Nikola Jokic became the first player with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season as the Nuggets clinched a playoff berth Thursday night.
Doncic is clearly at least the equal to the top three contenders. He has the weakest support and has literally done everything to carry that team to a very strong finish. Giannis says Doncic might just be the most talented basketball player is history. Since Christmas Doncic has been the best. He has beaten the other MVP candidates in head to head competition.
Doncic also passes the eye test. He is amazing to watch. He builds teammates up.
Doncic is clearly at least the equal to the top three contenders. He has the weakest support and has literally done everything to carry that team to a very strong finish. Giannis says Doncic might just be the most talented basketball player is history. Since Christmas Doncic has been the best. He has beaten the other MVP candidates in head to head competition.
Doncic also passes the eye test. He is amazing to watch. He builds teammates up.
I agree, his overall impact throughout the season - even considering his “slow” start which is really overblown with covid and injuries - is more than anyone except maybe Jokic. At full strength the Nuggets are better than Dallas, but to be fair that hasn’t been the case most of the season. Luka also controls the game more than any of the others and has a more complete game. Yes, Jokic is an amazing passer but he can’t put the ball on the floor to create separation or go by defenders like Luka can. Luka breaks ankles every game with his handles and has an uncanny ability to find people when he’s driving through traffic and even mid-air - the two-hand behind the head pass the other night was insane. Embiid and Giannis are decent but not amazing passers. Luka’s obviously well below Giannis on defense, but he’s evolved from a mediocre to an above-average defender throughout his first four seasons. Dude scored as many as the entire opposing team in the two full quarters he played last night and had like 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the first 6 minutes.
Not one of the top Four candidates for MVP is American born! Has that ever happened before?
For decades American basketball was obsessed with low quality playground ball. Basketball players didn't have to think or develop comprehensive skills, their game was essentially defined by dunking.
The international players advanced the quality of the game. Top 4 players International makes sense.
Not one of the top Four candidates for MVP is American born! Has that ever happened before?
For decades American basketball was obsessed with low quality playground ball. Basketball players didn't have to think or develop comprehensive skills, their game was essentially defined by dunking.
The international players advanced the quality of the game. Top 4 players International makes sense.
Many people, including James Harden and former NBA greats, have criticized Giannis for exhibiting "low quality playground ball."
There’s still so much untapped international talent out there. Africa has produced some great stars, but if you look at their population size and phenotypes (in certain countries) you’d have to think there’s much more potential out there. What about the Caribbean countries with all their sprinting talent? The Balkan countries aren’t a huge population but have like 20 players on NBA rosters, including a couple of the best players in the league - Scandinavians have similar phenotypes, why haven’t they produced anyone? Australia actually has a pretty good development program and you can see their impact in the league. I think if other regions start emphasizing basketball development and culture as the Balkan states have, the international shift could continue much further.
Wilt Chamberlain scored 4029 points in one season. The 250th most points in a season is 2045 by Dwyane Wade.
Wilt Chamberlain grabbed 2149 boards in one season. That puts Jokic at #148 for most in a season.
John Stockton dished out 1164 assists in one season. The 250th most assists in a season is 637 shared by Dave Bing and Kevin Johnson. Chamberlain had 702 assists one season (ranked #140).
The point of the above is that Jokic's "epic" season for the ages does not appear to that special. He is only above 50% of the all-time high in assists. He is close in points and boards to 50% but not there yet.
Doncic also passes the eye test. He is amazing to watch. He builds teammates up.
He just received a ban for getting caught with his 17th technical foul of the season. He is #1 in the total technical fouls category for this season. Last season he also had 17 technical fouls but finished in second place. That doesn't pass the eye test.
Not one of the top Four candidates for MVP is American born! Has that ever happened before?
For decades American basketball was obsessed with low quality playground ball. Basketball players didn't have to think or develop comprehensive skills, their game was essentially defined by dunking.
The international players advanced the quality of the game. Top 4 players International makes sense.
Tell me you don't watch the NBA without telling me you don't watch the NBA.
Those countries would rather develop a sport where you can't even use the better half of your body. Talk about leaving potential on the table.
Several NBA players could be outstanding high jumpers and long jumpers. But they only train to jump as high as they needed. There are many shorter guys who specifically train to jump who could out jump any player in the NBA. NBA players level of lot of potential on the floor in order to play a single sport.
The Balkan countries aren’t a huge population but have like 20 players on NBA rosters, including a couple of the best players in the league - Scandinavians have similar phenotypes, why haven’t they produced anyone?
Substantially true, but I'd guess that the Balkans produce more NBA bodies than Scandanavians. Decades ago when Jerry Krause or one of his guys went to Croatia to see a young Tony Kukoc, a scout took him to a beach and basically said "just look". They were amazed at so many very large very athletic boys running around.
Interesting that one of the best Australian players, Andrew Bogut, is Croatian descent.
Bucks had a 7 footer, Dan Gadzuric, who was half Serbian half Caribbean. Amazing athlete, just not that good at basketball.
I think the untold story along these lines is the domination of US children of Nigerian and other African immigrants. You see Nigerian names way overrepresented in basketball and football compared to their numbers in the general population.
Since Jokic won it last year, Embiid will win it this year. But most of these nba stars just dog it through a lot of the season. They sit out games and don't play defense at times against weak opponents. They only try AKA play defense in the marquee or primetime matches during the season and in the playoffs. They are fine with losing many games in the regular season as long as they get into the playoffs. Seeding is becoming even less relevant but the players know they can't take every night off because fans will flee.
