During a lively debate on Inside NBA, the conversation turned to one of this season’s hottest topics: who’s better, Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama?
Legendary Charles Barkley had no hesitation when asked who would get the MVP award if it were decided today.
“What the Joker is doing… You know, there’s one thing in sports — you can’t take anything for granted. He (Jokic) is the best basketball player in the world. Every game, he’s posting a triple-double, and it’s not a ten-point, ten-rebound, ten-assist triple-double… These are huge numbers: 25, 16, 17,” said Barkley.
Shaquille O’Neal interrupted him.
“I hate when you do that.”
“Do what?” Barkley replied, surprised.
“I agree with everything you said about the Joker, but don’t underestimate everything Wembi is doing,” Shaq warned.
“I’m not doing that, everything I say…” Barkley started, but Shaq cut him off again.
“Their teams have the same record so far.”
Kenny Smith also joined the debate:
“Their impact is the same, their impact on wins is the same.”
O’Neal continued pressing Barkley:
“Wembi is playing basketball from another planet right now…”
“He’s playing great,” Barkley agreed.
“They have the same record, Chuck,” Shaq insisted.
“No, they’re not the same animals,” Barkley fired back.
“San Antonio is 8–2, Denver is 8–2, come on Chuck,” Shaq challenged.
For Barkley, the real debate wasn’t Jokic vs. Wembanyama, but Jokic vs. Luka Doncic.
“Yes, they have the same number of wins (Jokic and Wembi), but if we had to choose an MVP now — although I think it’s too early — the debate is between the Joker and Luka,” Barkley explained.
Smith and Shaq then asked him to rank them with a hand gesture, from top to bottom.
“Jokic, Luka, Wembi,” Barkley went from top to bottom, leaving a bigger gap between Luka and Wembi than between Jokic and Luka — which shocked both of them.
“You’re tripping,” said both Shaq and Kenny.
“Right now, I’d give Luka the MVP or I’d give it to Jokic, not Wembi,” Barkley added.
“And where’s the current MVP — Jay?” asked Ernie Johnson, joining the discussion.
“He’s below Wembi,” Barkley shot back immediately.
“11–1 below Wembi?” Johnson asked incredulously.
“They’re all great, but he still has a long way to go. What Luka is doing, what Jokic is doing…” Barkley began, reiterating his point that Jokic is the best.
“And what Wembi is doing,” added Shaq.
Finally, Barkley concluded:
“You don’t want to give Jokic credit because he’s better compared to you. The Joker would destroy you.”
O’Neal didn’t shy away from reality.
“I’m just saying I agree with you, but don’t discredit what Wembi is doing.”
“We just take [Nikola Jokić] for granted, he is the best basketball player in the world.”👏
Charles Barkley explains why Jokić has the edge over Wemby to start the season 👀 pic.twitter.com/1pMa1Yqaex
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 12, 2025
