Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic says he modeled his offensive game after San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan.
Both Jokic and Duncan aren't athletic at all. They use their large frames and basketball fundamentals to dominate the game. Duncan, of course, was nicknamed The Big Fundamental.
Jokic, whose Nuggets are tied with the Spurs at 2-2, says Duncan gave him an easy 20 points the first time they played each other even though Duncan could barely move.
“I mean the guy is probably the top two or three power forwards in the game ever,” Jokic said, via Michael Singer of the Denver Post. “So ever. And he won five (titles).
“I played against him in my first year. He could not move that much in that period, but he gave me easy 20. I did not touch him. I couldn’t do nothing. For fighting for the position, pivots, all kind of easy shots, finding the open space, setting the screen. Just watching him you can learn a lot from him.”
Jokic had a stellar regular season for the Nuggets, who had the second-best record in the Western Conference. Jokic averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from the 3-point line.
Jokic has already established himself as one of the best passing big men in NBA history. He recorded 56 double-doubles and 12 triple-doubles during the regular season.
Nuggets fans are hoping Jokic can deliver titles to Denver like Duncan did to San Antonio.
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