Nikola Jokic trolls Shaquille O’Neal by jokingly saying he wanted his game to be like the NBA icon’s

Nikola Jokic, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal would be a force on the basketball court, but we do know they’re a great threesome off it. 

The NBA greats have had longstanding banter, often seen through Jokic’s postgame interviews on TNT’s broadcasts. This time, it extended to NBATV with the two-time MVP laughing it up at O’Neal’s expense. 

When asked who he had modeled his game on Jokic said ‘I think it’s Shaq.’

‘That means a lot, thank you brother,’ O’Neal replied, as Grant Hill laughed. 

Jokic then admitted he was joking. Though, it didn’t stop ‘The Big Aristotle’ from lavishing the Serb in praise for his triple-double NBA Finals debut. 

The two-time NBA MVP celebrated following the Nuggets’ G1 Finals win over the Miami Heat

Jokic – who has great rapport with Barkley and O’Neal – had 27 points, 10 rebounds & 14 assists

‘One last thing, I don’t give a lot of props to a lot of big guys, but I give you all the props in the world, brother,’ he said. ‘Very, very, very, impressive to watch.’

Jokic was ostensibly honored by the compliments from O’Neal, who is renowned for his tough analysis. 

The 6-foot-11 sensation had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists as the Nuggets comfortably took care of the Heat in Game 1 of the Finals. 

As a result, O’Neal anointed Jokic as a member of the ‘Big Man Alliance.’ 

‘I give it up to you, big man, great game. And you know what? You are now a member of the Big Man Alliance,’ he said. 

Miami will have an opportunity to split the series at 1-1 when the teams once again meet at Ball Arena Sunday night.