Dwight Howard is one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. He won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award three times in his prime years during the late 2000s. However, even though NBA fans are used to Howard making bold claims, his latest hot take on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic will definitely make anyone do a double-take.
Dwight Howard made an appearance on the latest episode of Kevin Garnett’s KG Certified podcast. On the show, Garnett asked Howard about the possible outcome of him guarding the league’s best player, Jokic.
Howard, without a shred of doubt in his defensive abilities, revealed that he would match up perfectly against Jokic if the two were to face off in their current conditions.
If I’m out there, everything he’s doing, I’mma match it. If I’m getting the ball, I’mma dunk just as hard as he getting an assist. He ain’t finna getting all them rebounds on me… If they’d allowed me to hoop like they allow him to hoop, I bet you he won’t have them numbers on me.
Dwight Howard said
“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
Whether Howard’s words ooze confidence or over-confidence is anyone’s guess. Although his 38-year-old frame would make him one of the oldest players in the league, his acumen on the defensive end is undeniable. And, let’s not forget, he has a history with Nikola Jokic.
The two-star centers faced off in the 2020 NBA playoffs in the bubble when the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. Howard played significant minutes at the center position guarding Jokic in the series. The Lakers eventually did a great job restricting Jokic en route to a 4-1 series win to advance to the NBA finals.
Does Dwight Howard truly have an edge on Nikola Jokic?
Prime Dwight Howard was a mismatch for anyone he lined up against. However, during the later phases of his career, his decline was quite significant, forcing him out of the NBA after the 2022 NBA season.
Howard’s last stint was with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021-22 NBA Season. Nikola Jokic and Howard have played 13 games against each other throughout their careers, with Jokic averaging 16.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 65.1% true shooting.
However, these matchups account for many of Jokic’s early career games. The numbers are vastly different when we look at Jokic’s recent history against Dwight Howard. In their last matchup against each other in April 2022, Jokic put up an incredible stat line of 38 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists with a true shooting of 70.8%.
Jokic has won each of their last four matchups, with a career 8-5 record against Howard. Safe to say, on the back of 3 MVP winning seasons, a matchup between Jokic in his prime and present-day Howard might not favor the 38-year-old veteran.
