Mahomes: “Kobe’s Better Than Curry, But Still Behind LeBron!”

October 10 — 5JL Latest Report. The Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise quarterback and reigning NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes recently went viral after appearing in a team-produced video where he played a fun “NBA one-on-one” selection game — choosing between some of the biggest basketball legends of all time.

While Mahomes dominates the gridiron, he’s also known to be a huge basketball fan and has interacted with several NBA superstars over the years. So when he shared his takes, fans paid close attention — and some of his answers definitely stirred debate.

Shaq vs. Jokic: Mahomes Picks Pure Power

The first matchup featured two generational big men: Shaquille O’Neal and Nikola Jokic.
Despite Jokic being the reigning MVP and often hailed as “a basketball god in Denver,” Mahomes sided with the Diesel.

He called O’Neal “the most dominant player ever”, recognizing his three-peat with the Lakers and three consecutive Finals MVPs as unmatched achievements. As Mahomes put it — Shaq’s impact was simply too massive to overlook.

Shaq Falls to KD

However, Shaq’s run didn’t last long in Mahomes’ bracket. After advancing past Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dirk Nowitzki, Shaq met Kevin Durant — and lost.
Mahomes explained his reasoning: “Shaq’s peak was unbelievable, but KD’s prime lasted longer.”

That longevity argument pushed Durant forward — though not for long.

KD Loses to His Former Teammate

Next came the highly anticipated Durant vs. Curry showdown — and Mahomes went with Stephen Curry.
He noted Curry’s consistency, leadership, and edge in championships: “Curry’s got more rings, even though he doesn’t have as many Finals MVPs.”

But the Cinderella run ended there, as Curry faced a true icon next.

Curry vs. Kobe: Too Tough to Call

When Curry matched up against Kobe Bryant, Mahomes visibly struggled. He admitted it was one of the toughest calls of the entire bracket, eventually leaning toward Kobe with a respectful nod — saying it was “too close to choose easily.”

Still, Kobe’s run stopped at the next stage.

Kobe vs. LeBron: The King Still Reigns

Mahomes had no hesitation when comparing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
He gave LeBron the edge, saying the Lakers legend was “incredible,” but LeBron’s all-around dominance, longevity, and versatility make him the superior player in his eyes.

Finally, LeBron met the ultimate challenge — Michael Jordan.

LeBron vs. Jordan: A “Draw” for the Ages

Mahomes declined to pick a definitive winner between LeBron and Jordan, calling it “too close to decide.”
That response perfectly summed up the ongoing GOAT debate in basketball: both are legends, and either could be considered the greatest of all time.

Final Thoughts

From the gridiron to the hardwood, Mahomes once again showed why he’s not afraid of tough questions.
His final verdict?

• Kobe over Curry
• LeBron over Kobe
• Jordan vs. LeBron — a tie

While his football skills are beyond debate, Mahomes’ basketball opinions have now sparked a whole new round of sports talk — and fans from both the NBA and NFL are loving it.