Feb 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) dribbles as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the game at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

NBA Legend Dirk Nowitzki Shares Glowing Nikola Jokic Take

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 8:12 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets have been on a tear to start their 2025-26 season, winning ten of their first 12 games as they sit in second place in the Western Conference, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder. Of course, this incredible start to the season has largely been carried by Nikola Jokic, who has put together some unbelievable performances.

The three-time MVP center is averaging 28.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, but more impressively, is shooting 67.2% from the field and 42.6% from three-point range.

Jokic's efficiency has been historic to start the season, and as he continues to make this type of impact, he cements himself as one of the greatest players in league history. Jokic even received some recent praise from NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, arguably the greatest international player the NBA has ever seen.

"He’s incredible. With the lack of athleticism, you really have to say that he's arguably the best player in the world. Just skill level out of this world. How he reads the game, his basketball IQ, it's just incredible," Nowitzki said about Jokic in an interview on Haymaker.

Of course, Jokic has cemented himself as one of the best players in the world, finishing top two in MVP voting in each of the past five seasons, but Nowitzki giving him that title is certainly a big deal.

Nowitzki explains Jokic's greatness

"He's just so big and overpowering with little guys. See, with me, you could always get away with guarding me with little guys... but he is just so big that you cannot guard him with little guys. He just makes it impossible. And he's so good as a rebounder, too," Nowitzki continued. "And with the big guys, he just draws them out. You can post them, you can draw them out, run the pick-and-roll. He's got the three-point shot now."

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Hall of Fame forward admits how Jokic is a much tougher matchup than he was, and that is notable coming from a 14-time All-Star who revolutionized the game.

"What impresses me is how he reads the game, and the passing is just next level. So I've always been a fan, obviously, of his game, how he plays the game," Nowitzki finished.

Jokic continues to earn love from the legends that came before him, especially as he represents the new era of European superstars, similar to Nowitzki.