I wanted to share with you some of Nikola Jokic’s top plays from his game vs The Atlanta Hawks. When breaking down film of NBA Elite Players, I tend to want to share the simple things that they do to be able to help as many plays as possible. Jokic is such a dominating force in the NBA Today Averaging 32.3 PTS 13.6 REB and 10.2 AST. Players and coaches tend to only want to focus on the unbelievably tough plays that a player takes instead of the simplistic. When I breakdown film of Jokic here are the main things that I look at.
HOOKS-Jokic possesses one of the best hooks in the NBA. His ability to seal his defender to turn and shoot the hook with either hand on either block. The hook is the lifeblood of any Power Forward/Center. Either by posting up on ISO/Post on the block as well as screen rolls and posting up smaller players on a switch. It is a shot that is every important to be able to make >45% of the time to be efficient with it.
FACE UP GAME-Jokic loves to face up and jab from the mid post as well as face up from the elbow and either shoot the jumper when his defender is off of him or face up and attack on drives when the defender shifts their weight. For post players being able to face up on either mid post to be able to make that 6-8 foot jumper is the starting point. When the defender shifts over on the face up being able to drive them in the opposite direction to drive to the basket or shoot a stepback are very good reads to make.
SCREENING-Jokic’s size is very impressive, and when he lays his body on the defender of the ball handler he can really impact the game with freeing up the guard to be able to drive to the basket and get great shots. Screening is a very overlooked facet of the game as a lot of players like to slip out of screening and not make contact with a defender. I think getting a direct hit on a defender to give the guard the driving advantage or force the defender to take a wide angle when trying to fight through the screen will also give an advantage to the ball handler. When making contact with the defender , a lot of times teams will switch enabling the screener to post up the smaller player. Jokic is elite at being able to create opportunities with his screening.
SHORT ROLL FLOATER-The floater has gotten to be an important shot for post players. When they create space on screen/rolls with the ball handler forces two defenders to the ball rolling into the pocket of space the big needs to be able to catch on the run and shoot the floater in the paint (inside the FT Line outside the dotted line)Jokic is so good at catching the ball on the move and shooting that shot with accuracy
JOKIC FILM
Simple catch on the right block face up jab jumper. Watch has the defender reacts to the jab freeing up space for the jump shot. The jab in the pose is very effective and easy to use at any level. You need something to goto when facing an athletic shot blocker in the post. Don’t forget to protect the ball on the jab.
Mid Screen/Roll. I spoke about Jokic’s screening impacting the game. On this possession, the ball handler forces two defender’s on the ball enabling Jokic to roll. The deeper that he can catch the ball the better. On the roll , Jokic speed rolls forcing a smaller defender guarding the corner shooter for Denver to pick him up deep in the post. All Jokic has to do is catch and turn to the rim to score. Very effective read.
Jokic uses a fake to get his defender off balance. Instead of holding the ball and waiting, he makes a quick pass to the wing and basket cuts to the rim. This is a very effective read for any position. You are so much harder to defend when you are constantly moving. When you get a defender off of their feet on a fake throw a quick pass and cut to the rim. At very least you are going to force an off ball defender to leave their man to bump you from cutting which will open up another open player. Keep moving without the ball!!
This play advances quickly. Jokic sets the ball screen and rolls. The big is forced to pickup the ball handler, but also has to stay in front of Jokic which is very hard to doo consistently. The Ball Handler gives to Jokic on theme and he waste’s no time catching the ball on the move and getting the ball in the air with the floater giving the big no time to get a hand on the ball. Post players need to be able to shoot the ball quickly on the roll catches to make it difficult on the big to make a play on the ball.
