Nikola Jokić is VALIDATING Former Legends

A breakdown of how the Joker is reaffirming the legacies of many greats who came before him.
-----
Make sure to subscribe for more NBA History!
Follow Me on Instagram!
Instagram: / jonnyarnett. .
Interested in connecting more with the this Basketball community? Join up on Discord.
/ discord
______
The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
______
Intro Music: Turn On - RW Smith • Turn On - RW Smith (No... ​​​​​​​​​​
-----
#nba #basketball #finals

[@jonnyarnett]

What’s the dumbest narrative/criticism about an NBA player?

[@vokenfinnesin9197]

kd being a snake

[@DanielS-gv5nj]

Tim Duncan was only great because of Popovich. Popovich was only great because of Tim Duncan.

[@oinkypiggy7754]

@@DanielS-gv5nj Popovich is greatest coach, Duncan is greatest power forward

[@fortnitejake850]

LeBron isn’t clutch

[@justincarreras7753]

Kobe was selfish

[@ForceOfWill100]

As a bit of an "old head" I absolutely love Jokic. He's the complete opposite of the flashy, highlight tape, instagram workout video, shot-chucking AAU wannabes who are so common today. Quiet guy, puts the work in, and dominates the game with intelligence, footwork, and unbelievable efficiency. Bonus points for being a beast in the low post, he has the footwork and skills of an old school interior big.

[@celtics17banners84]

Thank you. Anyone who has eyes can see how good Bird was. It’s mind blowing how people still try to diss him

[@stpbasss3773]

Most people that talk shit on him are young and never saw him play at all and have probably not even seen highlights, just talking out their asses.

[@HumanBeanbag]

It's only because he's white. People can't handle it.

[@cfl4286]

@@stpbasss3773 I never saw him play but still can see how insane he was. I mean anyone that wins 3 mvps consecutively is bound to be good. People that say he couldn’t play today are uneducated but also willfully ignorant.

[@Dottor_J]

Guys like MJ, Kareem, Lebron and of course Magic say that he's one of the best ever. I think that's the best endorsement possible lol

[@keithjoseph128]

Because over the past quarter century "fans" are taught to prioritize athleticism over skill and the NBA has prioritized potential over skill.

[@erikbaumgarten739]

The great Johann Cruyff once said:"You play football with your head and your legs are there to help you" and i think this saying translates very well accordingly to all other team sports

[@samsonthecurrent]

Thanks for the quote! That’s the first time I’ve heard that. His “Turn” is still ridiculous half a century later.

[@hairjordan2620]

Truth is the 90's NBA had plenty of terrific athletes

[@Amick44]

Even the 60s had quite a few good ones.

[@markocurcic6314]

I'll just say David Robinson.

[@hairjordan2620]

@@Amick44 very few, Elgin Baylor was an athletic wing and was almost considered alien at the time lol

[@Amick44]

@@hairjordan2620 Baylor truly the 1st. Gus Johnson, Connie Hawkins, Joe Caldwell were exceptional athletes as well.

[@iamhungey12345]

@@markocurcic6314 Don't forget Olajuwon.

[@TeutobergForestryService]

Jokic has elite hand eye coordination. Elite reaction time. Excellent timing. Elite endurance. Ox strength. Just because he doesn’t look like Dwight Howard doesn’t mean he is unathletic

[@JosephRockford]

That’s the point of the video

[@jonathanikeda8727]

Athleticism without any important skills is worthless and limited. For example, Dwight Howard doesn't have the ability to shoot like 3 point. If a center does have the ability to shoot 3 point, then he would become a deadliest player of all. There is no wonder that Nikola Jokic may be the most unstoppable monster in NBA history due to his versatility and IQ.

[@PastLifeVillian]

Yeah dudes in 2060 will look at how Lebron was playing against guys that look like Luka and Jokic and be like "Lol he could never survive today! He was playing Twitch streamers and doordashers!"

[@DeeReeseBeats]

It'll be a never ending cycle lol

[@cornbreadmilton5265]

I will b the 63 year old man SMFH n then enlightening those youngens

[@lovinv08]

Those them transgender, transhumans will probably be really good tho

[@gv327]

Lol Lebron WAS the doordasher considering Jokic swept his ass.

[@ra_in900]

@@gv327made no sense

[@nerdymidwesterner3662]

Nikola Jokic has some underrated aspects of athleticism as well. He may not have defined muscles, but the guy is strong as shit and can utilize his strength in the post just as much as his soft touch. Not only that, but he has the amazing endurance to keep moving up and down the court, running barely less miles per game than his teammate, Jamal Murray. From the eye test as well, he's got the hustle and keeps moving.

[@chrollodranx-hunter3389]

Don't forget his unworldly balance and hand eye coordination

[@manwerama]

That's certainly true, but it's not what a typical fan has in mind when accusing someone of being unathletic. In my experience, it's usually leaping ability, bulging muscles and raw speed. Useful, but not crucial, at least in my opinion.

[@lc9245]

He definitely can jump, when he wants to, but not often because it wastes energy. His spin moves show he’s more than nimble enough, but he doesn’t do that often because, it wastes energy. I don’t understand the athleticism nonsense when dude literally played like Shaq by backing down on defenders rather than doing step back. He’s big, strong yet nimble. He just likes to play a certain way. Speaking of which, they also say Luka is not athletic because of the “look” when he had shown time and time again his quickness and strength. It just makes no sense.

[@shorewall]

He's not cut. That's it. His muscles aren't defined. That's it. It's like they want their NBA players to look attractive or something.

[@nerdymidwesterner3662]

@brentwaller37 Yeah for real. Like, are the numbers, efficiency, effort, and overall dominance in the playoffs not good enough or something?

[@andrewcook1246]

Anyone who doesnt over dribble and take inefficient shots is considered unskilled. Players from the past are just as tall and fast. Its called rule changes.

[@piggybankvillan]

One of my favorite things about Jokic is his gait when getting down the court. I feel like I can vicariously live my dead NBA dream through him sometimes.

[@GothPaoki]

As someone who watched Bird dominating players much more athletic than him it's so satisfying watching "fat" Jokic destroying these monster athletic modern players who according to modern nba fans who didn't watch anything pre LeBron would be unmatched to the slower , unathletic guys of the 80s,90s.

[@ChrisClaybern]

Bird struck terror in the hearts of many h O.f. players from his era.

[@MrE_]

I imagine 20 years from now, people will be calling this era weak for the most dominant player being fat jokic

[@cfl4286]

@@MrE_ willfully ignorant/uneducated fans will. That and they’ll say little curry would never be able to run around and score in the newer league. Circle of life I suppose lol

[@leftnrighthandofgod]

@@MrE_ the most dominant? He got one ring lmao and it took beating a 8th seed a 7th seed a 4th seed and then a 8th seed. Dominant huh

[@Jonathan-A.C.]

@@leftnrighthandofgod Dawg, you’re saying Jokic and the Nuggets aren’t gonna be around the top for the next couple years? Stop the cap. Also Seed has nothing to do with it. Heat ARE the best. Nuggets ARE the best

[@Sf75178]

This is one of the best videos you have done. You see a lot of comments degrading previous decades calling them plumbers unathletic and so forth. It does your head in. Jokic is a legend doing what hasn't been done before despite being called the same

[@D22_T]

Only lebron fanboys diss bird and anybody MJ played against

[@D22_T]

@@TheJuggernaut-qt9cs being 100% truthful the only “disrespect” I’ve heard from Jordan fans is that this current era of basketball players are soft… I’ve never heard them say “lebrons era or Kareem’s era was weak and full of plumbers”…. Or anything like that… the only disrespectful comments about eras come from lebron fans in my experience..

[@marcusaurelius5149]

@@D22_T I'm a Lebron fan and I've never said anything like that. People with memories know that, as the video points out, the "unathletic Steph" has ruled the West for a long time. I was hoping this was our year when we beat the Warriors only to get swept by the "unathletic" Joker.

[@soloistdeve]

@@marcusaurelius5149 There is a difference between a Lebron fan and a bronsexual bro chill.

[@marcusaurelius5149]

@@soloistdeve Whatever you are you're just as bad as the people you claim to hate. Probably worse.

[@slimfingas904]

By the way, two of the most athlethic gifted players to this day played in the 60s.

[@littyagain9402]

which one is more athletic than jordan and lebron

[@alokinchi]

Wilt and Bill you mean. :)

[@stpbasss3773]

​@@littyagain9402 Wilt just watch a video about his athleticism

[@MichaelDavis-eg1pp]

Wilt Chamerlain is single greatest physical specimen in the history of sports

[@anubis4032]

​@@littyagain9402i mean wilt and Bill were almost as athletic but taller

[@synthlordvr]

Larry Bird would have a similar impact in today’s NBA as Jokic. In fact, his back might have survived a lot longer if he played today because the game allows far less contact.

[@jp3813]

Even though Dirk Nowitzki wasn't a triple-double machine like Jokic is, I've always felt that he was the first to validate the likes of Bird in the 21st century.

[@juliothom2408]

It's satisfying when Jokic, Luka, and KD prove their skills and others are proven wrong. Because you cannot see Jokic excel and EVER say Bird couldn't cut it today.

[@allexsanchez2714]

Why is kd so slim man.

[@eliascommentonly4652]

🇪🇺👋🏀athens EU 1982🇬🇷🇬🇷12;15🏀👋👋 Athleticism is for show Skills are for scoring... Athlete and a regular player who has NBA ring 💍🏀🏆🏅🥇 Lebron is athlete without ring💍 Lary bird...nikola jokic .......have rings💍 at least 1 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🥇🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@michaelzeigler3733]

Larry bird was dominating a league with magic and Kareem Moses Malone and dr j Dominique Wilkins michael jordan Hakeem the dream I mean on and on bird was a special player

[@theonlygoodonehere2259]

KD??? all people talk about is KD, and how unguardable he is, and how no one has a chance of stopping him

[@Nix-qq5je]

Don't forget what a 33 year old Dirk Nowitzki did to the hyper athletic 2011 Heat in their prime.

[@brotherblack8961]

Basketball has and always will be a skill game. No matter what people wanna say.

[@izzy031096]

Most sports are. We love to glorify the insane athletes, but the purely skilled guys and the hardest workers are always the best players.

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@izzy031096 like FLOYD

[@broaddusmarines]

When Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant (RIP), Isiah Thomas, LEBRON JAMES, Bill Russell (RIP), Wilt Chamberlain (RIP), and Dirk Nowitski, have Larry Bird on their personal Mount Rushmores, the opinions of some random Millennial casual fans don’t really matter. But yeah, Jokic and Luka dominating the NBA killed that silly narrative about Bird not being able to play in the “more athletic” current NBA. Larry Bird on THIS current Celtics team is hanging another banner in Boston in 2023.

[@crosswiz6]

Essentially this is more a game of SKILL than athleticism.

[@nunyabizwacks6711]

yea, at the nba level atleast. I feel like that athleticism is what carries dudes thru HS and college and will make you beat most non athletic guys during those times but once you get to the highest level, the skill becomes waay more important. And thats why guys with both are some of the goats of the sport, i.e Jordan, Lebron. But alot of strong, super athletic guys may be prone to not working on skills as much...another reason a guy like Lebron is so good. Came into the league an athletic monster but constantly worked on his skills and fumdamentals which is why hes so viable at his age now. If you watch Lebron thru the years, you can actually see him transform into a guy whos a legit threat from deep, facilitates at the highest level etc. One of the most athletic PLUS highest IQ guys to ever play, which is what puts him in that goat discussion

[@cornbreadmilton5265]

Yeahp u da nail on da Head

[@shorewall]

So many busts who could jump out of the Gym, but couldn't play winning basketball.

[@cornbreadmilton5265]

@@shorewall I'm literally watching while hearing my Pops talk about it.

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@nunyabizwacks6711 yep

[@Asshat237]

Jokic is proof that Bird would definitely be able to hang. The ball can move much faster than any player. Basketball IQ on that level will always be a star provided the player is a good enough shooter and athlete. An example of a player who had the IQ, but

[@kennethward4985]

Of course, Birds game was his mind and he is still smarter than 99% of NBA players.

[@blknazn1]

Been saying this same thing to this new generation of fans. Ive always found it hilarious that in the same breath they can say Bird was a bum or overrated but call Luka a god

[@slimypickle19]

As a coach who struggles to get across the fact that being mentally strong is 4X more important than being physically strong, Jokic is proving all us "Boomers" / "old heads" right.

[@cumbusta9175]

That’s true asf, take Deandre Ayton for example, got all the physical attributes in the world that you would want from a center but is arguably the softest player in the league, dude being having guys 8 inches shorter then him guarding him and he be scared to go up wit it🤦🏾‍♂️

[@leftnrighthandofgod]

Bc of one ring. Okay gang lmao

[@slimypickle19]

@leftnrighthandofgod Giannis, the most athletic specimen in the game for the last several years, has the same amount of rings with the same level of supporting cast too, gang. Lmao

[@leftnrighthandofgod]

@@slimypickle19 giannis not the most athletic player in the last several years lmao and no one said giannis was dominating either. You have proven nothing.

[@slimypickle19]

@leftnrighthandofgod what have you proven? You literally have no take on an argument, just bashing other justified opinions without giving your 2 cents. Tell us who you think is the most athletic then.

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

Watching Jokic in these finals reminds me so much of Bird, obviously way different position but the court vision and craftiness is so similar. Plus in these playoffs Joker is shooting like Bird too lol

[@ermilgabuat265]

Probably because Jokic binged on a lot of Bird YT videos according to him (not to mention TD and MJ).

[@javigar133]

I would not put Bird and Jokic in the same sentence until Jokic wins 3 chips, 3 MVPs and 2 FMVPs in 12 years. All, while averaging 50/40/90 and 27-11-8 for 4 years. Then, we talk

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

@Javigar13 where did I say he was as great as Bird though? The ridiculous crafty passing is 100 percent Bird like. Comparing styles is a completely different conversation than who's "greater"

[@jonm7888]

Sometimes, he looks more like Magic running their half court offense.

[@angahbg9089]

​@@javigar133 jokic never had mchale and parish.

[@lovinv08]

Duncan wasn't athletic after about his 4th year n he got it done too

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Great point! Duncan was a great example of skill,size and IQ.

[@exiledknight3961]

Europeans have always stated that Americans value the wrong qualities in basketball.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

The traditional bigmen not being skilled argument is ridiculous.

[@RetroNBA42]

Kids nowadays only associate skill with ball handling and 3 point shooting

[@davyunwashington3613]

@@RetroNBA42 it’s more than that now bigs have to guard decent on perimeter can’t be slow footed and now although don’t need to space out the perimeter any kind of way or the paint would be clog out and turn into 4 v 5 situation but Jokic is anomaly he a legit point center not only he can initiate your offense can playmaker for the post he post game and foot work is very underweight he can play the passing lanes well and he can space the floor very good

[@davyunwashington3613]

It’s not that it just u can be post big but u need to know how the space the floor look a brook Lopez he was a post bug but then transitioned to 3/D big and can still score in the post if neeeded ie hawks series

[@MaximusR93]

Honestly I don’t think coaches these days know how to mix the big man in the game, but it’s actually a great time if you’re an outlier like Jokic. Rarely do teams have two bigs playing at the same time like in years past, opening up a lot in the paint.

[@davyunwashington3613]

@@MaximusR93 they actually do play two aka the bucks and 2020 lakers it just both big men has the be skilled and not a liability from the perimeter offensively and defensively

[@bradpidgeon3426]

43yo Aussie here and watched most of your videos... this is your best yet because of the point it makes. Absolutely 100% on point

[@kingdeedee]

Players like Luka Doncic and Zach Randolph also come to mind when thinking about elite players who weren’t all that athletic

[@lakerfan2874]

Marc Gasol was what Jokic is now minus the defense. If we're looking at the heaviest point of Marc's career, then Jokic added the 3 point shot. You can take Kwame out of that 2008 trade for Pau, and it would've been a win-win in hindsight.

[@kingdeedee]

@@lakerfan2874 I wouldn’t quite say that, Gasol’s scoring ability definitely was never on Jokic’s level even without the 3 point shot but Gasol was definitely one of the blueprints for what Jokic developed into no doubt

[@samsonthecurrent]

…Kyle Lowry (just played in the Finals against Jokic), Paul Pierce, Shaq, Charles Barkley, James Harden, Joel Embid (The last 3 MVPs are all “unathletic”.), Tom Brady, Jerome Bettis, the widely-assumed 1st overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama…

[@brianmorton963]

Ive said it for 20 years, running and jumping does not an athlete make. The aspect that holds the most weight is coordination and its not even close. running, jumping, quickness are all gravy. The person with the best coordination is almost always good at every sport

[@damboulton]

Holy shit dude you've been absolutely killing it with the videos lately. Keep these up 👍

[@GMoneyXL1969]

Larry and Nikola has another attribute in common......Hustle.

[@MCRAIDER40]

Unreported fact… Bird was 6’10 also he had the same vertical as Karl Malone but somehow Malone was never called unathletic

[@jeromejr2]

To say that Jokic is as athletic as Bird is a disgrace to Birds legacy. I watched Bird growing up and saw him rebound and dunk consistently over other players. He just wasnt the most athletic guy in the league but he could keep up with anyone. He didnt need these current rule changes to succeed like Jokic.

[@Buttington_Headerson]

pre injury Bird like pre injury Dirk was a good not great athlete

[@futureDreamer4]

Today's NBA players have all the medicine and technology. Yet they get injured more and load manage every season.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

😂Load management.

[@pat99121]

The crazy thing is 30 years from now Jokic will be underrated and disrespected by the youth coming up when they look up his highlights. People will always overrate athleticism.

[@gmen1267]

I agree with everything you said here, and I'm glad a "basketball youtuber" finally made a video on this subject. I've been rooting for Jokic to stack MVP awards so that the "casuals" of today will hear the same ludicrous stuff they're saying now in another 20-30 years from future "casuals"

[@20_foot_burmese_pyth0n]

I don't think people understand that calling Jokic "unathletic" as a negative is an insult to the league as a whole. Because that means that every player in the NBA right now who is faster, stronger and leaps higher than Jokic is being dominated by an "unathletic" guy.

[@samsonthecurrent]

This is such a good point.

[@soloistdeve]

Yes, he's changing the game. The first point center. He may look unathletic but he was pushing Lebron around like a rag doll how about that?

[@carnage5350]

jokic is definitely among the strongest players in the league

[@angahbg9089]

​@@soloistdevehis haters will always ignore that stuff. There is not more than 5 players that Jokic cant bully in the post... Steven Adams has always been talked as a strong man... Jokic moves him easilyyyyyy in the post

[@soloistdeve]

@@angahbg9089 He can move anybody today. There are no big ol' centers down there.

[@JGABRIELFREIRE]

I´m really impressed on how far the channel has grown, watch every vid for 3+ years, always very good quality, and most of all the iconic intro. it gives me nostalgia every time I watch your vids.

[@andrewwebster15]

Dude, you are prolific these days! Keep it coming! I agree with this, and the take I’ve heard you offer before, about comparing generations.

[@wompastompa3692]

"Those muscles ain't gonna help you." Larry LEGEND

[@brianelam9297]

Great job explaining this. Basketball isn’t powerlifting or even track and field. There is certain advantages being physically fit, but its not as important as skill.

[@hairjordan2620]

This video was much needed, thank you for this 👏

[@jsn23nc]

90s player was biggest players. All Centers and Power Forwards was big. But still no one could hold Shaq lol😂😂😂

[@norvlak160]

Something else to think about too is he’s a big man and by him not having much of a vertical it’s possible that in the long term his body holds up better because he’s not jumping up so high and landing so hard on his legs

[@nunyabizwacks6711]

oh 100%. I def feel like theres something to that and not even just the jumping part but alot of factors. Jokic can probably be a super viable option for another decade atleast. He also doesnt look like hes pushing his body to the brink in the gym every day either. And honestly if Joker was some big muscle bound athlete, i doubt hed be who he is or the caliber of player he is right now. Also, he probably has better stamina than lots of bigs like that. I feel like his build and body type are actually a big part of his game and success just like super athletes bodies are for them. Theres just something about it. Some dudes are just naturally built for exactly what they do. Look at Michael Phelps lol. Something about the way that guys shoulders and arms are attached that just makes him different lol.

[@accountant3847]

He gonna be like Duncan fr

[@its_hokori]

Jonny's been on a roll lately

[@richardjackson5670]

Thanks for making this video Johnny!! 😅 That’s probably one of the worst takes you’ll hear from anyone saying guys in the 80’s and 90’s were plumbers. I’m a firm believer that the teams of the 80’s and 90’s would destroy teams of today.

[@cornbreadmilton5265]

I recently showed my Pops Jokers highlights a couple of weeks ago n he immediately took a liking to him do to his play style,cause of da FACT that his play on the court resembles the players of da 60's 70s n 80's,he hates when the younger fan critics say the players of da past weren't as athletic as today's players.Also anyone can be a great athlete in Basketball n still not be a Great player,because they are lacking SKILL

[@chitownkidd33]

You type like you have a 3rd grade education.

[@akeme25]

My memories are vague since I was just a little kid, but I can remember the NBA in the 90s having plenty of brilliant athletes

[@showtimenick824]

While Jokic can't even jump on a stool, he is a lot stronger than he looks and he has way better endurance than people think. He played 65 minutes in an NBA game. You can't do that without endurance. Your overall point though is very true and this is why I'm so glad people like you exist on KZbin.

[@verbalkint3447]

Great video. Michael Jordan was the best combination of ultra Uber athleticism and sound tight fundamentals. He’s the best to ever do it and he had it all. I’m sorry the younger generations don’t get that anymore.

[@coreythomas3633]

Im taking lebron over him. Ppl disrespect how skill lebron is. It stupity

[@coreythomas3633]

LEBRON FG% 50 3PT %34 higher than MJ. So lebron the GOAT and he better skilled player.

[@verbalkint3447]

@@coreythomas3633 them stats need context. For starters, Lebron runs his own offense and controls his numbers. Often at the expense of his team. Jordan’s numbers are better than Lebron’s and MJ sacrificed his stats to win championships and it worked. Why don’t you people get it. MJ is the best we’ve ever seen and Lebron’s claim to goathood is purely hype and media fabrication. Do you think there’s so much pushback cuz we can’t face the truth? Or are we pushing back cuz we see what the corporate media is trying to do? They got too many of y’all fooled

[@verbalkint3447]

@@coreythomas3633 Skilled? His fundamentals and footwork are trash. He doesn’t have a consistent jumper. He can barely dribble and he constantly travels and commits offensive fouls. Skilled how? This should be funny

[@ggh_-ts6pn]

​@@verbalkint3447 I think MJ is a goat but why you need to discredit Lebron achievements? Seriously can you guys says MJ is a goat while saying Lebron is also all time great and deserves to be placed 2nd or 3rd of all time behind MJ and Kareem? Wtf we Lebron fans can acknowledge MJ is the GOAT while all I see in comment sections are people downplaying his achievements calling it hype, fabricated etc.. Seriously the guy carry super weak Cavs as a young player battling legends like Pierce Garnett Tim Duncan etc, went to Heat dominating the lague, went to Cavs beating GSW arguably the 2nd greatest team ever after Bulls Jordan and playing two legendary post seasons performance in 2016 and 2018 and you guys still calling him fraud fabricated hype. Like seriously....how?? How with all these LeBron achievements you guys still calling him fake hype?

[@itsbageltime]

The whole “Older players would t do well in today’s NBA” argument is really silly, because in another 20 years or so you may see people start saying the same thing about the stars of today

[@truthiscensored]

Of course old player would not do well in today's NBA...they too old. No 60 or 70 year old can keep up with a brunch of 20 somethings

[@kevinsiu4956]

It's crazy looking at Larry Bird's right index finger and realizing how jacked up it was before he even played a single NBA game.

[@HumanBeanbag]

I've been thinking about this for the last couple weeks. Glad you made this vid!

[@homelesstogreatness6626]

And then there are teams who draft players in the lottery who are just athletic. Sometimes it works out but most of the time you'll end up with a Derrick Williams.

[@student99bg]

Because "you can't teach athleticism and size, that's genetics". Sure, but you can't teach Jokić's soft touch, basketball IQ, court vision, passing ability, craftiness, hand eye coordination, reaction time and other talents that allow him to dribble the ball either.

[@jsn23nc]

Bird was atheletic way more than Luka or Joker

[@pumelelabanca1442]

Yep. Bird was never accused of being fat. Unlike these two.

[@samjacob1310]

Appreciate your insight Jonny! This was spot on.

[@NewwxNeww]

Athleticism Build/body Skill (offensive and defensive) And IQ Its a mix of these things that really make a player great. You can entirely lack one of these things and still be an all time great player.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Good point. Greats really do seem to have those traits.

[@JohnnyScumbagg]

2:29 best version of Jordan was 91 Jordan. 28 years old seems to be every great players prime year. 90-91 Jordan, 05-06 Kobe, 12-13 Lebron, 22-23 Jokic - All 28 years old

[@august6281]

you cant go ANY MORE OBJECTIVE than you did.💪🏼💪🏼

[@Joseph-nc7ql]

Best video you ever did amazing stuff johnny

[@itznotdatserious99]

I really enjoyed this video!!!!

[@AdamKlownzinger]

Basketball is an art and there are different kinds of art styles. You CAN be a phenomenal athlete and rely on that athleticism. But you can also overcome a lack of phenomenal athleticism with phenomenal skills. Each of these play styles are valid if they work and produce works of art.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Well said! In other words we're all different. Judge the player as a individual.

[@raymundturner1140]

The Joker is Larry Bird at the center position. He’s this generation’s Larry legend.

[@MrMattDeese]

I love this channel, man! Seriously. 👏🙌

[@zachhoff9876]

Brilliant insight and a great video!

[@mariosuarez3411]

I've actually used this argument when 80's and 90's players get bashed for not being athletic enough to "hang" with today's super athletic freaks. Smarts and fundamentals sure go a long way, which is why Larry Bird would've killed it in any era.

[@tashrif46]

Imagine saying a guy with the skill and IQ level of Larry Bird could not play in this era

[@alexspace9878]

"Looks like he spends more time in his pantry than in the gym" kinda crazy when you looking at how good Jokic's conditioning is.

[@pmc5443]

Agreed ! Very good content

[@D22_T]

It’s funny because we all know who’s fanbase are the ones calling older players plumbers lol….

[@jun813]

Lbj fans 😂

[@D22_T]

@@jun813 ✅😂

[@alikbey]

This video was perfect on this subject.

[@jasonsherwood7539]

Exactly... bro is a modern day Larry Legend

[@millardthomas9059]

Great video. For years ive been saying things similar to this. The older generations would have absolutely lit it up on offense. The faster pace, more possessions and rule changes. Now they would have got it on the other end also when playing defense. I saw PRIME miami heat Lebron battle with a mid 30s paul pierce. Everyone shouod know Heat Lebron was the best version of him and ge had his hands full with a older 6-6,6-7 paul pierce. No offense to Paul Pierce but at his best he was 70 percent the player prime Bird was . Also remember Bird was 6-9 with unlimited range. Prime Bird and Prime Lebron wouod absolutely battle. They wouldn't be able to stop each other. A far cry from this " janitor" nonsense.

[@Byk37]

my opinion is that prime bird would annihilated prime lebron, bird never lost to prime jordan for example

[@redeyexxx1841]

​@@Byk37 Yup. Larry Bird is arguably most underrated player.

[@millardthomas9059]

@@Byk37 I'm not a LeBron fan but I think annihilate is a strong word. At least for me because I don't see how Bird could stop LeBron. NOW if the 86 Celtics played the 13 Heat, give me the Celtics in 5, maybe 6. Also, Bird never faced PRIME Jordan the champion, the more team oriented player. 91-93 Jordan for me us the peak player for me when you come winning and championship mettle and individual ability.

[@cumbusta9175]

@@Byk37annihilate?? Idk bout all that it would definitely be a battle but annihilate?? Yea you lost me on that one, nobody in the history of the sport is gonna annihilate a prime lebron, only person doing that is lebron himself💀

[@javigar133]

Bird VS LeBron? I tell you what mate, put both of them In a cage and no good, switch the lights off and leave them there over night. I can assure you Who you Will see standing Next morning 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@theblackryan]

Luka is a similiar example. He's not fast, handles aren't that great, but he hangs 30 on any player any team any night. Some guys just can maximize their talent on an unbelievable level.

[@Westlyn80]

PERFECT TRANSLATION

[@tatayaya]

Man, an nba player is what it is, an athlete that plays basketball at a high level, what else are people looking for?

[@mmldtop6005]

In comparison to the total population. Jokic,bird and Luca are all very athletic. In my country Philippines the centers here are 6'5 or 6'6 and 90% of them are not as athletic as jokic. Stephen curry is a very athletic guy. Strength,speed,jump,quickness those phisicalities are all stats of an athlete.

[@paolocatalan7487]

Hey, countryman! Agreed there. Our centers are just 6'5"-6'8", but they lack the speed, length, and leaping ability. And you're right, guys like Luka are more athletic. I think we could use more speed-based training methods than just putting those guys in the lane.

[@crater044]

I think this is a common problem that I've seen amongst both NBA and NFL. Back in, at least, the 90s, it just felt like players were built different and were far more durable. They played through minor injuries and they weren't as jacked as they are today. Nowadays, it seems like NFL and NBA players are getting injured at a higher rating and apparently it's true. I also think there is far more of an emphasis on building muscle to "look" impressive than there is to have great conditioning and have your body withstand long periods of play without breaking down. However when it comes to perception, people diss players from the 80s and the 90s for not being as jacked as players are today........hence the plumber insult. Yet these same fans will get mad when you call people like Kawhi, KD, Kyrie, Harden, Davis or LeBron "soft" because despite their superior physical appearances to a lot of players in the past (aside from Durant of this bunch), they are less likely to play every game in a season and less likely to make it through a full season intact.........sure the perception is that you "look" better but at least someone like a Larry Bird or even a Jeff Hornacek (who is everybody's go to when it comes to mocking players of the 90s) at least had a higher chance of playing than these overpaid superstar athletes who, combined, haven't played a full season in, what, years?

[@kennydrew6886]

What about Stockton? He played tons of seasons with 82 games.

[@theonlygoodonehere2259]

kawhi has degenerative knees, and its been that way for long, I can see why kawhi only plays for money now though, people don't really care, and it really does touch bases on the NBA is just entertainment

[@jeddy5719]

Nice. Love when I get to see more old school - like

[@jasonrice3676]

Great presentation of the real facts 👏

[@kkim5000]

i think the best basketball players of all time are the ones who primarily use their physical gifts (speed, leaping ability, strength, endurance, height, etc.) to support their skill, rather than the other way around. even physical beasts like lebron, kareem, and mj were some of the most skilled players of all time.

[@philcaprino]

Kareem was no physical beast. You must have meant Wilt. Kareem used his skills

[@kkim5000]

@@philcaprino kareem was seven foot two with insane longevity. maybe our definitions of "physical beasts" differ, but i still think that qualifies as a strong, atypical physical specimen.

[@philcaprino]

@@kkim5000 I agree starting watching him when he was at UCLA. Then Lew Alcindor. But Wilt was another animal. Under Wooden Kareem learned great fundamentals. In theory I agree with you but todays youngsters are talking about spectacular dunks and beating your chest. Kareem never played that way. I am totally old school as followed Wilt too since 1962.

[@mobrown1198]

Bravo 🎉 Wonderful! As a basketball fan that has been watching the NBA since Rick Barry was shooting underhanded free throws. When Elvin Hayes and Bobby Dandridge and Wes Unsled led the Bullets to a championship over the Sonics. When the finals were shown on tape delay. From playing in the back alley playing with my friends I’m with a milk crate nailed to a telephone pole. saying I’m David Thompson, or I’m Dr Dunkenstein, everyone wanted to be Dr J. As we soar and dunk on the milk crate flying high like our favorite NBA stars. Or finger rolling from from away like George Gervin. Lol. So many guys I could name just off the top of my head who were supremely athletic but didn’t last in the league. Trying to school younger fans telling them athleticism is only good for highlights but fundamentals are for winning. I’ve played against guys in high school who made the NBA. I played against guys who were far superior athletes than the guys who made the NBA, but never made it past junior college, or D3 ball.

[@kraff2988]

Thanks and keep preaching

[@danelson78]

Nikola is like a slower Larry Bird, and without the hustle of Bird. That goes to show how highly skilled he is.

[@Bleatmop]

Since the league has always been a copycat league (3 guards after Rockets victory, 3 point era, et al.) I predict teama are going to be taking a longer look trying to find the next Joker out there and in five years time we will see many more pass first players dominating the NBA.

[@dallinferguson994]

And more great centers who have the offense ran through them.

[@theonlygoodonehere2259]

its still crazy how the teams in recent years that have won championships shooting 3s in the Adam Silver era is warriors, yet the other types of teams that won the championship other than warriors didn't copycat their style of 3 point shooting at all, and people and the league as a whole still doesn't get it, hopefully nuggets is the team to knock some senses into the league

[@cfl4286]

Thank you for this video. It is laughable some of the critiques and insults lobbed at past era players by people today. They I guess think that human beings magically became way more athletic in the last 20 years. Some of the stuff said about bird in particular is just uneducated, ignorant nonsense. As is the narrative that players before the year 2000 were unathletic, unskilled “plumbers and firemen”. You’re seeing it more and more in an attempt to discredit past generation players like magic, bird, Kareem, and MJ and bring up new players like Lebron, curry, Durant etc. It’s sad more than anything.

[@coreythomas3633]

LEBRON FG% 50 3PT %34 higher than MJ. So lebron the GOAT and he better skilled player.

[@coreythomas3633]

LEBRON FG% 50 3PT %34 higher than MJ. So lebron the GOAT and he better skilled player.

[@iamhungey12345]

Plus they generally ignore the rules changes being as over the years and it will continue as time goes by as well. Also speak of the devil on one such example.

[@TheRatedOniChannel]

What I love about Jokic, is that he is a constant type of player, due to his abilities, body and style, he doesn't put as much pressure on his body as the 'highlight reel' players out of high school and college, heck I can even out elementary and junior high in that list; all those kids that just want to make the flashiest dribbles and run lightning fast and dunk with power always end up being burned out by the time they enter the NBA, their bodies are extremely injury prone and end either missing a ton of games or they have to retire too young because they peaked way too young and ended up destroying themselves. Joke, Doncic and other European players instead focus a lot more on fundamentals and yes, they are not as flashy, but they are consistent, look at people in the past, like Kukoc, Duncan or Manu, they were extremely healthy and while at times they weren't as flashy or destroyed the opponents with monstrous dunks, they are some of the most successful players of all time, and they played day in and day out, the rarely missed games due to injury, they were tough as nails and very durable, they may not have looked like steroid junkies all beefed up, but their bodies could withstand so much tear and wear, and they all played for decades, well beyond what the 'hyper athletic' players do, sure, Manu got injured, but he bounced back time and time again and kept winning.

[@samb123078]

I think the weight difference between generations might be one of the reasons they get hurt more often. You can strengthen your body all you want but you can’t strengthen your tendons and ligaments. Basketball isn’t even a sport you need that much strength in the first place. It’s always been a sport of skill, agility and judgment. All the reasons I love the game.

[@jlrob85]

I wonder how the Joker would have gone against the great centres of the 90s. Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson Ewing etc. be interesting

[@brotherblack8961]

Any great player can play in any era. Transfer bill Russell to today with the training the coaching the aau programs nutrition “cough cough” the drugs! Still would be great. His game jus would look different

[@bobfeller604]

I laugh when I hear people criticize Jokic for his lack of athleticism. He can play any position on the floor at 7'1", he drops 3's whenever he wants, and his terrific passing makes him a great team player. You have to love a big man with that many assists.

[@vudoodaddie]

Winning is the ultimate validation!

[@ivansevo427]

I think Jokic is actually super athletic. We need to stop watching athleticism just as explosive power and jumping ability. Most important factor of athleticism is coordination and Nikola is incredibly well coordinated plus he is strong af, very few guys can stop him in the post

[@D22_T]

Lebron fanboys in shambles rn

[@colesnyder2496]

This is the account I come to for NBA takes as they are entrenched in logic and facts. You are better than half of these hacks on TV

[@GhostD0G8]

Talk to em Johnny!

[@aguyfromnothere]

If athleticism is just jumping…Jokic is not athletic. But if its strength, coordination, endurance, then he is extremely athletic.

[@tryhardf844]

Amazing video bro!!💪💪 I'll give you another example of a basketball player who never made a single nba game in his life. And yet became an amazing scorer despite looking like a chicken nugget. Robert "Sonny" Jaworski Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) he played 23 seasons 1967-1998 in the PBA. His accolades include: 13× PBA champion (1975 First, 1975 Second, 1977 Invitational, 1978 All-Filipino, 1978 Invitational, 1979 Invitational, 1981 Open, 1982 Reinforced Filipino, 1982 Open, 1986 Open, 1988 All-Filipino, 1991 First, 1997 Commissioner's) 6× PBA Mythical First Team (1977-1981, 1986) 2× PBA Mythical Second Team (1985, 1988) 2× PBA All-Defensive Team (1985, 1988) 4× PBA All-Star (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992) 5× PBA All-Star Coach (1990-1992, 1996-1997) PBA 25 Greatest Players of All Time PBA 40 Greatest Players of All Time PBA All-time leader in career assists PBA Hall of Fame Class of 2005 2x UAAP champion (1965, 1966) UAAP Most Valuable Player (1966) UAAP Rookie of the Year (1964) He also had two gold medals in the FIBA Asian games in 1967 and 1973. He was also the first point guard to achieve 1000 offensive and 2000 defensive rebounds. He retired at the age of 50. In his last season as a player coach.

[@xtrachrisb488]

Athletes of the seventies and eighties oftentimes didn't hit the weight room because at the time they feared becoming "muscle bound" and losing flexibility - such was the thinking at the time

[@NM-qo6cd]

I love the passive aggressiveness in your videos 😭