When Nikola Jokić drops another near-triple-double, the basketball world runs out of superlatives. The Denver Nuggets’ all-world superstar has made the extraordinary feel routine—and Friday night’s NBA Cup win over Golden State was just another reminder. Jokić finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, leading Denver to a comfortable 129–104 victory.
But what really got people talking wasn’t just the stat line—it was his subtle postgame jab. After the game, Jokić joined Amazon Prime Video’s new NBA studio crew, featuring Taylor Rooks, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Udonis Haslem. Wrapping up the interview, Jokić smiled and said, “This is good, this is fun. Much better.”
Fans instantly picked up on the shade. “Much better” than what? Cue the Brian Windhorst meme.
It didn’t take long for NBA Twitter to connect the dots—Jokić was likely referring to his less-than-fond memories of being interviewed (and roasted) by the Inside the NBA crew, where Shaquille O’Neal once famously declared he’d “eat Jokić alive like Slavian chicken.”
The problem? There’s no such place as “Slavia.” Jokić is Serbian, and for someone as cerebral as the Joker, the misfire likely stuck.
To be fair, Shaq’s comment wasn’t pure disrespect—it was part of his classic big-man bravado, the same competitive energy that fueled legendary battles with Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, and Yao Ming. For Shaq, talking smack was never about hate; it was about hierarchy. In his mind, every great big man must earn their place in the lineage.
And if you know anything about Shaq, he’s always kept tabs on the giants who came after him. He’s praised Dwight Howard, mentored Joel Embiid, and occasionally challenged Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even his playful jabs toward Jokić come with a measure of respect—because deep down, Shaq recognizes game when he sees it.
Still, there’s a cultural gap between eras. Inside the NBA was born in the 1990s, when trash talk was an art form and thick skin was a prerequisite. The Amazon Prime crew, by contrast, reflects a modern, player-driven approach—one that prioritizes empathy, nuance, and a genuine understanding of today’s stars.
Shaq’s show remains an institution, though. Inside the NBA has outlasted multiple networks, formats, and rosters. It’s survived because it’s authentic—four personalities (Shaq, Chuck, Kenny, and Ernie) unfiltered and unafraid to say what fans might be thinking.
Jokić’s “much better” line might sting a little, but it’s also proof of Shaq’s lasting influence. Even the game’s newest legends are still measuring themselves against his era, whether they realize it or not.
Because when you’re Shaq—a Hall of Famer, four-time champion, and self-appointed sheriff of the paint—you’re not just part of basketball history. You are the standard that every new big man has to reckon with.