Dec 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Russell Westbrook (4) look on in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

'One of the Best Players in the World' – Denver Nuggets Star Receives Unique Praise From 4-Time DPOY

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 12:39 PM ET

Rudy Gobert recently appeared on The Young Man & The Three to discuss several NBA topics, including his on-court rivalry with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

“When I wake up and I get to play Jokic, I am always grateful that I get to try to stop one of the best players in the world,” Gobert said about Jokic.

“The way his brain works, the way he is able to adapt to situations, and most of the time make the right play, and doing it while tired, doing it while playing a lot of minutes,” he added. “I think that’s what makes him unique.”

Nov 10, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) following the win over the Dallas Mavericks at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Gobert and Jokic have faced off countless times in the Western Conference over the past few years. In their most recent playoff matchup, Gobert’s Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Jokic’s Denver Nuggets in seven games during the 2024 Western Conference semifinals.

Denver Nuggets News: Cameron Johnson predicted to have a breakout year

The Denver Nuggets brought in Cameron Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets this offseason, and ESPN’s Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton believe the 29-year-old swingman will enjoy playing alongside Nikola Jokic.

Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) reacts during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

“Given the remarkable similarity between Johnson’s production for the Brooklyn Nets and the production of the player he’s replacing in Denver (Michael Porter Jr.), one of the fascinating questions going into this season is whether Johnson will perform better now that he gets to team with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic,” they wrote.

“Nuggets newcomers since 2018-19 who have attempted at least 100 triples have shot about one percentage point better in Denver (37.2% compared with 36.2% over the previous three seasons),” they added.