell

Charles Barkley or Larry Bird

Pau Gasol or Manu Ginobili


The last two were hard, But I figured since we've never seen Bird FULLY unleashed from the 3pt line, he'd dominate in this league. Manu over Pau because, imo, in today's NBA a SG like Manu is more important than a big man like Pau.

[SouBeachTalents]

Dirk easily

Jokic

Tough, but Iverson

Wilt

Bird easily

Manu

[qrich]

Dirk Nowitzki or Karl Malone

Dirk, without a question. He was dominant as a stretch four in a grittier era. Imagine him in this modern era. Oh my.


Nikola Jokic or Dikembe Mutombo

A blocking center, that provides little else isn't very valuable in the modern league. If you would've said Camby, that would've made it tough.


Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook

Too easy.


Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell

Charles Barkley or Larry Bird

Pau Gasol or Manu Ginobili

[RRR3]

Dirk
Jokic
Westbrook
Wilt
Bird
Manu assuming he can stay healthy. Health might worry me enough to pick Pau. Idk.

[pegasus]

Dirk Nowitzki or Karl Malone

Nikola Jokic or Dikembe Mutombo

Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook

Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell

Charles Barkley or Larry Bird

Pau Gasol or Manu Ginobili
AI and Manu were the easiest choices.

[Manny98]

Dirk
Mutombo
Russ
Wilt
Bird
Manu

[LostCause]

Dirk
Jokic
Iverson
Wilt
Bird
Manu

[Dr Hawk]

I'm surprised everyone picked Manu over Pau, specially taking into account the lack of durability of Manu.

[Reggie43]

Malone (easily)
Mutombo (hard)
Ai
Wilt
Bird
Pau

[ImKobe]

I'm surprised everyone picked Manu over Pau, specially taking into account the lack of durability of Manu.

Pau had enough time to prove himself as a franchise player and it didn't work out. 1 all-star selection and 0-12 in the Playoffs from 00-07.

I don't think Manu had many issues with his durability in his prime. You have to remember that Pop was always cautious with his players and gave them more rest than they sometimes needed. Manu was healthy for most of his career.

Pau himself dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career so I'd say it's about even in terms of durability. Manu is a better fit in this era because of his 3-point shooting. He had some prime seasons of 3-pt shooting with 38-40% at 4-5 attempts per game but he could probably take 7-8 in this era and he's not bad at finishing inside either.

As far as their careers go, Manu's 2005 championship run is more impressive than any of Gasol's.

[Wally450]

Dirk Nowitzki or Karl Malone

Nikola Jokic or Dikembe Mutombo

Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook yuck

Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell

Charles Barkley or Larry Bird

Pau Gasol or Manu Ginobili

I'd rather not have either Russ or AI.

[superduper]

I'd rather not have either Russ or AI.

Russ, AI, or Kyrie?

[insidehoops]

Good topic