Nikola Jokic is a passing big unseen to the NBA. The cornerstone, the franchise player on an up and coming western conference contender. It wasn’t supposed to be this way though.
2020 Nikola Jokic passes on NBA teams
2014 NBA teams pass on Nikola Jokic
Watching Nikola Jokic last season in the playoffs, I began pondering how this player could be passed on 40 times before being selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 NBA Draft. The 41st overall selection. 11th pick of the 2nd round.
What Happened?
I wondered what had happened. Had Jokic just simply slipped through the cracks because he was a European player? Jokic who is Serbian was a standout center in his homeland as a teenager.
The very curious story of Nikola Jokic isn’t one where he grew 9 inches one summer, a la Dennis Rodman or Anthony Davis. Is it location?
Serbians in the NBA
Former NBA All-Stars drafted in the 1st Round of the NBA Draft include Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovich. In 2003 Sebian super prospect Darko Milicic was drafted 2nd behind LeBron James and ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh.
NBA Gear
I finally set out yesterday to find out the exact reason for Nikola Jokic not being taken seriously back in preparation for the 2014 NBA Draft.
Denver Nuggets Gear
When I started searching for answers I was having trouble finding them. Some thought he was overweight, but is this really reason to not draft a jump shooting 7’0 footer with unseen passing abilities?
Then I found footage of the 2014 Nike Hoops Summit. The hoops summit is an annual high school all-star game pitting Team USA vs. Team World. Played at the Rose Garden in Portland. Its alumni since the first contest in 1995 includes most of the NBA’s biggest stars. Its an elite game especially for overseas talent.
Watching the video above, Nikola Jokic was showing the shooting, passing, and elusiveness he displays now, back in 2014. The scrimmage isn’t against bums either. Did you notice his skill and dominance in this video, was mostly against top NBA prospect Karl Anthony-Towns?
Early Comparisons
I read some early comparisons for The Joker. George McGinnis was one I didn’t understand at all. McGinnis was an athletic jumper who ran the floor with one handed wind-up dunks that were just awaiting execution. I find this comparison just ridiculous. Another comparison was Dirk Nowitzki. I assume its because they’re both white, foreign, 7’0 with a jump shot.
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Must Watch
IF I would have said a 25-year=old was the best to ever do something, well, I can’t imagine previously I would have. I’m not talking potential, I’m talking about right now.
Nikola Jokic is the best passing Big to ever play in the NBA. Jokic and his approach to the game from a passing standpoint differs just in the mentality he takes distributing the ball. This is most likely the biggest difference that leads me to say that I unquestionably think he is the best passing big ever, and the numbers support it.
Nikola Jokic Autographed Jersey. Great Price. Great Buy for any fan
The Vision: See and Skill
Wes Unseld had a superior outlet pass, so does Nikola Jokic. No look, over his head, behind the back in the paint. Passes, passes, passes. Tip passes. Out of bounds outlet passes. Half court in bound, wrap around passes.
Bill Walton and Wilt Chamberlain could pick you apart passing from the block. Chris Webber was exceptional from the elbow. Shaq and Olajuwon could make you pay out of a double team. Jokic does everything with a Pete Maravich or Magic Johnson type-of-flair. No look, in the paint, behind the back, with inches of room to spare passes on the money.
At a glance some fans will see some of these passes and say “that was amazing but it’s half luck”. It’s not until you see him behind-the-back or over his head with perfect precision, again and again, that you realize luck has nothing to do with it.
The Complete game
All this talk of passing could lead an average fan to not realize the 2x All-star also averages over 20-10, with almost a steal and a half.
You could see the talent back in 2014. Most teams in the NBA completely ignored Jokic. Denver saw it, whether orchestrated or dumb luck, The Nuggets drafted Jokic and have a very unique superstar who will be entering his prime shortly. The future looks bright for Nikola Jokic and the fans in Denver rooting for their Nuggets.
