By Henry Hansen
In the NBA, there are numerous freaks of nature. Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant. There are also hyperathletes like Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and Kawhi Leonard. Finally, we have the skilled guards: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, and Damian Lillard. These are the traditional makings of a superstar, the normal constraints to dominance. However, what if there were a player who didn’t fit any of these molds, but whose dominance exceeded any of them? A Serbian center who is on the brink of obesity is dominating the NBA. His name is Nikola Jokic. Nikola Jokic is not an athletic player; his vertical leap is 17 inches, the lowest in the history of the P3 lab. His BMI is 29.0; a BMI of 30 is considered obese. He is more concerned with Serbian Horse Racing than with the NBA. Despite all of this, Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA.
In his 10 seasons in the NBA, Nikola Jokic has claimed 3 MVPs, a Finals MVP, and a Finals trophy. Jokic is not a typical center; unlike others, Jokic does his damage from anywhere on the court. This season, he is averaging 29 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists; He is doing this on 62.1% shooting from the field. The only players who shoot more efficiently than him are centers who rarely leave the paint. Jokic shoots an average of 4.5 three-point attempts per game and uses other tactics as well. This year, Jokic is leading both the offensive and defensive box plus minus categories. He has the largest overall with 17.8. on the season. Jokic has offensive gravity, unlike any player in the league’s history.
Jokic regularly requires teams to send help to guard him. The reason for this is that Jokic has the strength to back down opposing centers, while also being lethal from the three-point line and mid-range. In situations where a center displays these skills, usually sending help works. However, Jokic has one of, if not the best, offensive visions that we have ever seen. Jokic can find the open man in any situation. Jokic is leading the league in assists because he requires teams to send help against him, leaving a man open somewhere. Jokic uses this to his advantage by sending a mind-boggling pass for an easy and open shot.
These mind-boggling passes are not exclusive to the frontcourt. Jokic is the master of fastbreak passes. From his youth in Serbia, Jokic played Water Polo with his childhood friends. This can be seen in his fastbreak passing, as he uses the same grip and arm motion that is seen in Water Polo. He routinely sends cross-court passes right into the arms of speeding teammates for an easy dunk or layup. This dominance has been continuous throughout the season and shows no signs of slowing down. Nikola Jokic has been a monster despite his physique and will go down as one of the best to ever play the game of Basketball.