NBA legend Charles Barkley praises Nikola Jokic for elite leadership after Nuggets’ strong playoff run

After a hard-fought first-round series, the Denver Nuggets opened the second round of the NBA playoffs with a statement win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1. Leading the charge was Nikola Jokic, whose impact extended far beyond the box score. His leadership and scoring presence were pivotal in the victory. As a result, former NBA player Charles Barkley offered high praise for the Nuggets star impressive leadership skills.

“Jokic is coaching right now. He is talking about control of that team…You’ve seen him be more animated and emotional. It’s all happened in the last month. We’ve been covering this team for years, and The Joker, we’re like, ‘He don’t ever show emotions!” But in the last month, he has been doing that. So it goes back, obviously the coach is important, but Joker is like, ‘No, no, no. This is my team. We’re gonna keep winning.’ Because he’s the one constant, and it’s great to watch, man,” stated Charles Barkley on TNT.

After the surprise dismissal of head coach Michael Malone, Nikola Jokic stepped up and took full control of the team. Instead of falling to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nuggets rallied and pulled off an impressive comeback. Jokic has also been much more vocal than ever, embracing his role as a leader. During a second-quarter timeout, cameras caught him giving instructions as if he were the coach, showcasing his growing influence.

At the same time, Jokic continues to dominate on the court and take control of the offense. In Game 1 against the Thunder, he played 42 minutes and scored 42 points. He also grabbed 22 rebounds and added 6 assists, delivering an all-around performance. With those numbers, he clearly stood out as the best player on the floor. Statistically, he outperformed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and set the tone for the series.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Denver Nuggets got it right by naming David Adelman interim head coach

Although Nikola Jokic has taken the spotlight during the team’s postseason surge, David Adelman’s work has been equally impressive. He took over with little time before the playoffs and still guided the team to the semifinals. That alone is a major achievement, especially given the emotional pressure that came with it. Besides, his leadership helped players like Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray elevate their game.

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Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round is the best thing that could have happened to Nikola Jokic. This matchup gives him a chance to tip the scales in the MVP race. Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the top two favorites to win the award.

One of them will almost certainly reach the NBA Finals. If Jokic can shine and lead the Nuggets to another Finals appearance, he could become a two-time MVP awarded. That doesn’t mean the winner of this series will win it all, but it could shift the narrative significantly.