The NBA has evolved through various eras defined by generational talents like Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron. But now, we have officially entered the Nikola Jokic era. With his unorthodox style, unparalleled court vision, and ability to dismantle defenses, Jokic has single-handedly redefined the center position. His impact extends beyond stats, inspiring a new breed of skilled big men and cementing his place as a true game-changer in basketball history.
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What's truly freakish about Jokic is his instant and unfailingly correct decision making.
I gotta agree. He mentally takes over the game.
💯I completely agree. That is probably his super power. Its like he can see 3 steps ahead. I love his tap ahead passes.
@@ShootersTouch30 Larry Bird used to do those a lot. Magic Johnson used to see the game steps ahead of the rest of the players on the court his whole career.
@@17thNO The mental game is why the superstars become what they are... There is always one in each generation...
I saw a clip of him being asked questions just now, and the guy asking the questions was from Jokic's home country. When Jokic heard his name pronounced correctly, the reaction was INSTANT. You could see his face light up, his eyes scan the room, and then he yelled the guy's name haha
Jokic is so consistent that people are already forgetting what he's doing is something special..
It's not
@@jonnyblayze5149 how is it not
I love how jokic most of the time when he hits a game winner or something is just cool, but when one of his teammates do it he is totally hyped😂
He turnt up that one time in this regular season from his game-winning
He is regarded as one of the greatest players ever, when he do it, it is normal. 😄
I mean, to be drafted during a Taco Bell commercial to becoming a 2 time MVP, Finals MVP, a champion, is insane. Greatest success story in the NBA.
NBA players drafted in the 2nd round simply don’t become multi time MVPs. It just doesn’t happen in a sport like basketball. Jokic is the greatest draft steal in the history of any sport
3 time mvp now 🃏
Insane how he almost went undrafted. Makes me wonder how many other potential superstars have been overlooked for not fitting a stereotype.
Brilliant comment! Agreed.
Nobody as good as Joker will stay overlooked
@@AlexanderTullisbut even Joker himself was overlooked by every team in the league as he went in the second round lol. There easily could of been other jokics who were dismissed because they played international basketball
It always happens. Funny enough check the year he got drafted. First overall pick was Joel Embiid who was suppose to be that can't miss big prospect. Nuggets in the first round drafted Jusuf Nurkic. But also understand Jokic was nowhere the same player back in 2014 as he would be in 2019 where he made his first All-Star and was 4th in MVP voting. But with guys like Wemby going first overall and Chet going as high as the 2nd pick, bigs with guard skills and a potential passing game are not being overlooked anymore.
The players and coaches who taught Jokic the game deserves as much appreciation as well.
Malone deserves a trophy. He’s spent years building what the nuggets are now
Serbian School of basketball!
💯
You can teach the skills, but you can't teach the talent. As we know, there are geniuses, and there are smart peeps.
RIP Deki.
This felt like a movie, good job.
Thank you. I really appreciate that.👊🏀
In an interview, Jokic mentions Vlade Divac, Dirk Nowitzky, Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw as his basketball heroes and influences.
Yeah I did have one issue in that he said Jokic started the stretch big (though later he clarified stretch-5) The stretch 4 pioneer was Nowitzski and Don Nelson. Without those two Jokic doesn't exist.
@@aaroneisenman6873 even that he aint the first stretch 5.
@@schuylerkrizay6192 Which player was a tue stretch 4 before Dirk that could shoot from beyond the arc with such frightening accuracy that he gave all teams headaches?
I think we entered his era when he won his first MVP title (at least)
I don't get what are you trying to say
😂😂😂he tries to say that a Serb should not have an era in the USA, but not to sound jealous. But 'PRVYK SVETE IS DENVER' 😂😂😂❤❤❤
@@IgorHavran-uj2tjWhat??
He did not deserve that year imo weakest selection
He is a combination of MacHale, Magic and Bird
High IQ, doesn’t rely on freakish athleticism. Tall, quick in a burst, reliable, great passer, good shooter, good defender. There's no one like Jokic.
His ability to solve a player, a defensive system or situation is exceptional. He adapts to different situations with different solutions, from bullyball to 3pointers. A friend used the Bruce Lee's "Be water." saying to describe his effortless action and ability to adapt to certain situations, grow, and change.
And he completely has his teammates to buy in his way of basketball...
💯thats a really good analogy. He is able to adapt to anything and has a counter for it. Its really incredible.
Jokic doesnt have eye on his back, he got eyes in the future.
People don’t give Jokic enough credit for the amount of work he puts in. After every single game he power lifts for 1 1/2 hours. He grinds like Kobe
Where did you hear about that? 🙂
Basketball fans just dont understand that strenght is way more important than athleticism. And jokic is among the strongest if not the strongest players out there.
@@nomercyinc6783i agree. There are many types of athelets. Coordination, fast twich muscles, natural wind, hand eye coordination, etc etc etc. Running and jumping is not end all be all
Name one non athletic nba player, because I can name dozens that are not strong. Gtfo
@@nomercyinc6783 lets be honest here. To the casual nba fan. Athleticism equals jumping higher.
@@passportbrother go ahead. Name a dozen.
We in Serbia has one famous dictum which is ideal match in Jokic's style of basketball: "The mind rules, power just rolling stones!" You should write that on some paper! haahahah Idemooo Jokarooooo, ti si za njih druga dimenzija, ne razumeju oni to!
It makes sense why Jokic is a great passer; it's the same reason the NFL covets tall QBs, they can generally see over everyone.
a youtuber who actually correctly pronounced Divac's last name. That alone deserves a subscribe and a like
Nikola changed the game. Look at the NBA. Look how every team now is trying to turn their C into a playmaker and dribble player. Bam,Wemby,Chet,Embiid,Sabonis,Randler,Davis you can keep looking, but look how often the Big mans are the one leading the fastbreak and how often they are dribbling the ball looking for the assist to teammates and how they are using inverted PnR with them as the handlers and the guard as screener. How often big mans are involved on the actions of set plays with them at the top doing DHO. Nikola Jokic changed the game
The Heat been wanting to turn Bam into their playmaking after his first year. They've been known of his handles and the potential of that game of his coming out of Kentucky. They were waiting to move Hassan Whiteside's out so they can finally get him minutes at center. But what made it click were the shooters they were developing besides Herro in 2020. So you saw those DHO actions Bam would run along Duncan Robinson. Some teams figured out slowly then that if they had shooters to go with their screening and play making bigs that it was another efficient way to get high quality shots. Why do you think those some of those bigs you mentioned went to teams with guys who can play the role of off-ball shooters/scorers?
Jokic is playing waterpollo on the basketball court basically. Just watch any waterpollo game, ex. Serbia Nacional team and you will see every single angle, soft/quick pass, long distance pass, ball handling in his game. Its easy for him because he trained waterpollo and only difference is you dont have 300+ pounds dude trying to drown you into the poll. 🤣
I heard this! But...Are water polo guys typically 300 + lbs.? And what kind of "drowning" can they get away with, legally & illegally?
@@SilverSkitterscuttle Water polo is one of the dirtiest sports, only handball is probably worse. Elbows, pinching, kicking... Sinking opponent is a foul, and they love to do it at when you inhale. They are not 300 pounds, 250 max.
@@andrijavrba9907 Huh thanks man! You mean that all that violence is ILLEGAL, but they get away with it, presumably because violations are hard to see & often underwater? And how can they not seriously penalize something like sinking, which should be EZ to identify & punish?
@@SilverSkitterscuttle Exactly. It's underwater MMA that only the players know is happening.
This is the best Joker video I've seen in a very long time.
thank you. I really appreciate that. 👊🏀
You didn't mention how dangerous Jokic's floater game. You'll never know if it's a shot or a lob
💯thats true. Almost impossible to guard with Gordon flying in from the dunkers spot. He can just decide what to do with it last second and has amazing touch.
Yeah, can’t tell you how many times I’ve been watching and thought “ah no way that goes in” immediately before gordon comes flying in out of nowhere
He makes the game look so easy.
💯 such a joy to watch. so effortless
@@ShootersTouch30 100%
If magic and bird had a baby it be jokic
ALMOST TEARED UP, GREAT VIDEO!!
Pop too.
Really?? which part? thank you. I appreciate that. ❤
Like my man JJ Redick said, he has the best court mapping in the history of the league. He just knows what to do when a teammate or an opponent does something.
Totally. That's his superpower. Its incredible
Gross exaggeration. I’d say that goes to Magic Johnson, Lebron James, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, etc
@@MrDiMES123 so you know better than a professional player and one of the brightest minds in basketball? Oh and Bron agreed to it too.
@@kiroppi6687 jj redick? The man couldn’t even dribble without turning it over. No disrespect but his basketball mind was limited to catch & shoots. His “court map” was nonexistent but he could shoot well. And Lebron is a known people pleaser who called his son better than many in the league..
I usually play center or PF in pick up games as I am 6 foot 5. As a teen, I loved blocking shots like Alonzo Mourning. Now at 41 and at 235 pounds (I am cook and a dad, but I have a lot of muscle) compared to the 200 I was as a young dude, Jokic has shown how a big boy can bully his opponents in the paint and hit a jumper
💯
Most accurate video for Nikola. On KZhead. Ever.
thank you. I really appreciate that. worked hard on this one. 👊🏀
Give him the respect and recognition recognition he deserves.
He makes all his team mates loom good.. like MJ and Kobe.
The f? They were both narcissistic ball hogs, especially Kobrick.
Sabonis, Luka, Jokic, dominating the NBA. I wonder why they get so much hate…
His fundamentals are just solid. He doesnt need crazy dribbling skills or crossovers. He knows how to use his body properly and court reading and passing is amazing.
Crazy to think that almost every single team could’ve drafted him
Well maybe outside of maybe the Nuggets and Sixers. Sixers in 2014 drafted their big of the future in Joel Embiid. Nuggets in the first round took Jusuf Nurkic. But Connelly (the GM back then) had the wisdom to double dip to getting another Euro big when Jokic was still available in the 2nd round.
jokic exposing the lack of bigs in the nba. one reason jokic is soo good. is that he’s a big that can facilitate like a guard. i’d rather have him facilitate than be a big (rebounds and post presence) force his tm8’s to get rebounds. jokic will get his pts and assist, but limit his impact as a big, will really slow down the team.
I'd like to see someone try that. :) The man is like he has sensors for where the ball will be, and is at the right place at almost any time, to get the rebound or a few of them in one go. He's also got that farm strenght, and is long so he does not have to jump high in order to get the ball. Nope. You cannot deny him his big game. He's inevitable. :D
@@alokinchiits amazing watching him poke the ball to his direction for the rebounds to compensate for his lack of bounce
He played almost solely as a facilitator in his first couple of seasons in the NBA and his box plus minus was off the charts. He is phenomenal as a facilitator.
The reason why Jokic has opportunities to 'facilitate' is because he understands positioning as a big when it comes to being involved in the offense. This video doesn't show it as often but Jokic is in every two-man screen/hand off action the Nuggets do. Guard scorers like Steph and Doncic need smart bigs who can set strong screens so they can separate from their defender. Jokic takes it a whole new level because much like those guards, he can get the ball in those screen situations and use his handles to go downhill on a big or a mismatch and score.
Never seen a video that good from a channel with 1.8k subs. 100k subs before year end I'm guessing
thank you! I appreciate that. working hard to get there. 👊🏀
Jokic would make an amazing coach when he's done as a player. I hope he does that.
I’ve been saying for a while, Jokic is just Tim Duncan if Duncan had been developed in the 3pt, position-less era.
I've been saying for awhile. Jokic ' is # 1 All Time in the Player Efficiency Ratings. Ahead of Mj, Wilt, Bill, Bird, Kobe, Kareem, Hakeem, Barkley, Curry, James, Malone, Malone, Duncan, Robertson ,Robinson ,Stockton, etc.....................
Jokic not close to Duncan as a defender. But I understand your point. I think Jokic is more like Duncan in their leadership. No talk just play and both being epitome of consistency. Where Duncan was the defensive anchor of his teams, Jokic is the offensive maestro
@@artvallejos1460😂😅😅🤣🤭👉 dudes garbage
Tim Duncan without defense ?😂
Jokic' good enough on defense to help Nuggets win a Championship.
You could make an argument have LeBron and Curry ruined basketball for a generation of kids. LeBron showed that loyalty is secondary to general manager control and Curry made morons at ever rec center in the world attempt half court contested shots, instead of passing the ball to the open guy.
Loyalty to a team or lack thereof did nothing to the game. Curry literally ruined the game of basketball.
@@Bodybyptteaming up with your friends and stacking teams did nothing to the game? Yea, sure thing
Curry’s development of the three was always going to happen tbh. When a game as old as basketball starts to get perfected naturally the three is going to be up there. As most players know 3>2 and it was just the natural progression of the game. His influence on the new generation is pretty bad though, with kids being taught only how to shoot.
Lebron showed you can outright cheat every single game of your career and if you have so eth8ng on the commissioner youll be lauded for it.
@@whocares8576developed? Bird showed what was possible with the dagger 3. Curry is a one trick pony.
This video needs to be played in mainstream media! NBA and Basketball fans need to watch it to understand the game's new direction. I am not sure that Kobe Lakers could compete against teams like Denver or Minnesota nowdays.
I'm not a Denver fan, but I try to watch as many Denver games as possible. Their offense is such a joy to watch. Constant ball and player movement, lots of great cuts and passes and on top of that some of the best shooting in the league. I love how Jokic always finds the open man. It's not just the Jokic/Murray two man game, Gordon has been awesome as well. He's ALWAYS in the perfect spot. KCP adds some defensive integrity, MPJ adds another layer of shooting. And even though their bench is kinda weak, they've got just enough good players to provide a spark.
DJ Burns following that model
Great video. Perfect mini documentary with substance.
Great video!
Thank you. 👊🏀
Starting liking Jokic in early 2021 when people were calling him a "stat padder." I knew that much hate had to be because he was legitimately taking attention from the other great players of the era. Didn't know how right I was, lol.
Every move, every step, everything he does has a purpose and he doesnt waste anything and takes advantage of even the tiniest mistake
The best thing any aspiring pro basketball player can get from Jokic is his selfless play style. He is quoted saying he'd rather get an assist than score himself, it makes both of them happy. And remember Jokic has never played with a fellow All Star, who else on the All Time lists can say that? Big Honey is an all time great already, just enjoy it while it lasts.
I love this era of basketball with players giving voice like mind the game podcast and JJ reddik's that discusses the x and o of things It used to be player focused narrative, now we as casual fans are thinking like coaches with plays
You say “convince all the doubters” but the amount of people I see calling him and the Nuggets trash and that they just get lucky is still staggering 😂
To be fair though it seems like most of them traumatized Lakers fans and Embiid supporters 🤷🏼♂️
My favorite part of basketball will always be the fundamentals. To me, Nikola is pure fundamentals. Nice work on the Vid.
Hella underrated
💯
Kobe also learned his footwork from playing football/soccer as a kid (he spent a sizable chunk of his formative years living in Italy after all)!
Facts and he learned alpt frm Dream if you notice he had his own Dream shake
I'm just blessed to be able to watch him play for the home team. Truly is something special and to be such a great human being is just icing on the cake.
Absolutely loved this video, great production!
This was a great detailed video! Hope you can do video on the possibilities of Zach Edey’s development in the Jokic Era. Looking forward to more of your work
really fun video. it's also imp to note that in 3:40 you mention MJ as someone who defined a generation. while true, we should definitely acknowledge that Hakeem existed around the same time. people regularly name him in their top 10 all time. he changed a part of the game in his own way with his post moves.
Enjoyed watching this... I think this is one of most objective videoes about NBA I've seen so far 🍻
I appreciate that! 👊🏀
He reminds me of bird in his prime. Not gonna beat you with talent or speed but smarter than most and has great vision and a great touch.
I think the first European center which such qualities (passing and shooting and dribbling) was Arvydas Sabonis. But he was kinda unlucky with his health and the era, they couldnt imagine how efficient is you center to pass the ball.
I was thinking of a top starting 5 last night which included Curry, Kobe, Jordan, Bron, and Jokic...and now this vid popped up on my recs 👀
Thats crazy 😂
@@ShootersTouch30 yeah saw the thumbnail and was like wth is goin on lol
And who will be your benchwarmers?
@@mrconfusion87 tough to list a bench, I don't like to discredit legends. Initially had Shaq instead of Jokic. AI, Magic, Wade, KD, Duncan, Kareem, Hakeem all in mind
Why haven't I ever come across your KZhead space?. Great content, impressive homework and research, amazing photos and graphics. You're gonna go far. Keep up the excellence, brother.
Thank you. I appreciate that. 👊🏀
jokic is guard who accidentally become center because he is the biggest man in his team
very good job!! This was a great video
Thank you! I appreciate it 👊🏀
He doesn't run, he lumbers. And it seems like he's out-rebounding people while keeping his feet flat on the floor.
But don’t people play to WIN games and championships?
Off topic but props on pronouncing the name like a Serbian :D You're already better than 90% of nba media who rarely bother.
Wow bro amazing quality, I'm still pretty new to basketball so this taught me a lot
Thank you! I really appreciate that. Glad you got something from it too.👊🏀
Amazing producing qualities... Subbed
thank you. I really appreciate that. 👊🏀
This video could be a short documentary on this great NBA player.
Totally agree. He is incredible
Great video. Well done
Yup...Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson rolled into one + special Joker sauce. The best of the best. A basketball unicorn and a wonderful guy! Amazing video! Instant subscription
he said he admired tim duncan and boris. And it makes sense. I think he's more of a walton and bird combo. or Bird and tim duncan
Unicorn of NBA atmo Effortlessly dominant. So much ahead of the game rhythm Joker is ahead of the pack by miles Made in Vojvodina Great video explaining the MVP now
💯agreed.
@@nomercyinc6783 Lol. Jokic ' is # 1 in the NBA Player Efficiency Ratings. Ahead of, get this, Mj, Wilt, Bill, Bird, Magic, Bryant, Hakeem, Alcinder, Shaq, Barkley, Curry, James, Malone, Malone, Kg, Kd, Duncan, Robertson, Robinson, Stockton ,your favorite player etc......................
Made in Sombor, Serbia
high quality content. Great stuff.
Much appreciated!
His desición making and great passes reminds me of Bird but they have different enough spins to their styles and body builds to make them difficult to truly compare.
Gregg Popovich is a generational talent.
Excellent analysis! Joker is a game changer and currently the best player in the league.
completely agree
This is a great video. MJ will always be my hero. But this video ends up the GOAT debate. Because there will never be a GOAT. Because they all played in different eras. Its Jokic's time now.
Fantastic documentary.
thank you. I really appreciate that. 👊🏀
You put a lot of effort in this video 🙌🃏😊
He has so many unique advantages. As a big who can shoot, he spaces the floor and draws out the biggest defender…but he’s so strong and “round” and surprisingly quick off the first dribble that said defender cannot press him. So what’s the result? Wide open passing lanes, plus some size mismatches with guys like Gordon and MPJ. Good luck defending all that.
If the Media is right and Nikola Jokic doesn't care about Basketball, imagine if he did, how much better he would be when he doesn't care and is still the best.
If media is right...hahaha, imagine that!?
Imagine if nikola didn’t care about basketball and was this good. Man, he’d be in goat atmosphere
When you will understand, that Nikola really, but really care about basketball .. he just don't care about all that buzz/hype around him .. He's not a player that care about all that "star" image, that all other NBA players care .. He's so good at this game, because he really love just playing a basketball, that's all .. I think that at this moment, nobody really care about playing, than he care ..
I don't believe that he would be better, nor that he would be a better player, even against, it could have a bad effect on his game. In that case, he would put more mental stress on himself, which could lead to stressful situations, and all of that together could have a bad effect on his game. Therefore, it is probably best as it is, if it were better it wouldn't work.
He obviously loves the game of basketball. He, just like Tim Duncan, just doesnt care about culture surrounding it.
MJ, Shaq, Bron are my GOATs but Jokic is like MJ with his shooting + Shaq with his inside scoring + Bron with his IQ If he wins this year MVP and Championship, he will enter the TOP 10-12 greatest player of all time and he is still in his prime
Phenomenal video boss🙏Subscribed
thank you! I really appreciate it
Great content
I'm starting to believe the emperor eye is real, and his is on a whole other level.
This is SUPERB! No QUESTIONS.
thank you! I appreciate it
jokic is a beast and this video is great 💪💪🔥
thank you. I really appreciate that. 👊🏀
he's truly one of one
An insightful video
thank you
Amazing cinematography
thank you. I really appreciate that. 👊🏀
Joker had 1 year of having his era, and now it's already the Ant era
I liked the editing
This was such a good video. I would also add how playing other sports give europeans a huge advantage, specifically football (soccer for you americans). It helps them create better footwork. Even Kobe said this
Amazing video, tx
thank you! I really appreciate it
Awesome video 🎉
thank you. I really appreciate that. Glad you liked it 👊🏀
That ayton clip is my favorite of all time. Made that lazy bum look like a weird gargoyle statue haha
I also loved the scene. But Ayton is not a lazy bum. He's a descent young player with a respectable potential. Not anywhere near Joker though....
🤣soo good
Jokic is a new bread of center.
Jokic , doncic and edwards next 10 years
Can't argue with that!
Nicely done
Thanks! 👊🏀
I think we need to pull back on the fact we never seen anyone like Jokic. Jokic's style is essentially patterned after Hall of Famer Arveydis Sabonis (his son currently plays for the Sacramento Kings). Though he was injury riddled in his nba career in the 80s/90s, he was a 7-4 beast who was Jokic before Jokic in European ball. Roll the tape, this is not the first coming of someone with this skillset...its just many basketball heads dont understand that we've seen this before, albeit in small sample sizes over the decades
theres a saying in my country that goes, u still gotta eat a lot more bread and cheese to reach me, thats goes for Jokic, hes gotta have longevity if he wants to be mentioned after he retires
how about love on the big impact of AI and Kyrie on ball handling in isolation plays in games