Nikola Jokic has earned comparisons with San Antonio Spurs icon Tim Duncan due to their uncanny similarities in terms of effectiveness, consistency, and leadership style. However, the late great Jerry West believed the Denver Nuggets superstar's game couldn't be likened to just one NBA great.
As a legend and keen observer of the game, "The Logo" once tried to break down Jokic's overall qualities as a player. For West, the best way to describe it was to imagine a seven-footer with a little of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Chris Paul, and LeBron James in him.
"He thinks like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and he's seven feet tall," West told Dave Wohl on Dave's Front Office podcast in 2020. "You watch him, and he shoots shots, and you say, 'Oh my goodness, this has no chance!' But [it would go in]."
Jerry liked how the "Joker" plays
West also noted that Jokic is gifted with a pair of incredible hands, which allows him to grab boards with ease. That said, "Mr. Clutch" admitted that he was blown away by how "Joker" stays relaxed every time he is on the court.
Jerry admired Jokic's ability to maintain his calm demeanor during games, even when emotions are running high, and the pressure is overwhelming. For West, this quality not only sets the Serbian big man apart from his peers but also emphasizes his unique approach to the game.
"The key to him is he has incredible hands," West added of Jokic. "If you look at a rebound, 4-5 guys are there, and he just reaches for a rebound. He can be right in the middle of eight hands and somehow that ball comes out in his hands. He's just remarkable, fun to watch. When he's playing, it looks like he's playing in hammock. He looks so relaxed."
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Nikola's case for Top 10 all-time status
As the Nuggets ' cornerstone, Jokic led Denver to its first NBA championship in franchise history in 2023. Expectedly, Denver was the favorite to win back-to-back titles, but they fell short against the Minnesota Timberwolves in this past season's Western Conference semis.
As it stands, Jokic is undeniably still in his prime, and it wouldn't be a shock if he wins another NBA title. For renowned NBA analyst Bill Simmons, winning back-to-back titles would solidify "Joker's" case as a Top 10 all-time player.
"At that point, it's him against Moses, Shaq and Hakeem. We start arguing about what territory he's in," Simmons said . "The spot Jokic can get to is Duncan, Bird, Magic territory. The 5,6,7,8 range. He's got 3 MVPs in the last four years and finished second in the other year. He's the favorite to win back-to-back titles. It's like the opposite of [Joel] Embiid because there's something so insanely durable about him."
All told, West and Simmons' take on Jokic were bold and profound. It's up to the multi-talented big man to prove them right.
Related: "Our people weren’t aware of how great a basketball player he is" - Nuggets assistant coach says Nikola Jokic was underappreciated in Serbia before the 2024 Olympics
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