(04-12-2024, 07:45 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Please make your case. Apparently you have a different opinion. Help me understand instead of just acting like it is a given or not worth your time.
I think the modern game is favoring perimeter players. I don't think the level of bigs in the 90s or 00s was any better than it is today. Just different. Less post ups. More pick and roll. More outside shooting. Defensive concepts today are more team focused. All of that changed the role of the center position.
On average we get less shot creation from the center position. And it's not about a lack of big bodies that can hit a hook shot. Just about other requirements that the Boban's or Kanter's of the world aren't offering.
Jokic stands out because he is one of maybe 2-3 guys that can carry a team like that. I don't doubt that Olajuwon or Shaq could do the same. But the average center of the past is a big rebounding body with mediocre mobility. The post defenders and rebounders of the 90s couldn't stay on the floor in the modern NBA and a player like Jokic would do whatever he wants against them. There was less depth. But slightly better top tier talent. The NBA has moved past the point where being 7ft is enough to play in the league.
Adjusted for pace I don't see how Jokic's number would change in matchups with bigs from different eras. He is an elite post scorer (that's where the modern era is really limiting him, no foul calls for guys with the back to the basket). He has an elite midrange game. He has 3-point range. He is the best passing big of all time.
It would be interesting to see him in a league where teams aren't as willing to double. And he cannot make his usual reads. Basically just him going 1v1. Based on his performances in the playoffs he is going to score 30+ on 65% TS in those scenarios. Unless all elite bigs from the past are way better defenders than Adebayo or Gobert.
Not trying to be an ass. I really don’t know what to say. Jokic doesn’t have to play against guys his size hardly ever, unlike in previous eras. How is that hard to understand?
When he plays AD and performs well, I’m impressed, though AD isn’t really quite big enough. I’m a little impressed when he embarrasses Gobert. On the other hand, who doesn’t. Against Embiid this year, he went for 25 and 19, 11 of em offensive boards. But that was only one game. And in it, he gave up 41/7/10 to Embiid on the way to the loss. So how impressed am I supposed to be?
Let me turn the question around on you. How well do you think Jokic would do against prime Mutumbo, who was never even the best center in the league? My guess, it would be a great contest. How well did Shaq (a three-time MVP) do by that measure? Hint: he dominated https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_b..._oneal.htm.
Pessimism doesn’t make you smart, just pessimistic.