Nikola Jokic: Basketball is better today

[LiveFromLondon]

Grown men still harkening back to the time of the Ultimate Warrior, let it go

Sports don’t become better JUST because of time. Look at golf. There still isn’t anyone touching Tiger or Jack in skill or accomplishments and that is a sport that is of the highest degree of skill.

Same with Tennis but more athleticism infused along with the skill gap. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and then a HUGE gap before anyone contemporary can be mentioned

Federer, Nadal & Djokovic are modern players so you'd have to compare them to their 90s equivalent whom would be Sampras, Aggasi & whomever was 3rd in that era. Once you've done that you can answer whom are better Sampras, Aggasi or Federer, Nadal & Djokovic. Then also answer as to why they're better.

As for Tiger and Jack, those are great players ie outliers the baseline level is much deeper and better now in golf and I'd bet that even though I've seen a game of golf ever in my life.

Also it makes no sense comparing individual sports to team sports

 

[lib123]

The Clippers won 27 games in the 93-94 season.
He had an offensive rating of 99 and a defensive rating of 108.

Did you look at Harper’s net rating?

 

[ghostwriterx]

Did you look at Harper’s net rating?

Did they track it that far back? Couldn't find it, don't see how it could be positive given his off/def ratings

 

[Damnshow]

Jokic would do well in any era, BUT he wouldn't be having such a crazy stats if he played 30 years ago because they had an insane big man lineup 30 years ago lol

Any big man would have a challenge stopping Jokic, but what would his stamina be like in regular season when he'd have to play a game against Alonzo Mourning, then next game it's Patrick Ewing, then it's Shaq after that, and after that it's a fukking Hakeem!

Even if we went a tier below we'd have names like Mutombo (bad on offense but elite on defense), Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis, etc.

In today's era Jokic can easily beat a lot of his opponents because they are power forwards playing at the center position or they are straight up trash on offense so he doesn't have to put much effort on defense and he can go crazy on offense.

Comparing NBA from 30 years ago to outdated phones is hilariously bad when that era offered many bigs with great offensive moveset and great low post defense. Stamina is a real thing lol. No NBA player is locking down Jokic completely, but he's forced to work harder on defense against 90s bigs.

 

[lib123]

Did they track it that far back? Couldn't find it, don't see how it could be positive given his off/def ratings

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harpero01.html

Look under Advanced

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

Jokic would do well in any era, BUT he wouldn't be having such a crazy stats if he played 30 years ago because they had an insane big man lineup 30 years ago lol

Any big man would have a challenge stopping Jokic, but what would his stamina be like in regular season when he'd have to play a game against Alonzo Mourning, then next game it's Patrick Ewing, then it's Shaq after that, and after that it's a fukking Hakeem!

Even if we went a tier below we'd have names like Mutombo (bad on offense but elite on defense), Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis, etc.

In today's era Jokic can easily beat a lot of his opponents because they are power forwards playing at the center position or they are straight up trash on offense so he doesn't have to put much effort on defense and he can go crazy on offense.

Comparing NBA from 30 years ago to outdated phones is hilariously bad when that era offered many bigs with great offensive moveset and great low post defense. Stamina is a real thing lol. No NBA player is locking down Jokic completely, but he's forced to work harder on defense against 90s bigs.

Stamina wouldn’t be an issue because the game would be played 10-15 possessions per game slower and half those possessions would involve 6-8 guys just standing and watching on defense.

 

[Copy Ninja]

Grown men still harkening back to the time of the Ultimate Warrior, let it go

Federer, Nadal & Djokovic are modern players so you'd have to compare them to their 90s equivalent whom would be Sampras, Aggasi & whomever was 3rd in that era. Once you've done that you can answer whom are better Sampras, Aggasi or Federer, Nadal & Djokovic. Then also answer as to why they're better.

As for Tiger and Jack, those are great players ie outliers the baseline level is much deeper and better now in golf and I'd bet that even though I've seen a game of golf ever in my life.

Also it makes no sense comparing individual sports to team sports

Golf is a much easier game today. The equipment are much more forgiving, the balls are juiced and you have launch monitors to let players be precise with their distance.

You listen to today's top players talk about Tiger and they all talk about him like he's a mythical figure because they all know how good he was even with inferior equipment.

 

[Lord Beasley]

Shaq not guarding joker anywhere except in the paint. He didn't have to worry about 5s shooting lights out

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Jokic would do well in any era, BUT he wouldn't be having such a crazy stats if he played 30 years ago because they had an insane big man lineup 30 years ago lol

Stats are relative.

Yes, he probably wouldn't have as much freedom to initiate the offense like he does now, but he'd arguably be a more effective player because if you weren't allowed to cheat on him with multiple defenders in his vicinity [zone defense], he'd kill every single 1v1 matchup. He'd also be able to toss away smaller defenders who tried to hack him and wouldn't be whistled for it (like he does now when the likes of Caruso can do as they please when defending him).

Any big man would have a challenge stopping Jokic, but what would his stamina be like in regular season when he'd have to play a game against Alonzo Mourning, then next game it's Patrick Ewing, then it's Shaq after that, and after that it's a fukking Hakeem!

Well, here's the problem with this -

Jokic requires a lot more stamina to play in this era due to all the ground he has to cover on defense. There's a reason why fat dudes like him have more or less been phased out the league because they're too big to keep up. He's an outlier on that front. I can guaran-damn-tee you he'd much rather bang in the post on defense, than run out to the 3-PT line every defensive possession to defend the PnR.

And let's be honest here, the only player 30 years ago that would really cause him issues would be Shaq. Limited ass offensive players like Ewing and Zo ain't doing shyt. And after them, he'd be coming up against stiffs every other game.

Even if we went a tier below we'd have names like Mutombo (bad on offense but elite on defense), Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis, etc.

Jokic wouldn't even need to get out of hibernation for them. Let's be real here.

In today's era Jokic can easily beat a lot of his opponents because they are power forwards playing at the center position or they are straight up trash on offense so he doesn't have to put much effort on defense and he can go crazy on offense.

I briefly touched on this above, but 4s defending him, along with other defenders cheating off their guy present a far greater threat than just one 7ft stiff.

It's harder for him to put the ball on the floor and back down defenders because the moment he does, he's dribbling into some sort of trouble. I think you're underestimating how strong some of these 4s are too and how their lower center of gravity, along with being allowed to hold and hack bigger players is arguably more difficult.

He has to exert far more effort on defense now compared to than he would 30 years ago. He has to defend the PnR, he has to defend big men being perimeter threats and he has to defend guards/wings on switches.

Compare that to not having to step outside the paint, defending the likes of Mutumbo, Bradley, Laettner, Muresan, Radja, Ostertag, Reeves etc.

Think about all the energy he'd conserve on that end back then where he could just stand there and use his frame to stop stiffs trying to get up shots.

On the topic of how easy he has it beating up on PFs, why don't we see what he does against legit 5s who just so happen to also be 4x DPOY -

 

[ghostwriterx]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harpero01.html

Look under Advanced

You looking at his Chicago years?

 

[Michael's Black Son]

Nikola Jokic: It would be stupid if basketball wasn't better now than 30 years ago. It’s like saying phones were better 30 years ago

Nikola Jokic: It would be stupid if basketball wasn't better now than 30 years ago. It’s like saying phones were better 30 years ago

sports.yahoo.com

Retired players are gonna be mad

How would his bītch ass know?

 

[god shamgod]

 

[ghostwriterx]

Stats are relative.

Yes, he probably wouldn't have as much freedom to initiate the offense like he does now, but he'd arguably be a more effective player because if you weren't allowed to cheat on him with multiple defenders in his vicinity [zone defense], he'd kill every single 1v1 matchup. He'd also be able to toss away smaller defenders who tried to hack him and wouldn't be whistled for it (like he does now when the likes of Caruso can do as they please when defending him).

Well, here's the problem with this -

Jokic requires a lot more stamina to play in this era due to all the ground he has to cover on defense. There's a reason why fat dudes like him have more or less been phased out the league because they're too big to keep up. He's an outlier on that front. I can guaran-damn-tee you he'd much rather bang in the post on defense, than run out to the 3-PT line every defensive possession to defend the PnR.

And let's be honest here, the only player 30 years ago that would really cause him issues would be Shaq. Limited ass offensive players like Ewing and Zo ain't doing shyt. And after them, he'd be coming up against stiffs every other game.

Jokic wouldn't even need to get out of hibernation for them. Let's be real here.

I briefly touched on this above, but 4s defending him, along with other defenders cheating off their guy present a far greater threat than just one 7ft stiff.

It's harder for him to put the ball on the floor and back down defenders because the moment he does, he's dribbling into some sort of trouble. I think you're underestimating how strong some of these 4s are too and how their lower center of gravity, along with being allowed to hold and hack bigger players is arguably more difficult.

He has to exert far more effort on defense now compared to than he would 30 years ago. He has to defend the PnR, he has to defend big men being perimeter threats and he has to defend guards/wings on switches.

Compare that to not having to step outside the paint, defending the likes of Mutumbo, Bradley, Laettner, Muresan, Radja, Ostertag, Reeves etc.

Think about all the energy he'd conserve on that end back then where he could just stand there and use his frame to stop stiffs trying to get up shots.

On the topic of how easy he has it beating up on PFs, why don't we see what he does against legit 5s who just so happen to also be 4x DPOY -

Ewing was not "limited offensively".


As far as conserving energy, yeah to a point. He wouldn't have to cover as much floor on defense, guard out on the perimeter etc, but he would have to play a more physical style, banging down low with legit offensive threats who have the offense run through them.


Wouldn't expect anybody other than Shaq (Orlando) to give him much trouble defensively, but he would have to adjust to a height disadvantage most nights. His weight probably offsets that though. He's significantly heavier than most 90s centers.

 

[Osmosis]

 

[MooseMouthMthafuga]

What adults are saying that?

If any are they are idiots.

Kids in this era have the worst experience.
They have far less independence, less fun, less to do, the 1st generation ever to be proclaimed less intelligent than the generations before. Less of a chance of a successful future. Etc.Etc.

I damn near shed a tear for Gen Z.Worst childhood of the last 100 yrs or so.Soon as the come of age, Covid, inflation, might have to live with your parents until you're 40, and that's if you don't get drafted into WWIII