Dwight Howard will take his prime over Nikola Jokic: ‘Know how dominant I was’

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Dwight Howard raised a few eyebrows in late May when he said he would take his prime over that of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. 

Howard, who last played in the Taiwanese professional basketball league, elaborated on his comments in a recent interview with Complex, saying he'd take his prime over the current version of Jokic.  

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic celebrates during a rally and parade to mark the team's first NBA basketball championship on Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (AP)

Howard pointed to the differences between their two styles, saying he was putting up big scoring numbers without the help of a three-point game. 

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"So, people look at that and say, ‘Well, Jokic, he scores and does all this stuff.’ And no offense, I think he's great," Howard told Complex. "I love Jokic. I don't want people to think that I'm trying to hate, even comparing, but I'm going to take myself. I know how dominant I was, and I know what I could do with my skills. And on the defensive end and on the offensive end I was quick enough to get past everybody.

"And I love Jokic, and I'm happy for him," he continued. "I think he's one of the best centers that ever played the game of basketball, but I'm not going to throw dirt on my own name. I'm Dwight Howard. I know what I've done in this league." 

Jokic is coming off a season in which he nearly averaged a triple-double and led the Nuggets to the first championship in franchise history. 

Center Dwight Howard, #12 of the Taoyuan Leopards, reacts at the court during the T1 League game