” It’s like: ‘Oh yeah, missed shot’ and then it goes straight. He is incredible. Like others, Kevin Durant, who spoke thus at the end of a big performance of Nikola Jokic (53 points in Game 4 against the Suns), “ hated when the Serb throws impossible shots. Without hiding a touch of admiration, of course.
Anthony Davis can say the same. On several occasions during the conference final, the Nuggets pivot converted in front of him implausible long distance shots and at the end of possession. This shot on one foot, sent from behind his head, now has a name, attributed by his coach, Mike Malone: the “Sombor Sling”.
Nikola Jokic thus joins the line of players with a “signature move” like Dirk Nowitzki before him. Interviewed by ESPNthe legend of the Mavs, known for his “fadeaway” on one leg, believes that the Serbian “ has a knack for taking hard shots, so I wasn’t surprised he ended up doing it. He can release the ball from behind his head and shoot high in the air with incredible accuracy. »
From the “Sombor Shuffle” to the “Sombor Sling”
It must be said that the Denver interior has been working on this single-leg shot since 2017 – it was called “Sombor Shuffle” then – while recovering from a sprained left ankle. As a result, the pivot started sending shots with a final press on the right foot, where the German was using the left to trigger.
” It’s something that works for him. I never liked shooting with the right foot on that shot. I felt like it was very difficult for me to coordinate. It was easier with the left foot, but he seems to be doing well with the right leg. There’s no way to reach it (as defender) because he is also 2.11 meters tall and gets away from the defender on this shot. It’s just impossible to reach », Analyzes the former legend of the Mavs.
Impossible to counter while most of these shots are contested. However, during these playoffs, the Serb displays an equally unimaginable 58% success rate on shots when they are disputed…
” He has balance. He has the touch for that. The point where he releases the ball is very high. He has everything it takes to make that shot. That’s what he found. He is clearly not the fastest, nor the most athletic. It’s not easy to constantly attack opponents and constantly take hits. It’s the kind of shot he can do anytime, and he makes it look super easy “Enthuses Dirk Nowitzki to finish.
