Nikola Jokic has never hidden his admiration for Tim Duncan. Four years ago, when he was playing his first playoffs against Spurs, he remembered with emotion the first times he had been able to face Spurs inside. “At that time, he couldn’t move like before, but he had easily put me 21 points. I couldn’t touch him, I was helpless. He had found spaces, put in easy shots, set up screens. Just by watching it, you learn a lot. »
Last year, the day after his record contract extension, he justified this choice of stability, declaring that he wanted to become “the Tim Duncan of the Nuggets”. ” It’s really good to be here. I want to be the Tim Duncan of the Denver Nuggets. But I need some titles to be like him. I love the city, the franchise, the people… I really love being here. I don’t want to change anything. »
Tim Duncan and Nikola Jokic, the anti-stars
A few hours before the first game of the 2023 NBA Finals, and therefore a possible first title for Jokic and the Nuggets, his coach Mike Malone in turn spoke about the similarities that could exist between the two players, often compared in their styles of play. But beyond the technique, the Nuggets coach focused on the behavioral aspect, their anti-star side.
“I often make the comparison, I never coached Tim Duncan, but just coaching against him and hearing the stories from those around him, Tim Duncan was a selfless superstar. I consider Nikola Jokic the same way”, did he declare. “He doesn’t want people to look at him, to tell him how great he is. He’s almost embarrassed by the attention he gets.”
Invited for his part to return to the role of model that Tim Duncan was able to play in the development of his palette, Nikola Jokic confirmed that the Spurs legend had “modeled” his game.
“He’s probably one of the best power forwards in history. I remember when he played against me he was a little older, but he still put me 20 points the easiest in the world. He was so patient. I think he’s a great player that you can look up to, that you can rely on to shape your game.”slipped the Serb.
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| Total | 596 | 31 | 55.3 | 34.8 | 82.9 | 2.6 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
