Nikola Jokic’s extraordinary psychological method to basketball has cemented his standing as the sport’s most intellectually gifted participant, in accordance with friends, coaches, and opponents who proceed to marvel at his skill to anticipate and dictate play on each ends of the ground.
“I’ve by no means met anyone extra curious than him. And I feel it is saved him forward of the curve,” Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman advised Michael Pina of The Ringer. “He sees it coming, man. He all the time has.”
The three-time MVP, who averaged 29.6 factors, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per recreation this season, has constantly demonstrated an unparalleled skill to learn opposing defenses and name out performs earlier than they occur, typically leaving opponents shocked by his basketball prescience.
Mike Conley recalled a second that exemplified Jokic’s cognitive skill:
“He was calling out our play after we’re in mid-play, and we’re like, bro, we won’t run our play as a result of he is telling everyone, placing folks in positions the place we won’t run our play,” stated Conley.
Jokic’s photographic reminiscence extends to recognizing performs from years previous. In line with Adelman, throughout a walk-through earlier than going through Golden State this season, Jokic recognized a set Warriors assistant Terry Stotts was operating that originated from Stotts’ tenure with Portland throughout a 2019 playoff sequence in opposition to Denver.
With the Nuggets navigating organizational upheaval following the latest dismissal of each head coach Michael Malone and basic supervisor Calvin Sales space, Jokic’s basketball mind might show essential as Denver makes an attempt to defend its championship in a loaded Western Convention playoff discipline.
“His IQ and persona brings a sure toughness to us,” Adelman defined. “I feel there’s a comfortability within the locker room that we obtained the neatest man within the league. He isn’t cocky, however he certain as hell is aware of that he is the neatest man within the room.”
Steve Kerr not too long ago referred to as Jokic “the best middle he is ever seen,” including: “It goes to this point past the talent degree with Jokic. It is the demeanor, it is the competitiveness, it is the intelligence. He’s completely one of many smartest gamers ever.”
Nuggets guard Christian Braun put it much more straight: “He watches lots of basketball. Individuals do not understand that. He’ll textual content me about video games which are on at night time. He is simply, I imply, in all probability the neatest participant that is ever performed.”
