Basketball is a sport of rhythm, not less than for many. Nikola Jokic could make stuff occur when he is off-rhythm (or off-balance; ask Anthony Davis), a uncommon trait that has caught the eye of one of many greats.
Magic Johnson not too long ago marveled at Jokic’s potential to dominate video games simply by being on the courtroom, be it together with his trickery in shotmaking or his potential to dissect defenses together with his passing. Johnson in contrast Jokic’s herky-jerky submit strikes to Warriors legend Chris Mullin.
“He is one of the best participant in basketball proper now,” Johnson advised “Byron Scott’s Fast Break” podcast. “He reads conditions and defenses properly. His basketball IQ is off the charts. After which he beats you as a result of he is off-rhythm like Chris Mullin used to do to us… Joker’s the identical method, you would be like ‘You are presupposed to shoot now’ [after the post moves]. He makes use of his physique so properly. He cannot leap however he simply bumps you off and will get his shot off.”
Johnson, although, was unwilling to crown Jokic one of the best heart ever, not over his former teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“The one factor he cannot do like Kareem is dominate at each ends. That is what’s lacking for him as a result of he isn’t an enormous shot blocker.”
That is a good take by Johnson. Jokic isn’t a wonderful rim protector by any stretch, however to his credit score, he has vastly improved lately. His protection generally suffers on account of his power on offense, each as a scorer and facilitator.
Johnson’s admiration for Jokic is comprehensible. Earlier this season, the Nuggets star passed him on the all-time leaderboard for triple-doubles and has since hung one other 21 triple-doubles. The Serb is 22 away from passing Oscar Robertson for second and 44 from teammate Russell Westbrook’s report.
Jokic is ready to change into the primary participant since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68 to complete a season top-three in factors (29.1), rebounds (12.8) and assists (10.3). He is additionally the primary non-guard to common a triple-double after Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. But, he isn’t a lock to win MVP, with Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (-900) favored to win the award, per ESPN Bet.
