Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: Is Nikola Jokić having the best season ever?

Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni (“S”)

Overview

This episode centers on evaluating Nikola Jokić's historic season, explores whether he's having the best individual season in NBA history, and takes the pulse of the evolving MVP race. The crew also provides insights on the San Antonio Spurs’ impressive run against the Thunder, the shifting narratives around top teams, and dives into the fortunes of the league’s most puzzling franchises in a segment called “Something, Nothing, or Everything.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The San Antonio Spurs as Oklahoma City’s Kryptonite

• Thunder's Difficult Stretch: The Thunder, once seemingly unstoppable, have hit a skid, particularly struggling against the Spurs who are now 3-0 against them this season (02:46–05:00).

• Why the Spurs "Own" OKC:

  • The Spurs' build is pointedly designed to expose OKC’s weaknesses:
    • Athletic wings, powerful guard trio, elite rim protection with Wembanyama.
    • Zena notes: “They are built to dismantle the Thunder… The Spurs don’t have to change to beat OKC—they’re just themselves.” (05:57)
  • Dave points out Victor Wembanyama’s defensive versatility and ability to always be the ‘low man’ on defense, neutralizing OKC’s paint attacks (07:20).
  • The Spurs’ positional size allows them to match and counter the Thunder’s physical guards like Shai, Dort, and Jalen Williams (08:52).

• Is This a Rivalry for the Future?

  • “That’s why everybody hypes this up as a rivalry… they look at the Spurs as a worthy rival.” — S (04:45)

2. Are the Spurs Contenders Right Now?

• The crew debates whether the Spurs could actually win the championship this season (11:22).

  • Dave hesitates to put a ceiling on the Spurs, citing their depth and growing star power: “They have Victor Wembanyama, who by the end of the season might be the best player in the world.” (11:31)
  • Esfandiar and Zena highlight experience as the only real question mark, but rave about their depth and adaptability.

• Notable Moment:

  • “It’s funny that we’re saying this after they just got wrecked by the Jazz… A secret buzzsaw there.” — Dave (12:37)

3. MVP Race Update & Is Jokić having the Greatest Season Ever?

• With the Thunder cooling, the MVP race is wide open—it’s now mainly between Jokic and Shai, with possible outside shots from Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson (12:57–19:13).

• Jokić’s Historic Numbers:

  • 30 PPG, 12 RPG, 11 APG — leading the league in rebounds and assists.
  • 72% True Shooting, 61% FG, 44% 3PT, 85% FT.
  • Responsible for an absurd 96 points in a single game (13:43).

• Stats Contextualized vs. NBA Legends (14:33–15:49):

  • Jokić’s current stats exceed or match career highs from icons:
    • Scoring: Shaq’s best—29.7, Jokić—29.8
    • Rebounds: Malone’s best—12.0, Jokić—12.4
    • Assists: Kidd’s best—10.8, Jokić—11.1
    • FG%: Kareem’s best—60.4%, Jokić—60.4%
    • 3PT%: Bird’s best—42.7%, Jokić—44%

• Quote of the Day:

  • “Take some of the legends—the best of Shaq, Malone, Kidd, Kareem, and Bird—and you get Jokić. That’s insane.” — Esfandiar (15:58)

• Caveats—Stat inflation?

  • Dave plays devil’s advocate but admits: “This is as close as we’ve seen someone come to solving the offensive side of basketball.” (16:27)

4. Something, Nothing, or Everything? League Rundown

Raptors/Scotty Barnes

• Scotty Barnes: 23 points, 25 rebounds vs. Warriors—out-rebounded all Warriors starters (23:05–24:38). Seen as clear All-Star trajectory.

Bucks/Giannis

• Giannis’ Statement Dunk: 29 pts in 25 mins with a buzzer-beating dunk. Zena argues it was about “re-establishing the Bucks’ identity.” The panel notes his emotional candor in postgame interviews (24:38–25:57).

Cavaliers Collapse

• Cleveland Cavs: Season described as a “disaster,” below .500 and trending down in every metric.
  • “If we talk about anything today, this is it. The Cavs are cooked. I think eventually they have to blow it up... this is DEFCON 1.” — S (26:48–27:55)

Bad Teams Upsetting Good Ones

• Nets, Jazz, Wizards: Recently surging, but Zena calls it a “nothing burger” long-term: “Come spring, we’ll see the true separation.” Dave notes it’s more fun when ‘bad’ teams stay competitive (29:44–30:12).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They’re built to dismantle the Thunder.” — Zena Keita (05:57)
• “I can’t put a ceiling on this Spurs team. They might not have any limit.” — Dave DeFore (11:31)
• “What we’re seeing from Jokic—this might be the best season anyone’s ever had.” — S (13:57)
• “This is as close as we’ve ever seen someone come to solving the offensive side of basketball. It’s one guy.” — Dave DeFore (16:27)
• “If there’s anything we talk about today, this is it: The Cavs are cooked.” — S (26:48)
• “Take some of the legends—Shaq, Malone, Kidd, Kareem, and Bird—and you have a Nikola Jokic.” — Esfandiar (15:58)

Important Timestamps

• 02:46 — Spurs dominate Thunder: rivalry and match-up analysis
• 07:20 — Wembanyama’s defensive brilliance
• 11:22 — Spurs’ championship ceiling debate
• 12:57 — MVP race opens up; Jokić’s historic stat line
• 14:33 — Contextualizing Jokić’s stats vs. NBA greats
• 23:05 — Raptors/Scotty Barnes All-Star talk
• 24:38 — Giannis and Bucks’ identity
• 26:48 — Cavs collapse and possible rebuild
• 29:44 — “Bad” teams putting up real fights

Conclusion

The episode masterfully balances lighthearted NBA banter with in-depth analysis, centering on whether Nikola Jokić is authoring the greatest single-season campaign in league history. The panel dissects tactical battles, team identity crises, and league narratives, serving up vivid comparisons, memorable stats, and spirited debate. This episode is a must for listeners seeking a pulse-check on the state of the NBA and context behind headlining performances and team trajectories.