Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is the “most dominant and complete player” he has ever played against. James offered the assessment during the Nov. 28 episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, which he co-hosts with Hall of Famer Steve Nash.
“What sets the Joker apart from everyone else?” Nash asked. James responded by praising Jokic’s all-around impact, calling the two-time MVP unrivaled in both dominance and completeness among all opponents he has faced in his 23-year career.
Jokic previously eliminated James and the Lakers in a 2023 Western Conference Finals sweep, a series that marked Los Angeles’ deepest playoff run since its 2020 championship. The Nuggets center averaged a near triple-double during that matchup, helping Denver secure its first NBA title days later.
James’ latest comments come during a season in which he and the Lakers are aiming for another championship push. The team has not yet faced Denver in the 2025-26 campaign, but the matchup is expected to be a key barometer in the Western Conference, where parity remains high.
The upcoming MVP race is also expected to feature Jokic alongside stars such as Luka Doncic—now James’ teammate—and reigning champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. James noted that Jokic’s ability to punish defenses as both scorer and facilitator separates him from other elite big men.
Los Angeles enters the season with a retooled roster that includes center Deandre Ayton, whose early efforts in pick-and-roll sets have drawn praise from both James and Doncic. The Lakers are monitoring how their new lineup stacks up against top contenders such as the Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Source: Lakers Nation
