NBA Legend Dwight Howard Makes Bold Nikola Jokic Statement

Dwight Howard spoke about Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

Jan 7, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) reacts to the fans after while leaving the court after the game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dwight Howard is one of the best defenders in NBA history.

The former All-Star gets a lot of credit for the defense he played on Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic during the 2020 NBA playoffs (he helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the title).

Even after his prime years, Howard was still able to give other big men problems.

Let’s go Team USA ! Jokic lucky I aint playing pic.twitter.com/zjqaFJK58o

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 8, 2024

Recently, Howard made a bold statement that (at 38) he could still give Jokic troubles.

Howard (via KG Certified): "If they'd allow me to hoop like they allow him to hoop, I bet you he won't have them numbers on me."

“Everything was a message.”

Dwight Howard had the clamps on Nikola Jokic in the bubble in more ways than one 🔒

KG’s full sitdown with @DwightHoward is available now on the KG Certified YouTube. pic.twitter.com/5fj573hEqI

— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) November 19, 2024

Howard most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he was with the Lakers for the third time.

He had averages of 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 61.2% from the field.

Jokic is currently averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 11.7 assists and 1.7 steals per contest while shooting 56.3% from the field and 56.4% from the three-point range in ten games.

He is coming off another dominant season where he won his third MVP Award.

Dwight Howard says he can still slow down Nikola Jokic

“If they allow me to hoop like they allow him to hoop, I bet you he won’t have those numbers on me.”

(🎥 @allthesmokeprod )

pic.twitter.com/Z5JRXvmmV0

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 19, 2024

Howard currently remains a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league.

The three-time Defensive Player of The Year was the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft (out of high school).

His career averages are 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per contest while shooting 58.7% from the field in 1,242 games.

He played 18 seasons in the NBA.