Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is playing in the postseason for the first time in his career, and the All-Star big man is making the most out of it.
He's been dominant in terms of scoring and rebounding so far, but one of the most impressive aspects of his game is his ability to pass the ball. He's been averaging close to eight assists so far in the season, and he just logged 14 dimes in the Nuggets' 140-137 4OT loss against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3 of their Western Conference semi-finals.
In a recent interview with ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Jokic said that his mentality towards passing has always been about taking risks and not being afraid to commit mistakes.
“If I see something, even if it's risky, I am going to try it. Because maybe that mistake is going to open up something else, or next time it is going to be there just to give it a chance. … I know it's every possession matters, but I think maybe that possession is going to open up the next three or four times, something else just to see what the opposing team is doing, you know?”
Jokic added that he loves to read their opponents' defense, as it has allowed him to constantly improve his passing skills throughout the course of his career.
“I just look where [defenders are] standing, what they're doing, what they're talking about, just listen to everything, You need to learn their calls, how they're coming from the baseline and the nail [middle of the free throw line].
Jokic's court vision can already be compared to an elite NBA guard, and that's one of the reasons why he's become more unstoppable. He can definitely go head-to-head with the league's best centers, but when the opponents decide to send an extra body to guard him, he usually makes the perfect pass.
At 24 years old, Jokic is just starting to reach the peak of his prime, and who knows how much better he'll be when that time comes? For now, the Serbian star is enjoying the playoffs and the possibility of the Nuggets winning a championship.
Maybe this June he'll start to pass the champagne to his teammates.
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