NUGGETS

Magic Johnson puts Jokic in same breath as Jordan, Kobe and other legends

May 24, 2023, 10:59 AM

Nikola Jokic is on an all-time postseason run for the Denver Nuggets.

By capturing his eighth triple-double of the playoffs in Game 4 against the Lakers, Jokic set the record for the most in a single postseason, passing some guy named Wilt Chamberlain. You may have heard of him.

And Jokic’s numbers in the playoffs are just silly. In 15 games, he’s averaging 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists. Against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, two of those stats were even better.

In the four-game sweep, Jokic went for 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 11.8 assists. He had a triple-double in three of the four victories.

His performance is turning a lot of heads, and rightfully so, but the biggest praise yet may have come from an all-time NBA legend. Magic Johnson put Jokic in the same breath as some of the top basketball players in history.

Wow! Johnson’s Twitter is known for his straight-to-the-point tweets, and he’s not messing around here.

To say Jokic is “changing the game” like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal is wild. Those are literally the best to ever do it, while a few other guys belong on the list, including Magic himself.

But it feels like it’s not hyperbole to throw Jokic in those conversations. He won back-to-back MVPs, and clearly should’ve won three straight if the playoffs are any indication. He’s also four wins away from his first championship, the ultimate measure of success in the NBA.

We already know he’s one of the best big men of all-time, but could Jokic be trending toward being one of the best players of all-time? If you read that tweet from Magic Johnson, it looks like he’s headed that direction.

***

Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets waves to fans during the Denver Nuggets victory parade ...

Jake Shapiro

Nuggets watched play-in game together, sharing Serbian liquor

The Denver Nuggets are absolutely locked in but Nikola Jokic knows being focused can mean reflection and bonding as well, enjoying rakija

2 days ago

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 and Jamal M...

Jake Shapiro

How the Nuggets beat LeBron and the Lakers again in the playoffs

The Denver Nuggets path to repeat starts with a heavyweight bout against the longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers, this is how the teams matchup

2 days ago

Nikola Jokic aLeBron James...

Will Petersen

Nikola Jokic shows LeBron James love ahead of playoff rematch

"I really appreciate and really respect him. I think he's a really good basketball player," Nikola Jokic said of facing LeBron James

2 days ago

Jontay Porter Michael Porter Jr....

Jake Shapiro

Jontay Porter, brother of Michael Porter Jr., banned from NBA

The NBA banned Jontay Porter from the league on Wednesday, the former Toronto Raptors center was caught providing info to bettors

2 days ago

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denv...

Jake Shapiro

Nuggets open as giant favorite to beat Lakers in NBA Playoffs

The biggest favorite in the first round of the NBA Playoffs are the Denver Nuggets, they take on the Los Angeles Lakers again

2 days ago

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers last year, here's the schedule this year...

Jake Shapiro

Nuggets repeat bid starts Saturday against LA, here’s the schedule

The Nuggets chase for a second championship begins its playoff chapter on Saturday when they'll meet the No. 7 seed, here's the schedule

2 days ago

Magic Johnson puts Jokic in same breath as Jordan, Kobe and other legends