At this rate, if the Denver Nuggets can finish off the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, Nikola Jokic will likely earn his first career Finals MVP Award. The superstar Denver center has simply been that good this series and in this entire postseason, dropping masterpiece after masterpiece.
Part of Jokic’s dominance comes from what is essentially a picture-perfect and efficient post game that seemingly no defense — not even the Heat’s well-coached unit — can stop.
But while discussing all-time NBA centers on Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith shared a truly awful opinion on Jokic. He claimed that the two-time regular-season MVP isn’t known for being dominant in the post. Um … alright?
This assessment drew the ire of J.J. Redick, who not only had an incredulous reaction but immediately tore apart Smith’s baseless analysis of one of the best big men of all time:
Stephen A. Smith: "Jokic isn't known for having some kind of dominant post game now. That's not his game."
JJ Redick: "We've got 10 years of tracking data. You know what the No. 1 most efficient halfcourt play is? … A Nikola Jokic post up. Boom." 🎤💀pic.twitter.com/kcU30lhCtY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 8, 2023
Phew. That is quite a way to rebut an opinion that seemingly manifested from thin air. There are some poor offensive plays in NBA basketball. Getting Jokic working in the post isn’t one of them. Jokic in the post might even be the most automatic points in the league and why the Nuggets could win the franchise’s first title.
I’m not sure why Smith would ever profess otherwise, but Redick got him good.
NBA fans on Twitter loved Redick tearing up Smith's analysis of Jokic
I… what? This is the equivalent of saying Steph Curry doesn't have range on his jumper, or Giannis isn't a good defender https://t.co/6fyClLjqxs
— Bayek of Sowa (@SowaTheArrogant) June 8, 2023
"Steph Curry isn't known for having some kind of dominant outside shot now. That's not his game." – Stephen A., probably https://t.co/u2DCLGtUXj
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) June 8, 2023
“That’s not his game”
Might be a great joke to make about any player in which it’s clearly a strength.
You know Ray Allen isn’t known for having some dominant outside shot. That’s not his game. https://t.co/LKeNSXpKC6
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) June 8, 2023
You can provide isolation, post up, PNR, mid range, percentage by feet or zones, etc data to factually show someone is elite or trash in specific areas. People will still not care and disagree, it’s actually pretty funny. https://t.co/RQZpHDVkrV
— kingtisemedia (@kingtisemedia) June 8, 2023
Stephen A. Smith is under the impression that if you’re not as dominant as Shaq in the paint, it’s not your area of strength.
That’s literally the same as saying if you aren’t as big of a HR hitter as Barry Bonds, you should work on your bunting. https://t.co/og9ZbmWDUz
— Robert Oakman (@RobertOakman20) June 8, 2023
JJ Redick is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs https://t.co/vZnSzFFOBj
— Chase Swartz (@Chase_Swartz3) June 8, 2023
JJ's face has me dying. I need a GIF now. This is amazing. This is the dumbest NBA take on ESPN in recent history and it's a high bar to get there. https://t.co/d5vRTXtHy5
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 8, 2023
ok I’m sorry but ONE OF THE PEOPLE COVERING THE NBA FINALS ON TELEVISION IS ASKING IF JOKIC IS A DOMINANT POST PLAYER??????????? https://t.co/zXxP44OcWK
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) June 8, 2023
I don’t know what is worse here. The original comment or defending the lunacy that Nikola Jokic has “no post-up game” by comparing him to Kevin McHale, who is one of the best post-up guys of all time.
Just yell louder, I guess. That’s what sells and what people apparently want. https://t.co/l98WTeXN34
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 8, 2023
