In the playoffs this year, Nikola Jokic has been unstoppable as he and the Nuggets attempt to win their first NBA championship. However, the Joker looked to a few past Spurs as he honed his game, long before he became a two-time MVP.

Star player Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has made one thing abundantly evident throughout this year’s playoffs, following what over half of the NBA considered a “MVP-snub”: 

He is just too strong to stop. 

Following in the footsteps of previous NBA greats throughout their careers, Jokic has once again placed himself at the forefront of the discourse after averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists throughout the regular season. All of these metrics have grown in the postseason. 

After the Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1, ESPN’s J.J. Redick declared, “Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world right now.” “In NBA history, he is the first player to ever record 30-point triple-doubles and shoot 70% on the field in back-to-back games. Jokic is the best basketball player in the planet.” 

While it is undoubtedly impressive to be named the league’s best player for several consecutive seasons, Jokic’s situation is unique in that he has achieved this without even attempting to draw attention to himself. 

The 6-11 big man doesn’t use social media because he believes it’s a waste of time, and he typically responds to questions about his accomplishments, such as winning the MVP Award, in a way that makes him stand out from other NBA players.

“I never play basketball to win individual awards,” Jokic stated. “Therefore, [the] MVP is nothing more than a plot device used by the public and media. Thus, if something occurs, it does. That is not why I play. As previously stated, I’m content as long as we’re winning.” 

Jokic has had a fairly nice season. With the best record in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season, the Nuggets lead the East-champion Miami Heat 1-0 in the series. 

But before becoming the “best player in the world” and the face of the NBA, Jokic grew up idolizing some of the greatest San Antonio Spurs players. 

After the Nuggets won Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Jokic remarked, “Back in Serbia, I didn’t follow the NBA that much.” However, it was Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Boris Diaw, and Dirk Nowitzki when I arrived. Such kind of players.” 

The Nuggets star’s amazing passes on the floor make it practically difficult to double team him, and his court vision only serves to enhance that reputation.

He can score from wherever, though, when he isn’t passing the ball through your legs, behind his head, or across the court.

In terms of 3-point shooting, Jokic was among the best centers in the league, ranking among non-centers who also excel at deep shots. However, he also had the type of versatility that the Spurs needed, as he could score from the midrange like Dirk and Aldridge, in the post like Duncan, and on the court like Diaw did in 2014.

It’s no secret that Jokic was successful in his quest to emulate the legendary players from the Spurs, but he has since added a twist to his game that has caused discussion among numerous players, coaches, and commentators. 

Is he truly that talented, and if so, why is it so difficult for teams to stop him? 

NBA Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon remarked, “He’s playing the game and you think he’s not serious, but he’s so effective.” “He doesn’t appear to be powerful, but he appears to have a deep post position. I speculate that it might be a mismatch, yet he acts the same way around bigger guys.”

“His shot, his fakes, they are very difficult to time,” he stated. “You have no idea when he is acting sincere or not. He is cunning!”

Whether by trickery or not, Jokic has lived up to his moniker as the Joker and has terrorized the other team’s defenses on the floor. 

He has defeated big-time centers like Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Davis thus far in the playoffs, but he has also put an end to strong offenses led by All-Stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and LeBron James. 

Similar to the rest of the league during the Spurs’ glory days with Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, no club has appeared to have an answer for him yet. 

The Miami Heat are no different, and in order for Jokic and the Nuggets to continue chasing their first NBA championship, Miami will need to slow down the Joker—something that no other team has done this season.

It really is a tall order. However, at times it appears achievable, until your momentum is destroyed by a disheartening top-key 3-pointer. Or perhaps Aaron Gordon, who is on a roll, is getting a no-look dime under the basket. Maybe an offensive rebound set up a pass that finds Michael Porter Jr. wide open on the wing. 

Jokic “has his tricks,” any way, and he’s not done showcasing them just yet. Until he has the Larry O’Brien trophy, and probably the Bill Russell trophy as well, that is, at least. 

“We know as a team that we are capable of [doing something],” Jokic remarked after his first-ever NBA Finals game. “As a team, we’re not at ease, even though we knew from the beginning that [this year] would be different from the previous eight. It is imperative that we maintain our concentration.

“Our mentality is not relaxed, it’s just to get better.”  

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will play Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night at 7 p.m. CST. Jokic’s squad will be hoping to take a 2-0 series lead before returning to South Beach.