Nikola Jokic is easily the best player in the NBA right now. The 2-time MVP is on track to land his first championship and has shown some imperious form along the way. Former NBA star Dwight Howard currently plays for the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League and recently made a comparison between himself and Jokic. Howard had claimed that he would be able to take on Jokic during his prime.
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A 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, Howard was criticized far and wide for his comments. On Instagram, the former LA Lakers center asked another controversial question to his followers. He questioned which player out of Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Al Jefferson could be counted upon to score past him during his prime.
Dwight Howard compares himself to Nikola Jokic on Instagram
Howard had a successful NBA career and won the 2020 championship with the LA Lakers. He was part of the reason why the Lakers were able to restrict Jokic during the Western Conference Semifinals.
Regardless, via his Instagram story, Howard asked fans who they thought out of Jokic, Embiid, and prime AI Jefferson could score over him during his prime. The scenario was that their team needed a single bucket to win.
Dwight Howard was a beast pic.twitter.com/Lx9ERxAXLa
— NewsMan (@WhenInDoubt4242) June 12, 2023
While Howard was an 8-time NBA All-Star, his accomplishments already pale in comparison with the likes of Embiid and Jokic. The two young centers are two of the most dominant big men the NBA has ever seen.
Recently speaking on Fanduel TV, Howard had said that he would dominate every play against Jokic, with a smile on his face. While most fans appeared to refute this, Howard continued to poke at the subject via his latest Instagram story.
Prime Nikola Jokic… or prime Dwight Howard?@DwightHoward is taking himself “ALL DAY, EVERYDAY!” 😂#RunItBack with @ShamsCharania @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons & @bansky pic.twitter.com/xeWCnH8sPx
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) May 29, 2023
While there is little doubt that Howard would have been a difficult opponent, Jokic has already proven himself against some arguably better defenders. The Denver Nuggets started their Playoff campaign against the Minnesota Timberwolves and have come up against some stellar defenders this season alone.
Dwight Howard continues to gain relevance in lieu of the NBA Finals
Dwight Howard has been as outgoing as he has ever been, since leaving the NBA a couple of years ago. He last played for the LA Lakers, with whom he won the first championship of his career.
Regardless, recently in May, Howard extended an invitation to multiple top-class stars, claiming that they should all join him in Taiwan. This includes the likes of James Harden, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons, basically a range of stars who were knocked out of the NBA Playoffs.
"They talking 'bout him coming back to Houston but I think this might be a better look, James Harden come on down too boy!"
Dwight Howard called out everyone to Taiwan 👀
Jordan Poole
Julius Randle
Ben Simmons
Deandre Ayton
Klay Thompson
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
James Harden pic.twitter.com/wPtqHh7QhO— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 16, 2023
The player had also claimed that he wanted to rejoin the NBA and win another championship. Regardless of what happens, it is clear that Howard’s recent activity is based on regaining relevance as far as the NBA was concerned.