Our man Shaq doesn’t hand out praise every day. So when he does sing about one player (or anyone else, for that matter), it’s worth checking it out. This week, Shaq and his friend Dwyane Wade spoke out on Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic.
As a former big himself, O’Neal’s got to be happy for the man they call “the Joker.” It’s not often that bigs find the spotlight these days. Sure, Shaq had plenty of spotlight and praise in his days with the Lakers, but how often does that happen in today’s game, with behind-the-arc shooters raining in all kinds of crazy shots? Not so much.
So, a big hats-off to the Joker and his Denver Nuggets teammates. After a long season that included two key players out for a time with injuries, the Nuggets have put themselves into the NBA playoffs. Much of the credit for that run into the tournament goes to the big guy in the middle: Nikola Jokic.
Jokic was an MVP selection for the 2020-21 season, but he certainly didn’t rest on any laurels after that. He spent the offseason working on his physique and his game, and this year he’s even better than last. Once again, The Joker is right in the middle of the conversation for MVP honors again this season.
In the game that cemented the playoff spot, Jokic showed off why he’s in that conversation. The Joker was no joke, scoring 35 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, getting 4 steals, and a making block.
Unlike other bigs in the league, Jokic is one of those rare players that can himself score pretty much any time he wants, but also makes things happen for the rest of his team, too. Analysts say it’s his playmaking ability that separates him from the rest of the bigs.
Click here to see the video from the image above.
More stats: With the game against the Grizzlies, Jokic becomes the first EVER NBA player to record 2000 points, 1000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season. Wow.
On a recent edition of TNT’s “Inside The NBA,” the crew talked about Joker’s game. Special guest Dwyane Wade called Nikola’s game “just beautiful,” and Shaq had nothing but praise as well.
Wade: “To see a big guy control the game the way Nikola Jokic does… It’s just beautiful!”
Of course it’s great to get love and appreciation from a couple of the games greatest, but that’s just the start. Playoff time is coming, and the Nuggets and their man Joker have to be ready to shift to the next higher gear. Will they make a deep run? Stay tuned!