"I think [Russell] has a compelling argument but I think the better argument is between Wilt and LeBron Now, we don't have LeBron as a college athlete but we know he played football up until his junior year and he was All-State in football, had over 1,200 yards receiving and I think double digit touchdowns. Advanced Game Log Roughly two weeks before the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokics name was temporarily removed from the pool of candidates, a decision his agent tweeted about at the time. The questions are if/when Embiid returns, and when he does how limited is he? There's no debating that Jordan is one of the NBA's most graceful athletes, and during his prime, he seeminglyreachedheights that his opponents could not. He ultimately developed a new unorthodox move that would later torment defenses. Watch the moment Nikola Jokic set the Denver Nuggets' all-time franchise record for assists with this slick pass to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the Nuggets took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will be dragged into pick-and-rolls. He was out of shape, in his own world, and still relatively new to the game of basketball. And Jokic does have shortcomings: Hes not a strong defender, even though hes the only center in the leagues top 20 in steals. 41. Jokic closed with 27 points (10-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-9 FT), nine rebounds and nine assists across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 122-113 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. These are two unique techniques that likely stem from. LeBron James is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes in NBA history. Two, just because the regular season didnt go the way we wanted it to go or other people wanted it to go, doesnt mean we werent developing grit and tough habits and good things. Jokic puts a rainbow arc on his shots like no other, and it often requires the camera to adjust. Nico Martinez is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Fadeaway World. Ive never seen him have abs before., How many MVPs created their signature move because of an injury? Embiid has a sprained lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and, as of this writing, is officially listed as doubtful for Game 1. . No shirt on. Maybe its because he doesnt do many commercials and isnt active on social media. One of the most effective plays the Nuggets run involves Jokic catching the ball around the free-throw line, leaving the entire court at his disposal. Stephen Curry dropped 50 in Game 7 Sunday the most points ever scored in a Game 7 lifting the Warriors into the second round with another epic performance. Jokic has been referenced to TB12. Give the Warriors defense credit for some of that, but a lot of it was just the Kings learning how to play in these moments. 18. In fact, hishigh school football coach could only think of one Hall of Fame player to compare James to. Jokic is probable for Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Timberwolves, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports. And while we all know how good he has become, his journey to the league wasn't so easy, and it was far from typical. They said he timed 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. Data Provided By Jokic set a Denver Nuggets record by grabbing 20 rebounds in the first half alone, amid all of his miscues. While it seems likely that the superstar big man will be upgraded to available, Zeke Nnaji and Thomas Bryant would see extended minutes if Jokic is forced to sit out. James not only has Sharpe's vote as the greatest athlete to ever play in the NBA, but also the vote ofBrooklyn NetsguardSpencer Dinwiddie. 25 games) was when Hakeem Olajuwon did so in 1996-97. When Jokic was relayed Porter's message following Game 5, the two-time MVP . A champion. Nikola Joki averages 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. However, that investment by the Nuggets' front office has paid off big-time. James' junior season high school football stats were indeed solid. A deal with Barcelona was in place, Jokics agent said. Sodas in Serbia. Jokic meticulously dismantled Memphis by tossing out 13 assists, feeding his teammates as if he were Mary Poppins among birds, as part of a triple-double in a 14-point win. centers in history to reach such a milestone. 5. 7. Leader. But is the slow poke slower than Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning? At a time when the game began to drift away from big men, Jokic became the first center since Shaquille ONeal to win the MVP award. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: profiles | The average MVP doesnt make this flashy of a pass when double teamed. All rights reserved. Suns' win huge for Paul | Green suspension bad for GSW, Is GSW actually in trouble? Jokic was once stuck between wanting to race horses or play basketball. He began with watching highlights of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, then eventually drifted to the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Magic Johnson. Marvelous in mid-range. This aggressive Curry had some help, but as it has always been with the Warriors, it starts with him. Mikan, Ewing, Reed, McAdoo, and Howard are a tier below Jokic, and Cowens, Walton, Unseld, and Parish are a tier . AST . Right, Born: Its the playoffs, number one. And he once again lived up to the billing. Tracking data for deflections did not become available until 2016, but none of the five prior MVPs reached the feat during their respective award-winning campaigns. Judging by the footwork and pass, those Olajuwon and Magic highlights stuck with him. With new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sitting courtside, Love fired three long passes for scores, with Butlers basket on the last one capping the run and giving the Heat a 74-66 lead. All rights reserved. In the second round and beyond in the playoffs, it can be as much about a teams weakest links and with that places to attack as it is about how well a teams stars perform. Harrison Barnes is a free agent and may be priced out of what the Kings want to spend. Denvers system is run through Jokic, who touched the ball. Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. The reports of the death of the Warriors era have been greatly exaggerated. When he sits, it is the worst, a remarkable swing. 1. Which is pretty insane when you think about all the other times he has left our jaws on the floor. He had a step-back, one-legged jump shot finger rolls, dunks. 12. These are two unique techniques that likely stem from his upbringing around water polo, one of the top sports in Serbia. He added a 3-pointer during it, but his biggest contribution was with his outlet passing. They couldve used his shooting on a day they went 7 for 34 behind the arc, missing a chance to break open the game early and then hindering any chances of coming back. 21. Boston must show a killer instinct and put Philadelphia away if they can. Case in point, the Celtics defense ranked third in the NBA over the course of the regular season gave up 121.3 points per 100 possessions to the Hawks in the final four games of their first-round series (11.8 points per 100 higher than the Celtics regular season average). Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Last year, when Brown was with the Nets, that number was only 38.3 percent. DENVER (AP) Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and Jamal Murray scored 35 points as the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series . Any list without Moses in the top 20 all time shouldn't be taken seriously. You just have to be ready for the ball, no matter where you are or where he is on the court because he can find you, Zeke Nnaji, a third-year reserve forward for the Nuggets, said in the locker room on Sunday. Nowitzki admitted this has become a discussion in the Mavericks locker room. ', Its just Steph Curry. The most unique and unprecedented fact about Nikola Jokic, at least in terms of his status as a Kia MVP, is where he landed in the Draft. The most unique and unprecedented fact about Nikola Jokic, at least in terms of his status as a Kia MVP, is where he landed in the Draft. Judging by the footwork and pass, those Olajuwon and Magic highlights stuck with him. This wasnt a good matchup for Philly under the best of circumstances. Then there is Antetokounmpo, one of Jokic's current NBA rivals. His matchup against Memphis guard Ja Morant on Tuesday was a battle in contrasts. all are 27 or younger. The next game was Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, the only team standing between the Nuggets and the best record in the Western Conference. Hes got abs. Any chance Philadelphia has in this series is rooted in MVP-level Joel Embiid being the best player on the floor in at least four games. He finds ways to touch the ball. He was missing layups and had been called for a technical foul. We present them here for purely educational purposes. This season he accounted for over 40% of the field goals his teammates made while he was on the court, which is the highest assist percentage in NBA history from a center. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokic leads Denver Nuggets to win over I mean, he was Air Jordan.". The carbonated beverage was Jokics addiction, which he quit while on his flight to Denver. In fact, it was so strong that Perkins ended upchanging his stance about a half hour later. Name another MVP that was drafted during a Taco Bell commercial. More: Inside the numbers behind Nikola Jokic's repeat as Kia NBA MVP Considering his probable tag, Jokic should be expected to suit up and handle a full workload once again Friday. NFL Combine news 2022: Treylon Burks schedule, measurements, drill In one of the closest races ever, Denver's Nikola Jokic edged out Philadelphia's Joel Embiid and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. 22. Injured hand because of autographs. His strong contributions while also allowing Jamal Murray to cook (34 points, nine assists) make the Nuggets as formidable as ever. 29. This year, teammates like Gordon, Brown and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are having great years, in part because of the open shots Jokic has created. Do you have a sports website? Each individual will have their own opinion. nikola jokic 40 yard dash time - thietone.com Nikola Jokic RUNS 40 Yard Dash in Nuggets Arena! - YouTube Do you have a blog? NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Get more from National Basketball Association, Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. Hes got abs. Kevon Looney's historically elite rebounding provided separation in a winner-take-all Game 7. You expect it to be tough, coach Erik Spoelstra said. nikola jokic 40 yard dash time. 1995 He would have been drafted by the time he was a sophomore or a junior. 30. He also averaged double-digit rebounds those two title-winning seasons. Nikola Jokic On His Pre-Draft Form: "The Worst - Fadeaway World As a team the Kings shot under 40%, 25.5% from 3, and had an offensive rating of 104.2. Jokic has been upgraded from questionable to available Wednesday, as his wrist injury is reportedly no longer bothering him. . He isnt particularly muscular and often looks winded, with his shoulders sagging. I mean, hes that good, Steve Kerr said. Gabe Vincent scored 20 points for the Heat, who became the sixth No. Nikola Jokic has averaged 22.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 14 games versus the 76ers in his career. We believe that we can do something special.. Nikola Jokic Stats, News, Bio | ESPN DENVER Nikola Jokic didn't look like himself in some ways. 1 when they toppled Milwaukee in the first round. None of that matters when you can deliver touchdowns. The Kings are still learning. The Most Athletic NBA Player Ever? | FOX Sports Thats a lot of weapons. because of his elite passing and signal calling as the quarterback to Denvers offense. Any time a season record that doesn't have Wilt's or Oscar Robertson . While continuing to play in Europe as an NBA Draft pick, Jokic nearly signed with another professional basketball club instead of joining the team that drafted him. The Sixers are lost without him. Mascot mugger. You just start to examine your own judgment and youre saying, Wait a minute, is this person so dominant that he should be installed in this position in a league that has great stars every year? Wilbon said. As he has done since college, Curry digs deep when everything is on the line and proves his doubters wrong this time with 50 points including seven 3-pointers, plus eight rebounds and six assists thrown in. Nikola Jokic sets Nuggets' franchise all-time assists record (3,680 PTS. Nuggets' Nikola Jokic passes NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain on all-time With Jimmy Butler hobbled late by an ankle injury, Miami gets big performances from Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love to take the series opener in New York. easy canvas painting with black background. De'Aaron Fox was 5-of-19. The biggest number is the one turnover. That's how good he was Who would you compare the guy to? 37. One of the reasons the Celtics are such a problem is the wealth of shot creators they put on the floor: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon all can create for themselves and others. Given the wrist injury is no longer bothering him, expect Jokic to go at full throttle in Game 3 on Friday. Latest on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Recap the All-NBA season from Nikola Jokic with a mix of facts, stats and highlights. Hes in competition with LeBrons salsa moves, no? 36. None of that matters when you can deliver touchdowns. 17. Nikola Joki is on Instagram at nikolajokicofficial. around water polo, one of the top sports in Serbia. 9. Hed start behind, but do a slow mans Usain Bolt where his long legs and strides would run down Manning in the last 20 yards. They averaged 124 points in that series behind Butlers 37.6 per game, but they pulled this one out with old-fashioned defense and rebounding that has always worked so well before for them at this time of year. "I mean, when I first started playing basketball back home in Serbia, I literally couldn't do a pushup. But once he made it to the league, he got serious about his game, eventually focusing on conditioning his body and honing his skill set to become one o the best in the game. Stephen Curry had one of the greatest games of his career and that is saying something and the Warriors survive and advance, winning Game 7 on the road 120-100. But either way, once the legendary Russellthrew his hat into the ring, the discussion was on. Jokic put together another triple-double, casually carrying the Nuggets to within one game of advancing to the second round of the playoffs. But by the time that game against the Charlotte Hornets was over, Jokic had amassed an eye-popping stat line: 40 points, 27 rebounds and 10 assists. But I knew that he was having just another Nikola Jokic stellar performance.. He sent me a picture, Nuggets president Tim Connelly, . 28. Some players seem to defy the laws of physics with their athleticism. Wilt Chamberlain has been dethroned as the benchmark for triple-doubles among centers, with Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic now wearing the crown. As slow as Dirk Nowitzki is his average speed on the court last season was 3.7 miles per hour, the slowest of any Mavs player (although the offense doesnt call for him to be the guy on the move a lot) having seen Manning have to scramble a few times this year, Ill take Dirk. Morant, at 6-foot-2, has 19. I was horrific, he said. As the youngest player on the Serbian National Team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jokic led the team in rebounds and helped secure a silver medal for his country. In April, Jokic recorded his 81st career game with at least 10 assists, passing Wilt Chamberlain for the most such games in NBA history among centers. Yes, faster. It wasnt until YouTube came into Jokics life at age 14 that he discovered NBA talent. The Warriors have been in these moments for a decade and had the poise to handle it. Looney played well against Sabonis, but Anthony Davis is at another level right now, can the Warriors contain him? I want to come off the bench. voter, said that voter fatigue is probably a real factor in voting, though not consciously.. Another lock to make the list 25 years from now is Nikola Jokic. That was the amuse-bouche for minutes later, when he coolly tossed a blind over-the-head pass from the low post to Aaron Gordon for another dunk. Unlike the other MVP finalists, Jokic never voiced his desire to win the award. STEPH IS IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN pic.twitter.com/xUR53sB6yy, Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 30, 2023, Steph was elite, Kings coach Mike Brown said. Hecaught57passesfor1,160 yardsand16TDsbefore leaving football behind to focus solely on basketball. And while we all know how good he has become, his journey to the league wasn't so easy, and it was far from typical. Another tool in Jokics bag of tricks: Because opponents respect his perimeter shooting (39% this season), Jokic has mastered the pump-fake that allows him to drive in the lane and knock down silky floaters. 28. 112. Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Pounds glass in rout. He took 18 threes. Its been that way all season. 15. RJ Barrett scored 26 points and Jalen Brunson had 25 for the fifth-seeded Knicks, who are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2013. For a man who makes a living running up and down a hardwood floor, Dirk Nowitzki is not exactly fast. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 8-seeded Heat kept rolling after barely reaching the postseason, beating the New York Knicks 108-101 on Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It wasnt just from the play-in.. Honestly after getting hurt lifting heavy a couple times I'd rather rep 40 a hundred times than try to figure out my max. Sharpe also pointed towards the evolution of technology as a reason why he would put LeBron at the top of his list. With the Milwaukee Bucks out of the picture, this Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics series feels like it could be the real Eastern Conference Finals (the winner of Sixers vs. Celtics will be heavy favorites over the Heat or Knicks). This is why a 6'5" guard likeJames Hardenis being compared to him for the way he scores, and a 7-foot player like [Nikola] Jokicis being compared to him for triple-doubles. Jokic vs. Durant, Murray vs. Booker: Here's everything you need to know about Suns-Nuggets, Jokic on G3 win: 'Didn't want to give Wolves life', Lowe: How the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic have supercharged their average defense -- and just in time. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. It shows that he was athletic, he was versatile. A healthy Embiid can beat the Celtics, but if he is less than 100% the 76ers have a nearly impossible task. I know Nikola Jokic and I wouldn't trade him for [very many] players in the world. West Semifinals - Game 2, DEN LEADS SERIES 1-0. Somber shuffle. How many MVPs created their signature move because of an injury? He was missing layups and had been called for a technical foul. What is a universal truth, however, is that there are several incredibly athletic options. Discovered in Serbian newspaper. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy REB. Former Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins learned that lesson this week when he celebrated LeBron's absurd prime: But Russell, the 11-time champion, wasn't willing to letanyone be a victim of recency bias. inSombor,Serbia Nuggets will dominate again | Can Stars wake up? Jokic posted 24 points (9-21 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 19 rebounds and five assists across 33 minutes during Saturday's 125-107 victory over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. His strong contributions while also allowing Jamal Murray to cook (34 points, nine assists) make the Nuggets as formidable as ever. Although, the more apt comparison for this race would be Charles Barkley vs. Dick Bavetta. But when you're talking about LeBron, you can't rule it out. He is just the total package.. Jokic became the first player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists for four straight seasons. Jokic finished the season with 4.2 points in clutch situations, which is when the score is within five points in the final five minutes. Jokic produced 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds, 12 assists and one steal across 38 minutes during Friday's 120-111 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. 53-29. Jokic, for the third straight season, is leading the league in multiple advanced statistical categories, in large part because of his ruthless efficiency. Rare superstar personality. Jokic is not fast. When Nurkic became healthy and coach Mike Malone wanted to experiment having him and Jokic in the same lineup, Jokic thought the pairing wasnt effective and asked Malone to. Furthermore, neither of them are athletically gifted and received doubts from pre-draft scouts because of their physique. Nothing emphasizes Jokics value to his team more than his gargantuan number of touches on offense. Though the Grizzlies lost, Morants output was certainly that of a superstar 35 points and 10 assists and he, like Jokic, could be in the conversation for the M.V.P. 6. 10. After averaging 12.4 rebounds per game in Denver's first-round series victory over Minnesota, Jokic routinely outworked Deandre Ayton in Saturday's dominant victory. section: | slug: | sport: basketball | route: player_profile_home | When the Denver Nuggets selected Nikola Jokic as the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, people did not expect him to become a star. On-Off. The Miami Heat needed all season to turn into the team they expected, so no way Butler wants to miss a minute of it now. In Bayless' estimation, it's disrespectful to crown James as the greatest athlete in NBA history after the world just witnessed all of Jordan's greatness on display while watchingThe Last Dance, ESPN's 10-part docuseries chronicling the Chicago Bulls' rise to prominence in the 1990s. Defensively, Bostons philosophy has been to largely single-cover Embiid and stay home on the shooters, making the likely MVP beat them. A behemoth of a man, Chamberlainis considered one of the most dominant NBA players in history. Thats on the league for depriving viewers of a unicorn: a slow-footed, lumbering big man who manages to awe on a nightly basis in a way no one of his size and physique has before dribbling a basketball. Nikola Jokic Stats, News, Bio | ESPN (53-29, 1st place in NBA Western Conference), Next Game: And then theres Harden and Maxey. He is not only the first MVP in franchise history, but Jokic is already the teams all-time leader in career double-doubles and triple-doubles. Beginning with Nikola Jokic, who refuses to take himself seriously, individual egos are excised from this locker room. The Nuggets would subsequently promise to select the Serbian prospect at pick 41 if he reentered the Draft pool. Duncan loves watching him play, but his quiet disposition is likely admired, too.

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