Inside NBA Debate: Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama — Who’s Better?
Barkley backs Jokic, Shaq pushes for Wembanyama
On a recent Inside NBA segment the panel dug into one of the season’s big questions: who’s the better player right now, Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama?
Charles Barkley didn’t hesitate. He pointed to Jokic’s wild production and called him the best player in the world, citing massive triple-double-type numbers — for example, 25 points, 16 rebounds and 17 assists in games — as proof. Shaquille O’Neal jumped in to temper that take, saying he agreed with Barkley but warning people not to downplay what Wembanyama is doing.
The two went back and forth, noting that both Denver and San Antonio had strong starts to the season and similar records, so the impact on wins looks comparable at the moment.
Where Luka fits and the final take
Barkley then shifted the MVP conversation away from a straight Jokic-versus-Wembanyama fight and said the real contest right now is between Jokic and Luka Dončić. When asked to rank the top three, Barkley put Jokic first, Luka second and Wembanyama third — a ranking that surprised his co-panelists and sparked more debate.
Everyone agreed all three are tremendous talents, but Barkley emphasized Jokic’s track record and consistency, while Shaq reminded viewers not to overlook the extraordinary play Wembanyama has shown this season.
Bottom line: the debate is far from settled. Jokic’s experience and box-score dominance keep him in the MVP conversation, Luka’s elite play makes him a serious contender, and Wembanyama’s early performance proves he’s already a transformational player — one to watch as the season unfolds.
