How Players are More Fearful of Nikola Jokic Than Shaquille O’Neal – via Gilbert Arenas

Nikola Jokic helped the Denver Nuggets win their first NBA championship in the 2022–23 season. Apart from being the final MVP, he is the second center to earn that award. The first is Shaquille O’Neal, and hence a comparison is a must.

Nikola Jokic and Co. are just back from an ardent win against the Warriors. And Jokic dragged the team single-handedly to win the game. Shaquille O’Neal did the same with the Lakers in 2002. However, there’s one obvious element to the discussion when comparing “Superman” and “The Joker.”. 

Nikola Jokic is still not there yet

In a recent interaction on “Gil’s Arena”, a debate ensued about who was the most dominant big man. And of course, the center of the No. 1 team in the Western Conference popped up. Gilbert said, “They had to put in a zone cause they couldn’t stop him. You had to trap like you had to go down and double… everyone like they had to drag.” He added, “When he starts getting the defensive respect that Shaq was getting…but when you come to naturals like passing the ball around like we are giving him that because of the passing part of it.” However, he also made it clear that Nikola Jokic is not yet at a stage where he can just score 40–50 every night with his already present skills.

Breaking down what he could do given his over-the-top passing abilities, the crew was not shy in admitting that, as individuals, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are far up the ladder than Jokic. However, when having a team comparison, a joker is no less than a gem for the Denver Nuggets. In such a situation, comparison with another big is much foreseen.

Shaquille O’Neal was an immovable object and an unstoppable force given his 7’1 stand, and his secret weapon was the free throw lines. However, Jokic is equipped to shoot from anywhere on the court. Jokic’s all-around effectiveness is unparalleled, and as Gill observes, Joker is much more fearful than Shaq.

Although there is a lack of resources to put up a proper comparison between the two, due to the fluctuating scales of media scrutiny back in the 2000s, Jokic can combine savvy with the shot. Not only that, the recent play against the Warriors clearly demonstrated why the Nuggets can rely on Jokic.

Nikola Jokic and Co. vs. the Dubs

After playing in back-to-back road games, the star players were exhausted, and that was well evident in yesterday’s game. And hence, it was more about which team could stick when the motivation was long gone. Nikola Jokic, with his massive 37-minute stint on the hardwood, somehow demonstrated how he can keep the team afloat.

With the injury scare sustained by Jamal Murray, Jokic is much more under the spotlight to deliver his best. Although Reggie Jackson and Michael Porter Jr. were a great help, Jokic couldn’t be placed on the bench for the entire first quarter.

Read More: Nikola Jokic Makes Fun of Nuggets Producer in Hilarious Fashion Minutes After Showing Humility About Being No.1 in the West

It’s a no-negotiator now that, although the league had many more capable centers, Nikola Jokic is much more fearful of Nuggets complementing his play.

Do you hold the same views? Let us know in the comment section.

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