Can anyone stop Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets?
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- čas přidán 11. 05. 2023
- Nikola Jokic had one of the best playoff series of the decades against the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, averaging 35 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists per game. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report breaks down how Jokic has dominated in the first rounds with his scoring, playmaking and understanding off opposing defenses, and how his 2-man game with Jamal Murray is so difficult to defend.
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My favorite part about watching Jokic play is he'll absolutely cook the best players on earth, then jog back on defense with no expression other than sometimes making a face like he has mild heartburn
LMAO😭😭😭😂
This.
big tim duncan vibes
Lmao weirdly accurate
dude's biggest worry is his itchy and/or runny nose as he runs back on defense
Best player in the world. Can’t believe he was getting torched for losing to the Warriors by himself last year
The Haters are eating crow now that he has a full healthy roster. It's ok. I wasn't sure how legit Denver was this year and they answered that question resoundingly. I'm rooting for Denver to reach the Finals. Let's go Jo.
He was the best player in those series too. Haters are going to hate, let them bark we all know Jokic will finish as one of the greatest Bigs of all time. He already is.
He beat two bad teams. He has to win it all first. Then he can get some praise.
@@watermage25ok calling the suns a bad team is a biiiig stretch
@@PuchuKt Sun's were fucking terrible. Bookers is one of the best players rn and KD was pretty good as usual mostly. But the Sun's as a team are hot trash.
When you watch Jokic‘ artistry broken down like this, all you can do is shake your head in disbelief and admiration
My reactions watching this play breakdowns of Jokic are:
* "BRUH"
* "HOW THE HELL CAN HE DO THAT?!!" and
* laughs towards opponents' confused defense
I was literally shaking my head too at his passing
He’s literally the best passer of all time. i’ve never seen any player be able to make all of these incredible passes with anticipation.
And he’s doing it at 280 pounds and 7 feet tall.
He is a legendary NBA player. Totally unique
thats how i felt as a suns fan the whole series, watching a man that looks like he eats mcdonalds all day absolutely destroy your team
@@camron2251 nah thats crazy bruh
As someone who’s watched nearly every game jokic has played, this is the absolute peak of his powers. He is playing damn near perfect offensively and has stepped up defensively as well, I cannot believe how much of a high level he is playing at right now. Really hopes he gets his ring this year
if he gets support with 2 additional players in the game they cant loose
I am kinda worried about Lakers and AD defence, but I won't underestimate his abbility to get injuted
Same here...he makes me giggle out loud sometimes with his abilities on the court. Jokic is a bball God. I hope the Nuggs get a chip, they're certainly on there way.
The only criticism I have is he’s averaging over 4 TO per game. He’s had several games with 6 TO. I know he makes up for it in assists but still, there’s definitely room for improvement there
@@Srbenda126AD can’t guard Jokic straight up
Jokic makes everyone around him better. My basketball IQ has increased just by watching him play. It must be crazy to play on his team.
Only a true MVP can make your basketball IQ grow unlike flopper Crybaby Embiid.
@@michaelpetrovich5353 I honestly think it’s much more of a prejudice against Jokic’s White skin than anything else for MVP this season. It sounds ironic to say in this world today, but it truly seems like many many Black people and players just don’t think White people can play basketball and refuse to admit their greatness no matter how clear it is. He’s so much more deserving than Embiid of the MVP again this year that it’s a complete joke and a true showing of the total lack of respect a player can receive based solely on their skin color. It’s a truly sad thing.
@@Paulie_Walnuts89 you're schizo posting your white persecution fetsh here too? You want to be a victim SO BAD 😂
He is the MVP! Not Embiid!
@@Paulie_Walnuts89 Jokic literally got it twice in a row before this season, so your argument sounds rather bizarre...
people were calling jokic a playoff choker when the last time before this season the nuggets were healthy they made it to the wcf... i seen some jokic slander over the past 2 seasons that ill never forgive
Facts
To be fair they get judged by success but I'm so happy to see the Nuggets and Jokic break through. Jokic is amazing but props to Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, MPJ for stepping up when needed. Definitely Finals bound.
Even take that he was never a PO s choker he performed elite but have below avarage players ...see where are now starters from last year Denver team...and you will see the truth
They are the top seed and strange that everyone is saying Lakers/GSW low trash seeds winning the chip. Nuggets beat them easy. Nuggets will 4-0 Warriors easy, no big to stop Jokic and probably 4-2 Lakers.
Yep, especially Kendrick Perkins. Jokic is my favorite big since Vlade retired
Denver roster construction is really something. Porter and KCP are absolutely elite cutters.
Both are also snipers and good defenders
And Gordon
Bruce
Gordon & Bruce too
If you know you get the pass every single time you do good cut. The effort in making good cuts goes through the roof but still they do it
Jokic shoots with both hands up, that’s almost 10 ft high! He shoots with high projectile arc that is like missile precision! Hard to guard!
So happy for CZcamsrs like you. The media can only talk about KD this CP that. New media appreciates the sport properly
Yeah, they were all bellyaching over Phoenix pulling yet another playoff choke job this morning. I think the Inside the NBA guys were the only ones really giving Denver the proper respect.
@@cmc5394oparva Everyone knew this last minute suns roster has 0 chemistry and would struggle in the playoffs. Half the team got traded after all star break lol. they had no real chance
@@AY-oi3hv Everyone knew?
In a poll among "NBA analysts", 13 thought the Suns would win, only 4 bet on Nuggets in 7 games (no one picked Nuggets in 6).
@@AY-oi3hv No, not "everyone" knew that they would struggle--everyone had them favored over Denver prior to the series. That's why the whining is so intense, and so pathetic.
Let's not forget Embiid. The media still believes in his stats over Jokic Like for an example, Embiid's one mediocre assist pass erupts into announcers praising and believing his 'MVP' gameplay.
One of the most unique players ever. A big, heavy 7' center with less than exceptional footspeed, and they run Iverson cuts for him, and it works. He's the most unsolvable problem in the league today.
Eyem literally tryna think of a defensive scheme other than to make him pass n force others to win. Jokic is on God tier
Jokic is a freak athlete, Ayton simply could not run the court with him.
Now that you mention it it's just like Curry when he first finally emerged as a star, He was unsolvable at that time when he made 3 pointers at logo range or 30 ft out, He was an unsolvable problem that was finally solved after years of his Dominance. Now it's Jokic's time to be solved and right now he may actually never be solved.
@@Fbai69696that doesn’t make sense dude you can’t solve 3 point shooting skill its not a certain style of play thats so dominant its his 3 point shooting skill
Perkins' campaign to say Jokic's greatness was racially motivated is one of the greatest injustices in league history. This man IS our 3-time MVP and it never should have been a discussion.
I honestly think it’s much more of a prejudice against Jokic’s White skin than anything else for MVP this season. It sounds ironic to say in this world today, but it truly seems like many many Black people and players just don’t think White people can play basketball and refuse to admit their greatness no matter how clear it is. He’s so much more deserving than Embiid of the MVP again this year that it’s a complete joke and a true showing of the total lack of respect a player can receive based solely on their skin color. It’s a truly sad thing.
@@Paulie_Walnuts89 He was robbed this yr but last yr he barely deserved it as only a sixth seed
"The MVP voters are racist for picking Jokic too much" - Kendrick Perkins. "I didn't include Jokic in my top 5 MVP votes" - Mark Jackson. "Chris Paul was better than Jokic last year" - Nick Wright. "Errr, he just doesn't play the right way" - Keyshawn Johnson
I want him to beat the Fakers to a pulp, but 3 times? 🤦♂️ Perkins can be a clown and there's no proof that Jokic is getting any prizes due to being white. He EARNED thrm. But your comment make me really happy that basketball has always been dominated by black people. HELL YEAH JOKIC LOST THIS YEAR! He deserved the first two, but Embiid deserved it this year. Take the L.
But, hey, don't be too down. If Jokic wins it all, he's gonna get WCF MVP and Finals MVP, behind the amazing Stephen Curry, of course!
White people ARE the minority in basketball and I'm more than happy about that. We don't want far-right and nazifascist mentality destroying our beautiful sport. So happy Ja is gonna get a 41 games suspension for messing up with guns. Far-right and nazifascist mentality WON'T BE TOLERATED IN THE NBA. NOT IN OUR HOME!
FACTS!!!!
Watching the nuggets reminds me of the spurs when timmy, manu, and tp. Just fluid rhythmic basketball. It's beautiful.
Not as beautiful as the warriors
Masterful performance. As an Embiid fan, I must concede. This man Jokic is the best
Best as in more deserving of the MVP than Embiid?
@@barrymccociner4105 and all NBA first team lmao
@@barrymccociner4105 Still think Joel the mvp. But Joker is first team all nba no doubt. Makes no sense the mvp runner up being 2nd team
@Abdullahi Ahmed it made no sense the last 2 years
It's time for Jokic to win Finals MVP. Sure he could've got his third but at this point it doesn't even matter. Denver is hungry.
I keep telling people that Jokic is as good a scorer as Embiid, but doesn’t score as much because his decision making and play making is so much better.
A better scorer. He doesn’t get the Embiid whistle
Great comment
but he is better scores, just look at stats; embiid need to shot more to make the same point, and just look game 4 against phoenix suns...when his teammates missing a lot shot he went in score mode with 53 point 11 assist
Davis playing like the best defender in the NBA vs Jokic running this unstoppable offense. We are in for a good one
Can't wait! It's gonna be one of those Power Ranger episodes where there are two monsters fighting at the end! Stomping and destroying buildings.
Jokic ate up 3x DPOY Gobert. He'll be fine against AD.
@@andys3035 AD ain’t no Gobert
@@beastmodevideogod9792 yeah Gobert doesn't get injured every time he stubs his pinky toe
But its a sweep so yeah.
This aint 2020 anymore.
The Denver Nuggets play the most beautiful basketball I’ve ever seen
I might put the 2014 Spurs ahead of them, that was pure poetry
An old head has to chime in. The '86 Celtics were poetry in motion...
I'd also add the Steve Kerr coached Warriors here too
Three good takes follow, but Nuggets in that company
Yeah…the 2017 & 2018 Warriors existed at some point.
As a Suns fan once again it sucks watching us get destroyed again but I'm not nearly as mad as last year. I thought Denver was the better team coming in, was close but thought they were still better, so not surprised we lost. The other reason I'm not mad, there were times Jokic was just doing things where I couldn't get mad, I just had to give it to him. Ayton caught a lot of flack this series, a lot of it deserved, but there were times he was defending Jokic well and it didn't matter, Jokic was just going to make a great play and there wasn't anything anyone could do. Jokic is one of those players that I enjoy watching so even though he was dissecting the Suns I couldn't help but appreciate his game. Couldn't get too upset over a guy who they really had no answers for, better team won and the best player on the floor played amazing almost every game.
James we need more fans like you. I just enjoy the game. I no longer have a team (I have the Rockets so of course I want them to succeed but you won't see me wearing a Rockets jersey)but I'll always appreciate great playmaking basketball and the Nuggets are playing some of the best basketball since the Duncan Spurs of 2014.
@@MentalStillness yup this is how i am. i "pick" the teams i like how they play.
Honestly respect for the good analysis after losing like that
This is exactly me as a Wolves fan. Saw Jokic live in both games 3 and 4. His game is so beautiful to watch even tho it hurt losing. Plus Murray and MPJ were extra hot without us having McDaniels. This Nuggets team deserves all the praise in the world and I’m rooting for them all the way.
same with Book tbh, I'm a nuggets fan but I couldn't even get mad at the losses we had when Booker was making absolutely everything. I'm just happy to watch such amazing basketball
Jokic is my favourite player of all time so if he wins a ring this year after all the doubt and hate throughout these past seasons I can die a happy man
Been following him since 2016 when I was in grade 6 so to see him at this crazy apex where he’s the best player in the league is surreal
He should be a lot of peoples favorite player ever. I never seen anything like it, he is special
@@cappy2282 he is the only reason I watch NBA, the rest is soft and ruined by refs and flops
@@Djoga100 lol bro same here. New NBA is awful. Bunch of overpaid crybaby divas that have no loyalty to their team/city and care only about themselves and the fame/fortune now. Sad to see. Jokic is the last of a dying breed. He’s awesome.
It's been such a painful, heartbreaking but AWESOME experience to see this team slowly build a winning roster. The investment in Jokic, the patience with MPJ, the commitment to Murray, the acquisition of Gordon, Brown and KCP... It's so great. Nobody cares who scores, as long as they're wearing a Nuggets jersey. It's BEAUTIFUL basketball.
We got this -- BEAT LA!!!
perfectly said. but you forgot christian braun.
@@pal1ndr0me Dude is like 6 inches taller than me but I wanna tussle his hair when I see him hustle. Kid has promise and looks like he's 16.
@@pal1ndr0me Velociraptor lookin ass. Love Raptor Boy
Despite being labelled unathletic and slow, jokics offball movement is so good its often overlook everyone talks about his passing, nice to see someone recognizes jokics movement and how he gets open
Also, not being athletic does not mean he's not conditioned. Jokic is in amazing shape and routinely runs the floor in transition.
@@ppunch7050 truth. I think it was in Game 5 where he beat the entire Suns team down the court multiple times in the 1st quarter alone.
Also, if you remember, even a few years ago when he much heavier he played like 55 minutes in a triple overtime game versus the Blazers in the playoffs and was just amazing for the whole game. He's in way better shape now.
He was unathletic and slow. It's true. He's much more fit now, more agile and faster
@@alexwhite3830 Very common comments are about him not being an athlete. If you mean the beauty of the body and appearance, it stands. On the other hand, He is extremely strong, and he knows how to use his strength in the best way. Another very widespread opinion is that He is slow, which is also not quite true. He has a terrific transition from slow motion to incredibly fast, short movements in execution. Haven't you noticed when they ask opposing players a question about Him being slow. They just laugh, and they don't even know how to comment on it. On the one hand, it looks like it is slow, but on the other hand, the players on the field know best that it is not quite like that. It's just that even they don't understand what it is about.
Saw a stat today that was fantastic-Jokic is 9th in the playoffs in miles ran per game at 2.4 I believe.The only other big on the list was KD at 6th….Incredibly well conditioned athlete that does not wear down.
This has got to be one of the best videos breaking down Jokic's genius that I've ever seen. Using the Matrix analogy was pure genius as well lol as that is a perfect way to describe Jokic's game. He sees everything in slow motion and its almost like he is just 2 or 3 steps ahead of everyone else. He knows what the defender is going to do before the defender even knows what he's going to do. He is a pure basketball artist. And yet he gets an unbelievable amount of hate for being "slow" and "unathletic". The dude is the face of the league and the league flat out doesn't want it. It's unforgivable at this point. Hope he brings Denver its first championship. He flat out deserves it more than just about anyone else in the playoffs. Greatest center I've ever seen in my lifetime, flat out.
too many laker fans and warriors fans. laker fans need to be humbled next round1!
Aged like 🍷.
This aged well.
One thing that has stood out to me this season has been the Offensive IQ of the OTHER Nuggets as well - some of these cuts from Porter, Green, Murray etc are really smart plays. A lot of that comes from playing alongside Jokic for so long, some of may also come from Malone's coaching. But this is such a smart team.
This video combined with Gilbert Arenas reminding people that Jokic looks over everyone have finally helped me make sense of it - he is basically playing with an NBA2K view of the court and also has all the moves to execute that vision of what's in front of him. Now i finally understand. 🙌🏿
Their chemistry is so good and Jokic has the ability to take over if the team needs. Healthy right now I say they come out the west
Facts he can sit and the bench can sustain them he can come in and immediately make a lead extend to 15 within a few minutes. He is deff one of those give HIM the ball players His numbers is always great his game is polished and he’s just a big body by time you send a double he already sonned the first guy and is jogging back. KD need to just give it up. He not getting any younger and these foreign dudes and younger teams be sweeping him and guys like Gianni’s and jokic are the reason he couldn’t see another finals
@@reeyadali8516 yal are not beating My Lakers
Nikola is so relatable. He’s not the typical NBA Superstar narcissist. So fun to watch! 🎉 Love him!!
The Lakers and the World are about to see the force that is Jokic
"He will keep it and toss in some running witchcraft" hahaha amazing description of Jokic's move. Great videos as well my friend.
Jokic cannot be stopped. You might take away something of his but that man will always impact the game. He’s amazing. Respect from a a Thunder fan
I'm super pumped about your Thunder. They're gonna be battling with nuggets for yrs to come lol.
Usmone Dieng my dude. I wanna see his progression next yr
AD vs The Big Honey in the WCF!
@@dunningkruger5823 AD won't do shit againts Jokic
@@rollspikegaming7459 🤷♂️
He cannot be stopped, but doesn't mean the team is unbeatable. You'll just have to let Jokic beat you, shut down everyone else
Its embarrassing how little media talks about this guy.
u know exactly why
What's there to talk about? Only thing you know about him is that he likes horses. Has no media/social presence and wants nothing to do with it either. Just an average Joe with extreme talent to play basketball.
@@whiteelb damn
He’s a very humble guy that doesn’t carry himself like the other attention and narrative seekers. It’s sad how the media and NBA won’t put much real respect on him and his team but I’d say that chip on the shoulder for the nuggets really fuels them
@@Paulie_Walnuts89 the most racist people on the planet are black people and its not even close
As a die hard lakers fan, Nuggets have been leaving me shook all playoffs long. They just look scary on both ends of the floor. They have been out hustling every body basically clicking as a team in every basketball aspect; feels like I’m watching the future champs
They’re mid. Lakers in 6. Also, AD is better than Jokic.
@@dotenks Lakers have played against two mid and injured teams. Denver is better and Lebron will be tired af in denver
@@Dsey249 No. We played the 2nd seed and the defending champions.
@@Dsey249 Denver has played the timberwolves and the newly constructed suns team with no depth…
@@dotenks without Steven Adams and a defending champion that’s a 6th seed and significantly worse than last season
Man there are 3 teams that look like championship teams to me: Nuggets, Lakers, and Sixers. But the Nuggets look like much more than a contender. They have a core with many years left and all in their prime. They’re the start of a dynasty
Cap
He really got an assist when Booker was talking to an official 😂
😂reminds me of when Russ threw the ball of him D Book those officials are there to help you win
If the Nuggets do get a ring almost no commentator outside of Nuggets nation called it. 95% of them had us losing to PHX. Ben would be the one guy who deserve some credit for recognizing Denver's potential.
To be fair, I’m a nuggets fan but I thought phx would beat us. Our defense on Durant was way better than anything we showed in the regular season. Denver looks scary
Some people even had Denver losing the Minnesota series!! Crazy af but if you were watching the nuggets all season long you knew they were ready for this
Jokic and Steph might just be the two greatest offensive weapons of all time. The impact they create is truly amazing. They are essentially planetary bodies lol
Hope both play together soon curry is not getting any younger, watching them both in the same team is a joy to watch.
Jokić is truly 1/1. 1st ballot hall of famer for sure even if he ended his career to horse race after this season. His story i guarantee will make a movie one day. Nobody expected a chubby 2 gallon coke drinking kid from serbia with no major teaching or anything. Sleeping during the draft and turning a deep 2nd round pick into for now a 2xMVP and so much more. His records and stats inckuding advanced stats have him near the top of every list eventhough he is a center. Even 2nd to only MJ on some lists! He takes what the game gives him & no more & shares the basketball because he believes it makes 2 people happy. The giver & getter. He plays at his own pace and doesnt let anyone or the game speed him up. Might not outjump anyone but always seems to be the first up and first up on the second jump/tip. Hes a winner. And i hope he gets a title. Because thats all he cares about. He would give it all up for a title. Or his game stats for a W. The most humble guy in the game and one of the sneakiest funny guys you'll ever meet. Great husband wearing his ring on his shoes every game and a great father after recently having a little girl. (Eventhoughommy does most of the work admittedly) Just wish nothing but the best for him as he is kind and works hard. Hope he gets what he deserves.
He also takes over Jordan in playoff PER 🤣
He leads in all PER/ BPM except just Jordan has litlle better per in regular season( he will takes even that in next season) 😁
Gotta win a chip for 1st ballot, nobody will care about regular season accolades in 20 years.
@@thunderqueef The ones that stand above or right next to the GOATs won't.
@@gicueN17R0 Lebron is 1st ballot Jokic is not. Gotta win a chip for that.
@@thunderqueef You don't though. Plenty of greats got in 1st ballot without a ring. Just like plenty of trash players get a ring being in the right place at the right time. The entirety of the career is taken under consideration.
In a world where everything it’s about status and everyone talks about KD and Book thank you for making a Nuggets play video
Amazing, most dominant offensive player i ever seen with Lebron and Curry
Aka you started watching ball in the 2010s. They aint better than Jordan, Kareem or Wilt you i/diot
the chemistry on this nuggets team is top tier
Jokic is so incredibly fun to watch. And when Murray or MPJ are shooting well, the game is over before it begins. Jokic brings focus and wisdom, while Murray brings energy and fun. I'd say if Jokic is the brains of the team, Murray is the heart. I love being able to root for my home team again.
I’m a lakers fan but one thing many of us are thinking is that this is the same nuggets team from 2020 which is a dumb assumption because this Nuggets team is all around better and better at both ends. I wouldn’t be surprised if nuggets win but we’ll wait and see
last year he played basically alone against the champions and still couldn't be stopped
Sounds like Bron 2018 first triple double finals
Great analysis! The dude was picked 41st in the draft and might be on the best 3-year stretch in NBA history! I will probably never be a Nuggets fan but would love to see Joker win it all this year. What an amazing player!
Russell had 3 years with 3 MVPs and titles. Bird had 3 and 2 (3 finals), MJ had 2 and 3, LeBron had 2 and 2, Wilt had 3 and 1…
@@ethanennis8 did you compare the advanced stats as well? Joker led the league 3 years in a row in nearly all important ones.
@@hollins625 All the important ones except winning anything? No one is saying he's not incredible, but you can't say a three year stretch with a WCF appearance as the cherry on top as the best stretch in NBA history...
@@JoeHardacre I said he might be on the best 3-year stretch and will add individually if it helps because I think it's tough to compare individual vs team success. Or in other words: Do you think he ever played on a title worthy team? Hopefully this year so everyone finally sees what a special talent he is.
@@hollins625 2020 was definitely capable of winning the title, that team beats the heat imo. He's and the Nuggets are definitely better now though
Im surprised at how many people are saying the nuggets will walk the series, but I do think they'll win in 6 or 7 ultimately and then annihilate whoever comes out the east
I watched this video a second time just to enjoy and capture the literary verbiage TB uses to describe certain frames, like these masterpieces:
• (Jokic is) particularly aggressive, hunting his own shot, punishing teams reluctant to bring a double
• He can wheel his way into a picturesque Dirk Nowitski fadeaway
• He has magical ability to chisel and carve his way to the hoop
• Inching closer one dribble at a time
• Floating in swishes from short range at weird angles
• Decelerating for a little rolling hook
• Spinning into a nasty upfake to drop it into the cup
• If you count these mulligans as a single scoring attempt
• His historic passing repertoire
• Fall asleep for just a nanosecond and it's over
• Squeezes in an effortless layup pass
• Joker sees a layup when everyone else sees congestion
• That opens up a window for the red-hot Murray
• He just waits for everyone to scurry out of the paint before pirouetting into this Nerf shot
• He will immediately grind them under the basket
• When you send help, he instantly cashes in
• Jokic used his movement to his advantage, slicing off a screen that picks off Ayton
• A playoff nightmare for defenses
• If you even think about leaning, he'll keep it and toss in some running witchcraft
• Teams don't want to switch that ball screen so Jokic can use that window to attack downhill
• Denver ran this a few times earlier in the series so they could set up this gambit in Game 5
Crafty language is just another thing that sets apart these analytical TB vids from the rest of the pack. Just the best!
Well done sir! 👍
Softest hands I’ve ever seen by a HUUUUGE margin.
This.
Everything you see in other players can be seen in more than one.
Them hands tho... Unreal
Jokic is the best player in the world and it's not close, AT ALL
Embiid is better Jokic is a beast, I just think Embiid beats him by a little
@@midcharles7989 I will agree with you if he wins games 7 tomorrow, if he doesn’t, then I don’t want this comparison to be brought up ever again.
@@Paulie_Walnuts89 Come on bro yall gotta chill with the racist talk. The man hasn't been to a finals.
How are they gonna give the man 3 straight mvp and not 1 finals appearance.
Want to know why he kills in the regular season?
His game is perimeter centric and teams aren't playing that hard in the regular season, and especially are not pulling their big's from the paint to guard him.
Regular season is like a buffet for him and he's a child so he eats for free.
I think Joker’s size is an overlooked key to his passing and vision. Consider how someone of average NBA height sees a teammate sandwiched by opposing defenders. To the average player, they would see a very dense and crowded space. But Jokic’ height allows him to see the true distance between the players and squeeze the ball into lanes that otherwise seem well defended. You can think of it at its most extreme to test how depth perception changes based on vantage points (I.e. Birds Eye view vs. First Person).
This team is so good with Jokic, it's crazy. I hope they win the championship. I feel like it has the right balance of "very methodical play" in the team but also have some of that "fuck it lets do it" with players MPJ
I love the way you explain these concepts that alot of fans, including me, miss.
6:16 pure genius play. This reading above two positions ahead
I told my friends after the game let’s expect a Thinking Basketball jokic vid in the next 48h aha
This is beautiful basketball. not the tired pick-and-roll or isolation the majority of the league does.
You forgot to mention that he played the entire first series with an injured shooting hand, and that his shooting percentages were a little lower because of that, although they are still amazing.
Honestly no idea how AD is going to keep up with Jokic on the perimeter and defend the paint. Lakers' defensive scheme only works with AD anchoring in the paint but Nuggets have 5 shooters on the floor at all times with Jokic running point at times. Finna make AD look like Gobert
I guess the Lakers can matchup well against Jokic and Nuggets, they have some defensive guards as well. Just like what they are doing with the Warriors, almost everyone is a shooter but they can guard them well and of course AD can defend 1v1 against Jokic so it's a chess match.
@@JaceGevera Gobert couldn't guard Jokic, why do you think AD can? It will be BBQ chicken with AD is just an undersized center.
He's the best passer I've ever seen, regardless of era or position, and second only to Shaq in dominance in the post. His only weaknesses are defense and offensive rebounding, which he's not even bad at. I hope he wins a couple of championships so that we can start including him in discussions about the greatest big of all time
Bs! Magic is the best passer of all time.
@@Sarcastic_redbeard34 Joker is already better passer and better player Magic will ever be. don't worry you will realize that yourself soon enough
John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Chris paul's assist to turnover ratio say otherwise with a handful of other not named guards on that list as well as Lebron. I don't see the point of spreading that kind of misinformation because most people commenting on here know that.
@Ryan Houser if he keeps turnovers on low number, he will eventually pass all of those, it just takes time
Agreed.
He's as of rn the best player in the league but casuals and even majority of fans don't wanna hear it
Jokic is so crazy, he makes you actually giggle in some plays.
You just laugh at HOW THE HELL THAT GUY DID THAT?
He looks like a magician doing a show.
"Catch with an advantage" perfect words to describe those plays
His feel for the game and understanding of his ability is unmatched right now. I would say he is like Luka in this aspect, but without any kind of ego holding him back as is sometimes the case for Doncic. While Luka would sometimes get frustrated and force plays, Jokic couldnt care less if he has 0 points and will just make the right play every single time. Gotta love the guy.
We need to stop with that Luka - Jokic comparison.
@@yvans. Luka is younger, he still has to build his career
Great analysis! I don't understand why the haters can't appreciate the greatness in this unorthodox big & playmaker. This is a once in a lifetime phenomenon when someone like this appears with amazing basketball IQ and touch breaking the conventional norms how players his size and speed should play. In some ways he is redefining basketball.
You should be on ESPN and TNT, not those ridiculous analysts.
Excellent video, true knowledge, pinpointing details that make all the difference.
Jokic deserved to get the MVP again this year… and now he’s probably going to get a ring in a year when he deserved the MVP even more than his previous 2. and he deserved those awards too!
No MVP should ever be handed to a guy who's team is not going to be dangerous in the postseason and never won a title.
I don't care how good he is, the regular season award or whatever, that happened only once in league history before Jokic, and was a bad decision.
I think last year should have been Embiid. This way, you could have handed Jokic his deserved MVP this year and have a WAY better spotlight on Denver in a season they are actually very dangerous in the postseason and may very well win the damn thing.
Of course, that's my opinion, but that's also 70+ years of history with litterally only 2 exceptions.
@@12gark exactly. Embiid should've won MVP in 2022, Jokic should've won it this year. It all balances out though.
@@thomassankara1391 absolutely, except the fact that nobody was giving Denver their due respect this season. But smart people knew that with how bad Phoenix role player were against the Clippers, Denver was going to win that series handedly.
@12gark facts. I thought Phoenix had a chance cause of their offense, but they were only playing role players. DEN Is Legit. I still think the Lakers win cause they have too many guys. Jokic is him, so is Jamal, MPJ only sometimes. Lakers got Bron, AD, Reaves, DLO, Walker who can all get you 10-25 any night. Well see though
@@12gark
Lmbbfao
My reactions watching this play breakdowns of Jokic are:
* "BRUH"
* "HOW THE HELL CAN HE DO THAT?!!" and
* laughs towards opponents' confused defense
It's insane watching him play. And a lot of his mid-range shots don't even look like he's shooting, it just looks like he's making the ball go in the hoop.
funny way to describe it but i fully understand what you mean, its as if its inevitable
He's the best offensive player in the world and I don't really think it's that close
Jokic is a beast. I want my 2k player to do what Jokic Does. Honestly, I hope he wins a chip this year becasue I'll happily call that guy the best player in the world.
Seeing him compete with Booker like that, and be significantly better than KD speaks volumes. He is so good in 2023 he might be the best. The defense doesn't seem too bad, I think the Curry pick n roll is his kryptonite.
edit: thank you for mentioning his goated floater game. when it's playoff time every year that boy is a walking floater. I been saying this.
I'm low-key rooting for a Nuggets vs 76ers finals because it'll put the two best centers in the game head to head in an era when bigs are considered obsolete. It'll also be the best big man battle in my lifetime if not ever; Hakeem vs Shaq was before Shaq's prime and not close, and I wasn't alive for Russell vs Wilt. Maybe I'm missing some match-ups, but none other of this magnitude comes to mind.
It's about time someone recognizes what he does. Go back to the 3-pointer mid season to win the game from the top of the arc... slow it down and actually watch what he does. He catches the ball, and very quickly and slyly throws two defenders out of the play so he has just enough room for a step back 3 with a hand in the face to win the game. He throws players open, he agitates the defense to open things up. Unstoppable. Also, if he wanted to avg a triple-double, he could have stat padded, but he doesn't care about stats, he cares about winning. That's the MVP, the award itself is meaningless
I am from Greece and started watching NBA for giannis and stayed for jokic. This guy skillset and iq is on an other level. Let the haters hate but jokic already make history. The chips will come no doubt
In order to make history in the NBA, you have to win titles. Let's wait until Jokic wins one title before we talk about history.
@@maniravsadhur8409 I don't disagree with you on the titles but,the performance the passing the vision the numbers and stats already are historical. The chips will come in the next year's for sure
@@NezreNR Nothing is for sure, but I certainly don't deny that Jokic has the potential to do great things.
thank you so much ive been wanting this video since the start of the season... please don't sleep on him next year! still think yours is one the best pages for following deep analysis on basket great job!
best player. should have won 3rd mvp. love watching joker play feels so smooth
the lakers gotta watch this video, also they could look at that reg szn game when the nugs played phily
I'm usually a "defensive player" kinda guy but jokic is prob my fav player to watch right now. He make playing bball look fun and easy.
Aside from the fact that I want my team to win tonight and not wanting to get ahead of myself and look ahead, I really want to see AD vs Jokic in a playoff setting.
This warriors series has been incredible to watch from an Xs and Os standpoint, seeing such a great playmaker match up with arguably the best defender in the league right now would be a great duel
The processing power of Nikola Jokic is utterly insane. He sees the game 2-4 steps ahead of everyone else. It's surreal.
Keep up the Jokic content!
it would be nice to have an analysis on what the Anthony Davis vs Nikola Jokic matchup would look like
6:28 perhaps my favorite jokic play you broke down. Jokic’s passing, iq, and offball movement all combined in one amazing play.
Passing just so you can create a better shot for yourself is such an underrated bball skill.
KCP was a menace in Game 6. If he could be like that vs the Lakers/Warriors, the Nuggets should have no problem winning a series against them.
I can't help but laugh watching Jokic cook these boys in the post. The entire Suns and Wolves frontcourt's were getting this work. Good luck to the Lakers, I'm not sure how you guard this man.
forget 2020 that easy, AD put that man on time out
@@thunderqueef AD had Dwight and Javale who were the ones actually banging with Jokic in the post for the majority of that series. He doesn't have that luxury now so I'm really interested in how he and the Lakers defend Jokic this time around. This series is going to be a showdown of the two most intelligent players in the league in Bron and Jokic. Should make for some incredibly high-level basketball.
MMAANN im just salivating ! finally after all these years we get a conf. final where the teams are led by big men and not guards and wings that run around shooting 3's. Two old school bigs that push their way to the paint MAANN its gonna be a fun series and im happy for whoever wins if Jokic leads this team to a finals birth great ! if AD leads this team to the finals great !
Jokic is so good compared to the league. His choice making on the court is really what puts him aside from the greatest players. I love his quick decision making and how he immediately reacts to the weaknesses of the defence. They don’t want to switch up little guys on him because he will just clear the paint with such a good 3 point shooting team. Bring a double team and his passing will make you regret. He plays smart and efficient basketball. Denver might not be the strongest defensive team but their offense will probably get them a title.
"running witchcraft" is a best definition of the downhill actions I'm seeing this PO from denver
Offensive goat already
Fantastic video as always, Ben.
Best player in the World.
If Nuggets get the ring this year, they will get 3,4 more in upcoming years.
He is amazing g. I never ever ever ever ever ever seen something like this.. Its like Ichiro back in 2000
finally getting the appreciation he deserves now. and he’s got so much time in this league
Nice!!! Love thinking basketball drops 😁😁
And he does all this with relentless consistency. Never seen him have a "bad game" even when his team loses. This is hard to overcome for an opponent in 7 games when the Nuggets are deep with role players that are athletic, have size, experience, and can shoot the lights out. I think only Golden State has a chance of stopping them from getting a title.
Well, golden state couldn't stop 38yo injured LeBron from dropping 30/9/9 on their head on 70% shooting, so you'll not see them try to stop Jokic.
@@12gark I'm legit scared for Lakers. Nuggets looking scary. Not only do they have the talent, it seems Mike Malone is on his A game as well
@@ireplytostupidpeople4750 Nuggets in 5
@@ireplytostupidpeople4750 Best defense x Best ofense. Can't wait to watch!!!
@@ireplytostupidpeople4750 there is no Lakers fan on Earth that wasn't rooting for Phoenix in that series, that's for sure. And there is no Lakers fan that isn't missing having another big body to throw at Jokic in the paint (playing the Howard role in 2020). But "scared" is not the correct world. A little anxious, maybe.
Jokic is the definition of killing them softly
They called porzingis a unicorn coz his skillset is close to mythical, but Jokic should be the Unicorn! One of a kind talent
I've said this elsewhere but honestly, I probably will stop watching the NBA when Jokic retires, that's how otherworldly he is. I've watched every game of his career, so I'm spoiled, and have learned to anticipate the insane passes he makes into tiny, tiny windows (or passes that very few players ever even think of making consistently because of distance or angle or what have you). Like, Bron can make the no look skip to the corner, as can Luka, but Jokic does it at least once a game and from different positions (post, mid post, nail, wing 3 to opposite corner, top of the key, etc). As a result there's no other NBA offense that's even remotely interesting to watch because I see guys cut and move and know that no one can make the passes Jokic does, and realistically they rarely even try to do so even though the openings are there. Jokic is an absolute marvel. He's the best player in the world, the most complete offensive player in NBA history. He's the most consistent superstar in the league and you really, really notice how incredible he is when you watch him night to night. No defense has an answer for him.
Editing to add: People will try to argue that AD can guard Jokic but in all honesty Jokic scores on him just fine. He wasnt the guy who limited and frustrated him in the WCF 3 years ago. That was JaVale and Dwight with 6 fouls a piece, and Jokic is a much, much better player now than he was then. The fact of the matter is, if Rudy Gobert cant guard Jokic, no one can, period.
I completely agree. Watching any other team just isn’t the same. Jokic MVP
Rudy Gobert defense is overrated
So you're saying that Rudy Gobert is a better defender than Anthony Davis... Are you high??
@@maniravsadhur8409 Not in the least (regarding either point you made). Rudy is bigger, taller, longer arms, still very athletic, very strong, and moves his feet well. He's smart and positions himself well and battles Jokic as well as you can in the post. Anthony Davis is great and one of the top 3ish defenders in the league (I'd still say Giannis is better probably). But he's 6'11 and not quite as strong as Rudy is. Is he a better athlete? In his prime he was, though this year I'm not certain of that. Point is, Rudy is the perfect body and athletic ability and skill and toughness you would THINK to guard Jokic. As great as AD is he's not significantly different from Gobert in terms of post/on ball defense (what separates him is his ability to switch and contain on the perimeter at a higher level than Gobert against smaller guys - against Jokic that's irrelevant though).
@@Sean.Cordes its not irrelevant. AD is the best defender in the playoffs. Not matter what joker will have it tough
Looking forward to your breakdown of the chess match between Lebron and Jokic coming up
lakers are going to be the toughest matchup for them out of any team left in the playoffs
Great vid Ben. Joker episodes are always the best.
Great video mate👏👍
Jokic is just insanely good. He's not even a score first player but his touch around the rim and his 3 ball right now is crazy. His game should be a prime example of why big men should still work on post moves and footwork because no one is stopping him 1v1 under the basket unless they foul him. Hope he wins the chip this year to prove all the haters wrong and I'm just glad Minny was able to win at least one game against this great team.
He's just unstoppable at this point
i don't care about the Nuggets, What I care about is giving players the respect the deserve, anyone who still denies that he's one of the best players didn't watch the same game I did,