With regards to gamers in the newest NBA period (particularly, Publish-Manu’s-retirement/Pre-Wembanyama’s-arrival) there may be maybe no participant I’ve loved watching as a lot Nikola Jokić.
As with Wemby, it’s laborious to place into phrases the totality of what he’s able to doing on any given evening. Granted, his experience leans extra to the offensive finish whereas Victor’s at present leans extra to the defensive, however the comparability stands.
Rising up I had examine, heard about, and even seen some huge males who had been gifted passers. Wes Unseld was (and stays) the presumptive GOAT of outlet passing, a borderline knee-less Arvydas Sabonis was revelatory even within the cramped spacing of his period, and naturally, tales are nonetheless informed concerning the time Wilt Chamberlain led the league in assists in 1968.
However by no means had I (or anybody else) seen what was about to occur when trendy NBA spacing met the psychological wizardry of a younger, considerably doughy Serbian huge man.
Presently Jokić is 4th in assists per sport, 4th in rebounds per sport, 14th in factors per sport, and twenty seventh in steals, only for enjoyable. Averaging simply .8 assists per sport shy of a triple-double for the season (after lacking it by .2 final season) he’s cruising in the direction of a third MVP in 4 seasons, and he’s nearly unstoppable when he’s on the court docket, which is sort of at all times.
In 9 seasons he’s missed greater than 10 video games solely as soon as, proving extra sturdy than not simply each celebrity huge man, but in addition virtually each full-time participant within the league. That he’s finished this whereas averaging 34(ish) minutes an evening is all of the extra spectacular.
Merely put, he’s a novel hurdle for any workforce to face, however one which any up-and-comer is prone to must vault with the intention to have championship hopes within the near-future. The excellent news is that the Spurs have a participant uniquely positioned to develop into an issue for Jokić in Victor Wembanyama.
To be clear, that is extra of a projection for the time being, as Jokić has sufficient of a bonus in bulk for now to push Wembanyama round and bully him within the publish. But when size is the reply to mass, then you’ll be able to name Wemby ‘Oppenheimer’ as a result of he’s going to blow all the things up as soon as he places some extra muscle on. (It’s science. Look it up.)
For now, it’s fascinating to see how he measures up as twenty-year-old rookie in opposition to arguably the very best participant within the NBA.
And actually, that’s prone to be probably the most entertaining factor about this match-up, so you need to in all probability avert your eyes every time these two aren’t on the court docket.
Nearly as good because the Nuggets had been final season, they seem to have lastly minimized their most appreciable weaknesses on the defensive finish. For years the Nuggets lived and died primarily based on Jokić’s offensive other-worldliness, weathering accidents and a bottom-third protection, however along with the offensive steadiness discovered final season, the Nuggets are actually tenth in defensive ranking, and fifth in internet ranking.
There’s at all times an opportunity, particularly if Wembanyama can work out bother Denver on the inside sufficient to pressure them to answer on soar pictures.
It’s a slim probability, however like Lloyd Christmas, I’m undeterred. Go, Spurs, Go!
Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs
March fifteenth, 2024 | 7:30 CT
Watch: KENS5 |Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (Knee), Cedi Osman – Day-to-Day (Ankle)
Nuggets Accidents: Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)
For the Nuggets’ followers’ perspective, go to Denver Stiffs.
PtR’s Recreation thread can be up this night for many who wish to chat via the sport. You may also comply with together with the motion via PtR’s Twitter feed.
