Is there anyone better than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant? The NBA has some of the best basketball players in the world. While some excel at either scoring or defending, some are just simply good at everything. And then some players make their opponents fervently pray for an off night. Veteran coach George Karl recounted Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal to be one such player. Just days after disrespecting the Big Aristotle, Karl revealed one aspect of O’Neal that he feared.

The former Head Coach recalls that one of the toughest players he had to deal with wasn’t Bryant or Jordan but O’Neal. “I mean, people ask me, who’s the most difficult guy I’ve ever had to prepare for? It wasn’t Michael. It wasn’t Kobe. It was Shaq. Most teams don’t have an answer for Shaq other than hope he doesn’t show up,” Karl said to Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson.

While reminiscing his game, the legend recalled that perhaps he was better than Jordan and Bryant. Karl even highlighted a few points to defend his statement. “Kobe was in his younger day, was unbelievable talent, but he didn’t learn how to be this fast. And he became after until about four or five years in the league. And, and then, of course, that Shaq right next to him.”

The veteran has coached for over 25 seasons in the league. And while you may expect Karl to name either LeBron James or Jordan as the toughest player, the answer is different and it hasn’t changed.

George Karl snubs star players to praise Nikola Jokic 

No, it’s not even Kobe Bryant. The former Seattle SuperSonics coach named Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic as one of the best players in the league. He stated that the Joker is even better than O’Neal and Jordan. “I’ve been around hoops for 50 years and I’ve seen a lot of incredible players, including Connie, Julius, Michael, Tim, Shaq, KAJ, Kobe, and LBJ. But, at this point, I’m thinking Jokic may be the best player I’ve ever seen play basketball,” Karl said about Jokic. 

Karl’s statement came after his former team Nuggets clinched a 114-103 win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1. As usual, Jokic’s performance of 32 points and 12 rebounds impressed the fans and veterans. Furthermore, in the same podcast, Karl suggested that the Nuggets should retire jersey number 15 for Jokic and another veteran player, Carmelo Anthony. 

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Melo is largely responsible for the franchise’s success. The legend has previously claimed the same. This would certainly be historic if the Nuggets were to do so because no team has ever retired one number for two players. What is your take on Karl’s suggestion? Let us know in the comments section below.