Lodging the 9th triple-double of the 2023 playoff, Nikola Jokic had yet another huge performance. Putting up 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, the Joker was instrumental in the Denver Nuggets’ Game 1 win. Following the 11-point victory, the NBA TV panel hosted the Serbian for a short interview. During the same, Shaquille O’Neal ended up getting trolled by the 2-time Most Valuable Player.
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Shaq is a huge fan of Nikola and never misses any opportunity to mess around with him. Whether it is handing out new nicknames to the Denver leader or trying to speak in broken Serbian, O’Neal has always had a peculiar postgame interaction with the big man.
This time around though, it was Nikola’s turn to strike back. And strike back he absolutely did.
Nikola Jokic hilariously names Shaq as the guy he patterned his game after
During the NBA TV postgame segment, the Hall-Of-Fame panel – Shaq, Charles Barkley, and Grant Hill – asked the 5-time All-Star a few questions. At one point in the interview, Hill wanted to know if Nikola decided to pattern his game after any NBA big. The Detroit legend asked:
“Growing up overseas, who were the guys that you wanted to pattern your game after? We haven’t seen a big get in the game quite like you.”
To which, the 2023 WCF MVP hilariously named Shaq. But right after the 4-time champ had an awkward smile, Jokic immediately apologized:
“I’m joking, I’m joking.”
Why is it hilarious? the 7ft big man and Jokic might play the same position, but their styles are completely different.
While Nikola can handle, pass, and shoot the rock effectively, Shaq couldn’t. Instead, the Lakers legend simply used the god-given ability he had – to outmuscle absolutely everyone else in front of him. So, to call them similar would be something beyond a blatant lie.
“He’s a true definition of a great player”: Shaq on the Joker
Despite having postponed his Bahamas trip to watch the first two games of the Finals, it is pretty safe to say that Shaq enjoyed his time.
In the postgame show, the 51-year-old revealed how impressed he was after Nikola’s Game 1 outing. Heaping huge praises to the 5-time All-NBA player, O’Neal said:
“He’s the true definition of letting the game come to you… He’s a true definition of a great player. Not only does he make himself look great but makes everybody else look good. This is the new age era of the big man. This guy is super impressive as a big man and I’m happy I got to see him live.”
Only a few more such performances and we could be seeing the Joker lead the Nuggets to win their franchise’s first-ever title.
