Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic's all-around talent is drawing comparisons to Larry Bird, as is his shooting form.
After Jokic torched the Utah Jazz for a career-high 47 points on Sunday, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said Jokic was “a 7-1 center shooting the ball above his head like Larry Bird,” per Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Snyder said Jokic's unorthodox form and arc helps him get his shot off, even against monstrous opposing centers like Jazz big man and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Indeed, the Nuggets star made all four of his 4-point attempts on Sunday. He shot 17-for-26 from the field, decimating Utah with an assortment of jumpers and running hooks in the lane. The Serbian got just about whatever he wanted, though he let his play do the talking.
Unlike Larry Legend, Jokic is not much of a trash talker:
“I never talk trash to anybody, I’m just playing the game,” Jokic said, via Vardon. “I think that’s, I’m really into the bad karma, you know, karma’s going to get you back if you’re cocky or whatever.”
Despite the absence of on-court chatter, however, players and coaches around the league are awestruck by Jokic's talents at the center position.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich previously compared Jokic to Bird and fellow Hall of Fame center Moses Malone, calling him impossible to guard.
The 25-year-old Nuggets center sure has been difficult to stop this season. Jokic is averaging 26.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists. He uses his size and handle to gain an advantage in the post, but opponents also have to respect the perimeter jumper, not to mention Jokic's ability to zip passes all over the floor.
Jokic is generating early MVP buzz and continues to wow his peers in the process.
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