NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is a big fan of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
The Dallas Mavericks legend told Tim MacMahon of ESPN that Jokic is “one of the best players in the world.”
“I’m happy for him. He’s amazing, one of the best players in the world,” Nowitzki said. “And he’s showing that right now on this stage.”
Jokic is having an incredible run in the 2023 playoffs. The two-time MVP is averaging 30.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 10.1 assists while shooting 54.6% from the field, 47.0% from beyond the arc and 80.0% from the free-throw line.
Nowitzki, one of the greatest players in NBA history, told MacMahon that Jokic has a “knack for making tough shots.”
“[Jokic’s] got a knack for making tough shots,” Nowitzki said. “He can put the release point all the way behind his head and then shoot it super high in the air with unbelievable mark. … It’s just something that works for him. I never liked shooting off that right foot on that one. I thought I felt it was super hard for me just to coordinate. It was easier off the left foot, but it actually looks pretty smooth for him off the right leg.
“There’s no way to get to it [as a defender] ’cause he’s also 7 feet and moving away from the defender on that shot. It’s just impossible to get to.”
Jokic, 28, is two wins away from winning his first championship. Nowitzki, who won the 2011 championship, thinks Jokic makes tough shots look easy.
“He has the balance,” Nowitzki said. “He’s got the touch for it. He’s got the high release point. He’s got all the things you need to shoot that shot well. He found that. Obviously he’s not the fastest, most athletic guy. It’s not as easy to keep driving by people and grind all the time. That’s just the shot that he can get off at any time, and he makes it look super easy.”
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