Nikola Jokic is revolutionizing the center position

Nikola Jokic is one of a kind so it's easy to miss how great he is. Jokic is the best offensive passing big man ever, but he might also be the best offensive center in NBA history. How does he do it? This detailed film room analysis looks at the Nuggets superstar center, incorporating data and stats to understand how good he might be.

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by csus (instrumental)

#ThinkingBasketball

[anandvarma]

Just a daily reminder that Jokic was Pick 41 in the draft. And the man's about to win MVP. Damn.

[DangerousPython]

Jokic’s career highlights once he retires will be endless

[duncanwalter]

I love Jokic just because he slows the game down, and does it all so nonchalantly that you don't realise he's giving your team 25 15 10 with ease

[Katsos]

Nothing better than kicking back on a Friday and watching some Thinking Basketball

[AtlasDuval]

I respect what Steph is doing this year, he’s playing out of his mind. That said, Jokic is the MVP.

[GunnGunn]

Jokic resume is insane. He just won the NBA Championship and FMVP. His playoff run was legendary

[supreetbhavireddy]

Remember when Gregg Popovich said he was Larry Bird-esque and the media shit on that take? Yeah this is some Larry Bird shit man. As someone too young to see Larry Bird do his magic but has seen videos (like the greatest peak episode) this just makes me soo happy. This guy is making history and I think calling him a 7 foot Larry Bird isn't outrageous anymore. Absolutely beautiful.

[MindfulSeduction]

jokic is an example that bird could still dominater today. Bird would LITERALLY play like jokic but with better shooting and klay thompson like off ball movement

[pr]

His most valuable trait is that he gets his teammates PAID! just look at the contracts players sign after they have been playing with him for a few seasons!:O

[lukaslambs]

This man is quietly one of if not the most special player I think in NBA history. I know he hasn’t proven himself over many years like other greats but he’s on pace for something I think a lot more significant than people realize.

[satisfyingwalks]

Thank you Ben, on behalf of all basketball fans. It's so good to see authentic, knowledgeable basketball analysis.

[triggeredtrey]

I still remember when people doubted this guy ever since he blew up

[chanendlerbong]

GOAT offensive season from any big, still played all games, Nuggets are 2nd worse offense without him, thats my MVP for this season

[Loqque]

Perfect answer to last night's Shaq rant about MVP for Embid over Jokic.

[bobbocomedy]

You describe these highlights better than anyone on espn or other tv sports networks

[andrewgavinet]

Man just the way he passes into the cutters is beautiful, it has a flow to it. It’s like watching a bunch of passes get completed at once in soccer or a long rally in tennis, it’s beautiful and mesmerizing

[SwipaCam]

This is a work of art, sir. Well done. (Raises glass).

[Goooog]

The best analytical video ever about the MVP, Jokic.

[Kaitos]

Joker's so fucking good that he's pretty much faking out even the viewer. I'm constantly caught off guard with the insane angles he sees.

Also, I don't think I've seen Ben audibly gush so much when discussing any player, past greats included. Jokic is just something else!

[rizkyanandita]

He is like a veteran gymnast. He moved not as explosive as a younger gymnast, but he honed the small detail to make it as graceful as possible.