In a surprising turn of events, former NBA player Lou Williams sparked a debate about the skills and impact of star centers Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns. During a recent episode of the “Run It Back Show,” Williams claimed that Towns is more skilled than Jokic but acknowledged that Jokic is more impactful.
This bold statement did not sit well with one of Jokic’s former teammates, Bones Hyland. The young guard, who spent a season and a half playing alongside the three-time MVP in Denver before being traded to the LA Clippers, quickly fired back on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Lost your mind, brother.”
Jokic, selected as the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has established himself as one of the league’s premier big men. Over the course of his career, the Serbian superstar has averaged an impressive 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Six All-Star teams have named him, he has won three MVP awards, and he led the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023, winning Finals MVP.
In contrast, Karl-Anthony Towns, the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, has put up stellar numbers of his own, averaging 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Four All-Star games have selected him, and he has earned Rookie of the Year honors early in his career. Towns’ trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks this offseason intensified the discussion about his abilities and impact in comparison to Jokic’s.
Nikola Jokic’s Teammate Hints At Possible Roster Shakeup
Despite finding their rhythm and winning 4 of their last 5 games, the Nuggets have recently defeated teams not expected to make the playoffs, including the Toronto Raptors (twice), Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz, with only the Jazz game ending in a blowout.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. acknowledged that the team might undergo major changes if the season doesn’t go as planned. Since their 2023 championship, the Nuggets have lost several key contributors, including Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
“If we don’t win it this year, we all know they might have to break it up,” Porter Jr. said. The Nuggets have struggled with bench production, averaging just 26.3 points per game, which ranks among the league’s bottom five. Injuries have also been an issue, with James Murray and Aaron Gordon both sidelined. Lou Williams: Karl-Anthony Towns is “more skilled” than Nikola Jokic.
Lou Williams, a former NBA player, expressed his assessment of Jokic and Towns candidly, stating that the newly-traded Knicks big man is “absolutely” a more skilled player than the Nuggets star.
“Is KAT a more skilled guy? Absolutely,” said Williams on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show. “But I think Jokic is more impactful [in] the way that he approaches the game. He doesn’t try to go out and be the best shooter—he tries to get the ball to the best shooter. He puts guys in a position to be successful outside of himself. I think that’s what sets them apart.”
Jokic’s former teammate, Bones Hyland, quickly defended the three-time MVP on X, saying, “Lost your mind, brother.” This season, Jokic has been doing everything for the Nuggets, who are 4-3 in the West, by averaging a triple-double of 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game.
Why Nikola Jokic Will Be DraftedKings King Of The Court On Wednesday
As the NBA season has officially arrived, DraftKings Sportsbook has launched a new market where users can bet on the player who will lead a slate in total points, rebounds, and assists—the “King of the Court.” According to Ryan Wohl, Nikola Jokic is the perfect pick for the King of the Court on Wednesday, November 6th.
“Jokic has totaled over 40 points, rebounds, and assists in all seven games this season and scored 50 or more in five of the previous six games,” Wohl wrote. “He is a machine at filling up the stat sheet.” The Nuggets face the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time this season, and Jokic is poised for a big performance after a relatively modest outing in their first matchup.
Given that Aaron Gordon’s right calf strain will keep the Nuggets without him for a few weeks, Jokic, who is already attempting nearly two more field goals per game this season, should see even more opportunities. Jokic has the second-best odds to be the King of the Court leader for Wednesday’s NBA slate, trailing only Luka Doncic on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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