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

NBA Legend Dwight Howard Makes Bold Nikola Jokic Statement

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Nov 19, 2024 7:08 PM ET

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

The former All-Star gets a lot of credit for the role he played on the 2020 NBA Championship Lakers when he was able to slow down Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

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.

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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