If you need the explanation that Nikola Jokic is joking and mocking himself in this answer, you need to step back and work on your sense of humor. Life is too short not to laugh.
Denver has achieved a quality winning streak – including Utah’s 11-game winning streak, with Jokic scoring 47 – and now everyone is looking forward to a landmark game on Thursday against the Lakers on Thursday. This prompted a reporter asking Jokic Wednesday at a Zoom session about how he compares to LeBron James (via Denver Post Mike Singer)
Nikola Jokic on similarities to LeBron James: “The speed is there. We are athletically alike. … I do not know. Can he jump as high as me? “
“… Guys, I’m kidding.”
– Mike Singer (@msinger) February 3, 2021
This is brilliant.
And again, obviously, the man is joking.
Jamal Murray gave a more serious and interesting answer.
Jamal Murray on Nikola Jokic: “The Joker should easily be in the conversation with LeBron, Larry Bird … the way he sees the ground, he’s just an altruistic passer and can score whenever he wants. That’s the hard part, someone who manages to score when he wants, but also passes. “
– Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 3, 2021
Murray gets it right. What makes it difficult to stop some of the big ones is the incredible view and passage combined with the ability to pick up buckets. Larry Bird was that kind of player, as was LeBron – he led the league in assists last year. Luka Doncic is that type of player now. Jokic is not a bucket hunter like LeBron can be, but he can score on all three levels and form a team with his pass. Jokic is playing at the MVP level this season.
It will be interesting to see how the Lakers defend him and how much time Anthony Davis and LeBron earn with Jokic.