Nikola Jokic's ex-teammate fires 4-word clapback at ex-NBA star's claim on Karl-Anthony Towns
Three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams sparked a lot of debate with a bold statement about star centers Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns. He claimed that Towns is more skilled than Jokic.
On a Wednesday's episode of the “Run It Back Show,” Williams said:
“Karl-Anthony Towns is more skilled, but Nikola Jokic is more impactful.”
Bones Hyland, a former teammate of Nikola Jokic with the Denver Nuggets, strongly disagreed with Williams, responding on X (formerly Twitter):
“Lost ya mind brother.”
Hyland, who played a season and a half alongside Jokic in Denver before being traded to the LA Clippers, had been part of the Nuggets’ roster prior to their 2022 championship win. During his time with Denver, he earned an All-Rookie Second Team selection.
Nikola Jokic, selected 41st in the 2014 draft, has averaged 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists over his career. He has been named to six All-Star games, won three MVP awards and led the Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023, where he won Finals MVP.
In comparison, Towns, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, has averaged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He has been selected to four All-Star games and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
This offseason, Towns was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks.
Nikola Jokic’s teammate hints at possible roster shakeup if 2024 season falls short
After a shaky start to the season, the Nuggets have found their rhythm, winning 4 of their last 5 games.
However, these victories have come against teams that are not expected to make the playoffs, such as the Toronto Raptors (twice), Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz, with only the Jazz game ending in a blowout.
In an 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 Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon both sidelined.