Nikola Jokić Acknowledges LaMarcus Aldridge as One of His Basketball Role Models
After the Denver Nuggets’ victory in the opening game of the 2023 NBA Finals, Nikola Jokić took the opportunity to acknowledge some of his basketball role models, including former Portland Trail Blazers player LaMarcus Aldridge. During a conversation with Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O’Neal, Jokić listed players he sought to model, including Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw, and Dirk Nowitzki.
The comparison between Jokić and Aldridge makes sense, as both players are proficient in the post-up area and share unique shooting touches for players of their size. Aldridge was among the top-10 in points per game on post-ups for the first seven years in which they were tracked, including finishing No. 1 in 2017-18 and 2018-19. This past season, Jokić finished No. 1.
Jokić also paid tribute to former basketball great Dražen Petrović, who played 95 games with the Blazers in 1989-90 and 1990-91, highlighting his integral role as an offensive spark plug during the 1990 NBA Finals run. Petrović would later be recognized as a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer.
As Jokić continues his historic run, questions are sure to keep coming. His Nuggets prepare for Game 2 on Sunday, Jun. 4 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Comparison between Jokić and Aldridge
Jokić and Aldridge share similarities in their proficiency in the post-up area and unique shooting touches for players of their size. Aldridge was among the top-10 in points per game on post-ups for the first seven years in which they were tracked, including finishing No. 1 in 2017-18 and 2018-19. This past season, Jokić finished No. 1. Both players used their skills to become All-Stars.
Tribute to Dražen Petrović
Jokić paid tribute to former basketball great Dražen Petrović, who played 95 games with the Blazers in 1989-90 and 1990-91, highlighting his integral role as an offensive spark plug during the 1990 NBA Finals run. Petrović would later be recognized as a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Jokić’s nod to Petrović was a neat touch, calling to tribute another former basketball great.
Keywords: Nikola Jokić, LaMarcus Aldridge, basketball, post-up, shooting touches, Dražen Petrović, NBA Finals.
