Post by jhb on May 18, 2021 10:34:15 GMT -5
Nikola Jokic
C
6'11"
255
19
Serbia
Jokic is a very well-coached and instinctual player with a very high basketball IQ that allows him to overcome being just an average athlete. Scouts have concerns that his foot speed will be a liability at the next level and his conditioning is spotty to frankly, bad. He does have great length that will allow him to account for some of his deficiencies as an athlete. He's only recently been introduced to the weight room and has shown great progress in this regard, getting much stronger in his recent seasons competing in the Adriatic League. Staying in front of TMBSL-level players on defense will be a struggle for him at the next level.
Despite his shortcomings as an athlete and how that may project poorly for him as a defender, Jokic is a winning player on offense. He plays well within the system and is cognizant of where he and all his teammates and the opponents are on the floor at all times. He doesn't take bad shots and he has an incredible knack for finding teammates for open looks out of the high post. Some scouts have even called him a point center, and he has the ball-handling ability to match that description which is surprising for a man of his height with unexceptional athletic abilities. But he can initiate the offense and does it well. When he does call his own number, he has a developing array of post moves that he can use to outwit his defender and give himself an easy look. He's got a soft touch around the hoop and generally doesn't take a shot if he doesn't think he can make it. He has the requisite strength to bang inside and should be able to use his length and instincts to be a good defensive rebounder despite his athletic disadvantages. His shooting stroke is exceptionally smooth and he's one of the most consistent big men we've seen so far in TMBSL at hitting free throws and the mid-range jumper. He'll be especially deadly on the pick and pop with his shooting ability, ball-handling, and passing ability as he'll be able to attack the defense in a lot of different and unpredictable ways. His range already extends to three point range and with the consistency of his shooting mechanics he should be able to be a very reliable spot-up threat from deep as a professional.