Nikola Jokic was in sublime form last season to guide Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship. Jokic who was denied a third consecutive MVP by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid appeared in red-hot form throughout the season. The Serbian big man was sublime in the NBA Finals against Miami Heat and deservedly won the Finals MVP. NBA great Jerry West, aka The Logo, has now compared Jokic with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, West hailed Jokic as a player who has “the greatest pair of hands.” Evidently impressed by Jokic’s skills, West said, “He is really amazing. He's just one of those players that if you watch him play, he will score 10 points, and he will have 15 or 20 rebounds, 12 assists. But you have to watch him carefully around the basket and some of the shots that he makes.”
Nikola Jokic has impressed the league over the last few years with his individual accolades, but what impressed West the most was his connection with the other teammates.
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According to West, who is a Lakers legend, Jokic is a rare breed of player like five-time NBA champ LeBron James whose “mind makes everyone better.” “These things rub off on your teammates. These kinds of players are rarities, and that's why they're so highly coveted," the 85-year-old added.
{{/usCountry}}According to West, who is a Lakers legend, Jokic is a rare breed of player like five-time NBA champ LeBron James whose “mind makes everyone better.” “These things rub off on your teammates. These kinds of players are rarities, and that's why they're so highly coveted," the 85-year-old added.
{{/usCountry}}Comparison between NBA players has always been a trending topic during the off-season break. There were times when Kobe Bryant was compared to Michael Jordan, while many experts could find similarities between Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
Following his dream-like last season, Nikola Jokic has now become the focal point of discussion on the next generation of NBA superstars.
Before Jerry West could show his admiration for Jokic, legendary power forward Charles Barkley compared him with Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs legend who dominated the stage of the NBA for 19 years. Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Barkley, who was a dominant player of his time and is known for his candid opinions, was asked to share his thoughts on Jokic’s elite footwork.
The NBA legend was quick to highlight Nikola Jokic’s exceptional ability to use the wrong leg while shooting. Drawing a comparison with Duncan, Barkley said, “The thing he (Jokic) tripped be out, those one-legged floaters. Off the wrong leg, and things like that. He reminds me of Tim Duncan.”
Known for his low-key off-court lifestyle, Duncan, a five-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, is often regarded as one of the best power forwards in the game of basketball.