ESPN’s Controversial “Big 3” Ranking Centers on Nikola Jokic’s Brilliance
Nikola Jokic’s name alone carries enough weight to elevate any NBA ranking—but ESPN’s latest list has pushed that notion to its limits. In its preseason ranking of the league’s top “Big 3s,” ESPN placed the Denver Nuggets’ trio of Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon at number two, sparking a fierce debate across the basketball world.
Many fans and analysts agree that Jokic’s presence justifies almost any accolade Denver receives. However, ESPN’s classification of the Nuggets’ trio as a “Big 3” has raised eyebrows, with critics arguing that it exaggerates the collective star power around the two-time MVP.
Jokic: The Center of Everything in Denver
For anyone who has watched the Nuggets closely, it’s clear that Jokic is more than just the centerpiece—he is the system. The Serbian superstar dictates every offensive possession, orchestrates plays like a point guard, and dominates the glass like a traditional big man. His combination of scoring, passing, and court vision has transformed the modern definition of a franchise player.
And while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon have been vital to Denver’s success, their resumes pale in comparison. Neither has made an All-Star, All-NBA, or All-Defense team, making ESPN’s decision to rank the group so high seem more like a tribute to Jokic’s individual impact than a reflection of the team’s collective star power.
“It’s not a Big 3—it’s a Big Jokic,” one NBA analyst remarked on social media, summing up what many observers believe.
Why ESPN’s Label Feels Off
Traditionally, the term “Big 3” refers to a trio of elite, often Hall of Fame-caliber players: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish in Boston; LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami; or Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson in Golden State.
By comparison, the Nuggets’ version looks unconventional. Jokic is undeniably generational, but Murray and Gordon serve as strong complements rather than equals. Their inclusion alongside other historic trios, some argue, diminishes what “Big 3” has come to represent.
“Jokic alone changes the gravity of any lineup,” ESPN’s Ben Handler noted in his breakdown. “Without him, the Nuggets are a good team. With him, they’re a championship contender. That tells you everything.”
The Changing Meaning of Superteams
The debate also highlights how much the NBA has evolved. The age of the superstar trio may be fading, replaced by teams built around depth, cohesion, and adaptability—qualities the Nuggets have in abundance.
Jokic embodies that evolution. He doesn’t rely on isolation plays or highlight-reel dunks to dominate. Instead, he controls games with patience, precision, and intelligence. His influence extends beyond the stat sheet, shaping how Denver plays and how opponents prepare.
Even critics of ESPN’s ranking acknowledge that Jokic’s individual brilliance makes any supporting cast look elite. “You could put Jokic with two solid role players, and ESPN would still have them in the top five,” joked one fan on X.
Fans React: Respect for Jokic, Doubt for the “Big 3”
The reaction from fans and pundits has been swift. Nuggets supporters took pride in the recognition, but many others saw it as an overreach.
“Jokic makes everyone around him look better,” one fan commented. “That doesn’t make it a Big 3—it makes him a once-in-a-generation talent.”
Others noted that while Murray’s playoff heroics and Gordon’s defensive consistency are valuable, Jokic remains the axis around which everything turns. “He’s the reason ESPN even talks about Denver in these conversations,” another analyst added.
What’s Next for Jokic and the Nuggets
Whether or not ESPN’s “Big 3” label sticks, Jokic isn’t one to care about media narratives. The 2023 Finals MVP continues to set new standards for unselfish excellence. His focus remains on winning, not recognition.
If Denver captures another championship in the next few seasons, the narrative may change—Murray and Gordon could earn their long-awaited individual accolades, and the trio might finally justify the title ESPN has given them.
Until then, the conversation remains simple: the Nuggets’ greatness begins and ends with Nikola Jokic.
Conclusion
ESPN’s ranking may have been intended as praise, but it ultimately underscores just how singular Nikola Jokic’s influence is. He doesn’t need a “Big 3” to validate his greatness—he defines success on his own terms.
In an NBA still obsessed with star groupings, Jokic stands apart: a one-man system, a selfless superstar, and the foundation of a team that wins by playing his way. And that might be the real story behind ESPN’s controversial list—Jokic is so extraordinary, he turns good players into stars just by sharing the floor with them.
Leave a Reply