Nikola Jokic opened up about his toughest challenge when entering the NBA, telling X&O's Chat podcast that adjusting to the game's speed and learning the diverse playing styles of opponents were the hardest parts.
Nikola Jokic shared some honest thoughts on the toughest adjustments he had to make when he first arrived in the NBA, revealing just how steep the learning curve was for him.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic
MIN: 34.56
PTS: 28.83 (65.42%)
REB: 12.5
AS: 10.29
ST: 1.33
BL: 0.77
TO: 3.75
GM: 48
Speaking on the X&O's Chat podcast, the Denver Nuggets star reflected on the pace, physicality, and variety of players he faced early in his career.
"The biggest challenge for me was the speed at the moment I arrived. And the terminology. Back then, we were facing all kinds of different players. You had Anthony Davis, who was a 'face-up' threat, a great scorer, and he was just as good 11 years ago. I remember the man dropped 50 on me. Directly. Not off pick-and-rolls, no, just straight up. Right over me."
Jokic went on to explain that he faced a wide range of styles from other big men, from Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe in Detroit to Steven Adams and Enes Kanter in Oklahoma City.
"Then Karl-Anthony Towns was coming in, Porzingis was coming in. You had to get used to all these new players, new matchups," he explained. "Defensively, I was completely lost. It was so hard to adjust defensively--I mean, I still struggle with some things today. But there were so many versatile players. It's the same today, especially with how teams put a big man on a small player. That was the hardest thing for me at the start: learning the players and learning the movements."
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Jokic admitted that the first few weeks were key in catching up to the speed of the league
"Those first six weeks helped me catch the rhythm. I know many guys complain when they get to the NBA that it's 'too fast.' And it is; everything happens so quickly. People don't see everything."
He also highlighted the sheer explosiveness and physicality of NBA play.
"My brothers were watching the playoffs once from court-side seats, and they said, 'Man, the way it hits, the contact.' When I'm out there with Zubac, for example, and we hit each other, it's pure strength. You can feel it; it's explosive. We're both 240, 250 pounds, 7 feet tall... and I love Ivica, don't get me wrong, but when you collide, those are serious hits."
Jokic reflected on the challenge of absorbing both the speed and complexity of the game at the same time.
"The speed was about how explosive they are, how they jump, how strong they are in contact. I even had days playing against Tim Duncan right when he was retiring. There was so much variety I had to get used to. And I was adjusting to that speed while also learning all these new plays and movements. It was all 'new,' and I don't like 'new.'"
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