Former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl likened current Nuggets center and leading MVP candidate Nikola Jokic to another former MVP.
Karl, who coached the Nuggets from 2005 to 2013, called Jokic this era's version of San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan:
Jokic is the modern era Tim Duncan. And that’s a helluva player to be!
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) May 5, 2021
It's a very curious comparison.
On the one hand, Jokic and Duncan are quite similar in terms of their rather unassuming athleticism. Neither player dazzled with tremendous speed, agility or physical gifts. Rather, they are players who rely on intellect and skill.
Both guys are also killers on the low block. The Nuggets star has been arguably the most productive post player in the NBA. He can take defenders one-on-one, using a drop step to get to the cup or even knocking down fallaway jumpers. If opponents sends doubles, Jokic has the court vision to pick the defense apart and spot the open shooter or cutter.
Duncan was one of the most elite post players in the history of the game. He would routinely face up and knock down bank shots. The legendary power forward also finished with both hands and could score using an array of runners and jump hooks.
Yet, the two are also quite different.
The Nuggets center handles the ball in transition and has been a sniper from beyond the arc. Duncan excelled in pick-and-roll and was a knockdown midrange guy, but the Spurs of old almost exclusively ran offensive sets through the post.
Additionally, the former Spurs legend was arguably the best defender at his position for a number of years. Jokic is not necessarily a bad defender, but he's not All-NBA caliber, either.
Still, both Joker and The Big Fundamental possess a variety of skills and a certain feel for the game. That feel doesn't come to just anybody.
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