Nikola Jokic’s recent comments about the United States having more talented players than the rest of the world have reignited the conversation about a potential USA vs. The World All-Star Game format.
“The USA has more talented players than the rest of the world. Europe and the rest of the world has talented players, I think, but the majority of the players are coming from USA.”
The three-time MVP acknowledged the growing talent pool outside of the U.S. but emphasized that the majority of elite basketball players still come from America. While individual international teams might not be able to compete with Team USA, the idea of combining the best players from around the world to form a true challenger is gaining momentum.
The NBA has been searching for a way to revamp the All-Star Game, and the USA vs. The World format has been frequently discussed. Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo have already expressed their excitement for the idea, believing it would add pride and intensity to the event. Wembanyama called it “more purposeful,” while Antetokounmpo said it would give him “extra juice to compete.”
The idea is not without logistical challenges. About 70% of the NBA’s players are American, meaning it would be harder to fill a 12-man World roster without leaving out some deserving U.S. stars.
Although, if the game were played this season under that format, the World team could have included Jokic, Wembanyama, Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, and Alperen Sengun, all of whom were already 2025 All-Stars.
With a few more spots available, players like Domantas Sabonis, Jamal Murray, Deandre Ayton, or Franz Wagner could round out the roster.
On the other side, Team USA would still be an overwhelming favorite on paper, boasting superstars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker. However, the global team’s size, skill, and versatility could make for a highly competitive game.
Unlike past Olympic matchups where Team USA has dominated individual national teams, a combined international squad could present a serious challenge.
Jokic’s comments also bring up a broader discussion about the state of international basketball. Over the past five seasons, every NBA MVP has been a foreign-born player—Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020), Nikola Jokic (2021, 2022, 2024), and Joel Embiid (2023).
This season, the MVP race is once again led by Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, with Giannis as a distant third, meaning that an American player might not win the award until at least 2030.
Despite Jokic’s claim that the USA has more talent, the rise of international players dominating the MVP conversation and winning championships suggests that the gap between American and foreign-born talent is smaller than ever. Even Team USA has seen more competitive battles in the Olympics, including France pushing them to the limit in the 2024 gold medal game.
As the NBA looks for new ways to make All-Star Weekend more exciting, the USA vs. The World format remains a compelling idea. Draymond Green recently pointed out that hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament has been a success, and the NBA could take inspiration from it.
Kevin Durant, however, has expressed frustration with the constant negativity surrounding the league, even suggesting that All-Star Weekend should be canceled altogether.
Regardless of how the NBA proceeds, Jokic’s statement reflects an evolving league where the rest of the world is catching up fast. Whether in the form of MVP winners, championship contenders, or a future All-Star Game format, international players are proving they belong among the NBA’s elite.
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