Successful MVP again and again wasn’t sufficient, Nikola Jokic is now among the finest outdoors shooters within the league.
The Serbian is second within the league in scoring at 31.5 factors per recreation, third in rebounding at 13.0 per recreation, and second in assists at 9.7 per recreation.
Now we have lengthy identified of Jokic’s potential to place up well-rounded numbers. What we haven’t seen is Jokic shoot the ball the best way he’s this season.
Almost midway by means of the season, Jokic is making 47.3 p.c of his three-point makes an attempt, placing up practically 5 pictures from past the arc per recreation.
As detailed in a characteristic by Tony Jones of The Athletic, Jokic made three-point capturing a precedence due to his struggles capturing in final season’s playoffs. He shot 33.3 p.c within the first spherical in opposition to the Lakers after which 22.9 p.c within the second spherical in opposition to the Wolves.
After taking a 3-2 collection lead in opposition to the Wolves, regardless of being superb general, Jokic was simply 2-for-16 on his three-point makes an attempt in Video games 6 and seven.
Stojakovic’s Steerage
No, no that Stojakovic. Nuggets assistant Ogi Stojakovic is the person Jokic turned to with a view to improve his outdoors shot.
“I feel it helps you a lot when you’ll be able to shoot the ball at a excessive degree,” Jokić informed The Athletic. “It helps you construct. It offers you one other factor that defenses should respect in your recreation. If you happen to can shoot the ball, groups are going to have to protect you in another way, and that helps. It helps your self, and it helps the group.”
The primary change that’s been made this season is beginning his capturing movement larger in order to make use of much less legs on the jumper.
“What we like is that he’s taking much less power to shoot the ball,” Stojaković stated. “He’s capturing the ball nearer to his physique. After the Olympic video games, we realized that we would have liked to wash up his mechanics. He shoots it higher now. It’s a cleaner shot, and it’s extra assured.”
Jokic Nonetheless Wants Assist
Regardless of all of the gaudy numbers Jokic is placing up, Denver’s season is but to actually take off at 20-14 and only a half-game forward of the seventh-seeded L.A. Clippers.
Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray have had harm points all through the season whereas Michael Porter Jr.’s identify has been a central focus in commerce rumors.
Russell Westbrook has truly come on sturdy as a starter however extra is required if this Jokic season is to get the help it deserves.
