RealGM

ok, ok, you all know where this is going ... all the talk about Kobe/Lakers as of late, let's put this to rest "realgm style" ... Polls never lie right?
Choose wisley!

All time who's better and who deserves it more?

Anthony Davis or Pau Gasol

I'm not voting for at least 2 weeks

AD highlights



Pau Gasol highlights

I think very similar level of player. I think Davis is a slightly better player but Pau had the better career so far.

AD is the better player no question and is already ahead of Pau in the all time rankings. I think the bigger question is whether AD can catch up to some of the more consensus top all time bigs (KG, Malone, Barkley, D-Rob, Dirk, etc). He has the talent for it but we'll see how the rest of his career plays out.

Pau I just think did more and got more out of himself.


AD was definitely a better player.

Peak AD is a better player, but Pau had the better career the way things are trending with Davis now.

Pau is nowhere near AD. The defensive and scoring gap is ridiculous, and AD had a way higher peak.

As much as I love Pau, there's no real discussion here.

Talent pool nowadays is better though, so AD isn't really a 1st tier of superstars besides 2020 playoffs and 2014/15 regular season, so league level-adjusted comparison (their position in the league in their primes) would be probably closer. Still AD comfortably.

AD is a bit better when healthy, but Pau is underrated, people who act there is a huge gap between these two either underrate Pau huge, or overrate AD. Pau is arguably one of greatest FIBA players ever also.

UcanUwill wrote:AD is a bit better when healthy, but Pau is underrated, people who act there is a huge gap between these two either underrate Pau huge, or overrate AD. Pau is arguably one of greatest FIBA players ever also.

The gap is rather large between the two.

Pau never made an all defensive team. AD achieved it 5 times, all defensive first team 3 times.

Pau never made an all NBA first team. AD achieved it 4 times.

Anthony Davis is the only player to win an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship, an Olympic Gold Medal, and a FIBA World Cup.

UcanUwill wrote:AD is a bit better when healthy, but Pau is underrated, people who act there is a huge gap between these two either underrate Pau huge, or overrate AD. Pau is arguably one of greatest FIBA players ever also.

AD won a title averaging 28-10-4 on 67TS% with elite defense. You can realistically argue that he peaked higher than Karl Malone or Charles Barkley. AD was also 3rd in MVP voting averaging 28-11-2-3 with elite defense. This is also something beyond anything that Pau was able to achieve.

The gap isn't huge because AD is injury prone and he's still active - AD since his 2nd season played 723 games, and Gasol played 1055 games between 2001 and 2016 were he averaged 18-10-3. This is a difference of four full seasons, so due to longevity this comparison is closer than it looks, but thats the problem of comparing active and retired players.

But I don't think there's any doubt who is convincingly a better player. That's AD.

UcanUwill wrote:AD is a bit better when healthy, but Pau is underrated, people who act there is a huge gap between these two either underrate Pau huge, or overrate AD. Pau is arguably one of greatest FIBA players ever also.

AD's defensive is a game changer. Maybe if we were comparing them just on offense I would see your point.

This feels like comparing Kawhi to Harden. You always take the 2 way player.

It's complicated... AD is better and it's not particularly close imo, Gasol never quite got to that level. Otoh, the best ability is availability so I think I'd rather have Gasol.

I'm going with the player that stays healthy. It ain't "Street Clothes".

Pau was allergic to playing defense. It's AD easily IMO.

AD everyday. Always take the guy who can play both end of the floor.

Maverick41 wrote:AD is the better player no question and is already ahead of Pau in the all time rankings. I think the bigger question is whether AD can catch up to some of the more consensus top all time bigs (KG, Malone, Barkley, D-Rob, Dirk, etc). He has the talent for it but we'll see how the rest of his career plays out.

AD is 32 years old, he would need to have an MVP caliber year this season and then win the championship the season after (not possible for obvious reasons this season) for this to happen.

AD better peak and prime.

Pau better career, both NBA and international.

Really tough call. I guess I'd go Pau due to consistent availability. I wouldn't fault anyone for choosing AD on the basis that at his best he's better though.

zimpy27 wrote:I think very similar level of player. I think Davis is a slightly better player but Pau had the better career so far.

AD was a way better player. AD at his peak was a top 5 player in the league and a top 10 player for subsequent years. Pau was never top 10 always in the 15-20 range.

This is actually a neat comparison in ways. Both players had a finals run where they didn’t get FMVP despite having equally impactful performances as the player who won FMVP

I consider AD the superior player quite handily but availability is important.

The Master wrote:

UcanUwill wrote:AD is a bit better when healthy, but Pau is underrated, people who act there is a huge gap between these two either underrate Pau huge, or overrate AD. Pau is arguably one of greatest FIBA players ever also.

AD won a title averaging 28-10-4 on 67TS% with elite defense. You can realistically argue that he peaked higher than Karl Malone or Charles Barkley. AD was also 3rd in MVP voting averaging 28-11-2-3 with elite defense. This is also something beyond anything that Pau was able to achieve.

The gap isn't huge because AD is injury prone and he's still active - AD since his 2nd season played 723 games, and Gasol played 1055 games between 2001 and 2016 were he averaged 18-10-3. This is a difference of four full seasons, so due to longevity this comparison is closer than it looks, but thats the problem of comparing active and retired players.

But I don't think there's any doubt who is convincingly a better player. That's AD.

I wanted to compare apples to apples so I looked it up.

Anthony Davis 13 years, 787 games. 18978 points, 8416 rebounds, 2009 assists, 1033 steals, 1815 blocks.
Pau Gasols first 13 years: 905 games, 16576 points, 8336 rebounds, 2981 assists, 486 steals, 1484 blocks.

I was leaning towards Gasol because availability, but after doing a side by side comparison of their first 13 seasons it's not even close. Despite playing in 118 less games over 13 years, Davis scored 2402 more points, grabbed 80 more rebounds, had 547 more steals and 331 more blocks. Gasol did have a clear advantage in assists.

Gasol had 2 more decent seasons after that before going into steep decline.