Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is a huge LeBron James fan. So, when Nacua was asked to pick his all-time NBA starting five, you knew James was going to be in there, but he surprisingly left off the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
“Puka Nacua’s All-Time Starting 5: Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal.”
Puka Nacua’s All-Time Starting 5:
Steph Curry
Luka Doncic
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Shaquille O’Neal
(Via @sloaneknows) pic.twitter.com/3wtY9EK3Bn
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 11, 2024
This is quite the modern team, with Shaquille O’Neal being the only retired player in there. Nacua is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but it is a bit puzzling to not have Jordan in there.
Maybe it’s just the fact that he was only born in 2001, so he never really saw the Chicago Bulls icon in action. Nacua would have seen Bryant play, though, but chose Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic over him.
NBA Fans React To Puka Nacua’s Starting Five
Nacua’s starting five quickly went viral on X considering he left out some big names. NBA fans had some interesting reactions to his lineup.
One wildly said Nacua needs to get some help.
doncic instead of jordan or kobe ? pic.twitter.com/UbBhVDW7Ig
— LeStephAnt (@StephAntMVP) March 11, 2024
A fan praised Nacua’s ball knowledge.
He definitely knows ball
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) March 11, 2024
One said it was a crime that Jordan wasn’t included.
Michael Jordan not being here is an actual crime 😭😭😭
— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) March 11, 2024
A fan was not surprised by Nacua’s five as he is so young.
What you expect? He like my son's age. They don't know anything past 2020
— Your Fav Sports Bettor’s Fav Sports Bettor (@FIVESTARINVEGAS) March 11, 2024
One said Nacua is a casual for not including Jordan or Kobe.
Dude is a casual to not include Jordan or Kobe
— The Lock$mith (@RipsAndSlips) March 11, 2024
While the picks might be a tad bit controversial, there is no denying the greatness of the players he chose. Curry has won four titles, a Finals MVP, two MVPs, and two scoring titles. His former teammate Durant, meanwhile, has won two titles, two Finals MVPs, an MVP, and four scoring titles.
As for O’Neal, who was by far the oldest selection, he won four titles, three Finals MVPs, an MVP, and two scoring titles. We then get to LeBron, who has four titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, a scoring title, and an assist title to his name. They are quite simply four of the greatest players we have ever seen.
Doncic hasn’t managed to accomplish any of that, which is why fans found it absurd that he was in there. The Slovenian will inevitably win the biggest prizes at some point, though, and will go down as an all-time great.
Puka Nacua’s Hilarious Admission About LeBron James
LeBron knows that Nacua is a big fan of his and the Los Angeles Lakers star showed him a lot of support during his rookie season. When the 22-year-old Nacua broke the Rams’ rookie record for receiving yards, James took to X to congratulate him.
“Congrats Puka on breaking the team rookie record for receiving yards!”
Congrats Puka on breaking the team rookie record for receiving yards! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 3, 2023
When Nacua was asked about LeBron’s post, he hilariously stated he would have kept it as his screensaver, if he didn’t have a girlfriend.
“I’m a huge LeBron fan, so stuff like that definitely doesn’t go over my head,” Nacua said. “I said in a group chat … if my girlfriend wasn’t my screensaver then LeBron posting would be.”
Nacua would end up breaking the NFL record for most receptions and yards by a rookie, finishing with 105 and 1,486 respectively. The Rams had selected him with the 177th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and to say he surpassed expectations would be an understatement.
His exploits even led to LeBron giving him the nickname “Puka Doncic,” which might be why he picked the Dallas Mavericks star for his all-time starting five.
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