Nikola Jokic
Mar 9, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone compared Nikola Jokic to LeBron James in terms of his impact on the teammates. Malone said that the Joker makes players around better, just like LeBron does.

Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports quoted Malone saying

“When I was in Cleveland we used to always laugh and we’d say, ‘Well, this player’s better with LeBron.’ Who isn’t? Here we say, ‘Well this guy’s better with Nikola.’ Same thing. Well, who isn’t?. Nikola is a great player who makes all his teammates better. I think the beauty of Nikola Jokic as your cornerstone and center piece is that Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap, whoever it is can play alongside him and do so in a really efficient and effective manner.”

The 24-year-old Nuggets’ star averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game last regula season. His numbers were even better during the playoffs as he was averaging 25.1 points, 13 rebounds and 8.4 assists during 14 playoff games.