Charles Barkley Says That Nikola Jokic Is Taken For Granted, Calls Him "The Best Basketball Player In The World"

In the early stages of the 2025–26 NBA season, fans have witnessed MVP-caliber performances from young studs and grizzled veterans alike. For Charles Barkley, one MVP contender isn’t getting the love that he deserves.

During ESPN’s pregame coverage on Wednesday, the longtime “Inside the NBA” analyst gave his two cents on Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić. According to the Chuckster, the NBA community is doing Jokić a disservice by failing to recognize him for who he really is.

“We’re just taking this dude for granted, man,” Barkley said of the Joker. “He is the best basketball player in the world. He’s going out there getting easy triple-doubles, and he ain’t getting them flukey, like 10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists. He’s getting 25, 16, and 17.”

To be exact, Jokić has been averaging 26.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game as the Nuggets have raced off to an 8–2 start. As impressive as Jokić’s numbers have been, Barkley’s most famous frenemy brought up another player who has earned tremendous respect this season.

“I agree with everything that you’re saying about the Joker, but don’t discredit what Wemby is doing,” Shaquille O’Neal chimed in.

The self-proclaimed “President of the Big Man Alliance” may have a point there, as he makes a case for the 7-foot-4 French phenom. In his third year as an NBA player, Victor Wembanyama is putting up 25.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG, and a league-leading 3.9 blocks per outing.

Barkley, though, would not be fazed. When asked to list his top MVP contenders, he doubled down on his earlier claim. “Joker, Luka, and Wemby,” Barkley said. “You’re tripping,” O’Neal and Kenny Smith retorted.

“You’re tripping,” O’Neal and Kenny Smith retorted.

And then, just as loyal viewers have seen countless times on “Inside,” the conversation devolved into a petty argument between the two former NBA MVPs on the set. “You don’t wanna give Joker no credit because you think he’s getting compared to you,” Barkley told Shaq. “Joker would’ve killed you… Wemby would’ve been hurting kids in the front row, blocking your shots.”

Never one to be outdone, O’Neal fired back. “Stop it. I’d have him dunking like I had you dunking. Quack quack.”

Amidst all the childish humor, there’s no denying that these all-time greats of the sport have much admiration for the superstars of today and tomorrow. As far as Barkley is concerned, Jokić deserves to be held in the highest regard among all the legends in the making.