Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is frequently compared to Larry Bird, though this comparison is only partially accurate. Interestingly, while Bird is often criticized for being too slow for today’s NBA, Jokic moves even more slowly and yet continues to excel.
The main link between the two lies in their exceptional vision and passing abilities. Bird was known for his uncanny knack for passing while facing away from his teammates, always seemingly aware of everyone’s position on the court.
Jokic demonstrates a similar skill, as seen in a recent play: Positioned near the bench in the corner and half-turned, he executes a behind-the-back pass through opposing defenders to former UNC player Cameron Johnson, who is wide open in the far opposite corner. Defenders Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Svi Mykhailiuk are completely caught off guard.
In our view, this is a kind of play Bird likely couldn’t have pulled off. The reason? Delivering a fast, long pass behind your back requires significant strength—something Bird didn’t possess. Yet, if you had mentioned this to Bird, he probably would have shrugged it off, claiming he had so many other options that such a move was unnecessary. Then, he would have outplayed you in some other way, taunting you afterward for being unable to stop what you saw coming.
Fan Take: Jokic redefining the “slow big man” stereotype shows us that basketball intelligence and skill often trump sheer athleticism in today’s game. This evolution could inspire more players to focus on developing court vision and creativity, potentially changing how teams build their rosters moving forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
