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Here’s a complete comparison of Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Future NBA MVP Luka Doncic takes on two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Image credit: Fadeaway World
Luka Doncic has taken the league by storm this season, averaging 33.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists. He also successfully led the Mavericks to the Western Conference playoffs again, and is easily one of the top ten players in the universe today. A legitimate triple-double threat on a nightly basis, Luka Doncic will likely earn a Western Conference All-Star berth as a starter, making it his fourth straight selection at just 23 years old. This is quite incredible for any player, let alone a foreign player. Of course, his most recent performance against the New York Knicks was notable as he recorded the first 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double in NBA history.
In the same game, Nikola Jokic continues to shake up the league as a two-time NBA MVP. No one expected Nikola to develop into the best passing center of all time, but he made it look normal as he averaged close to a triple-double every season. He could also be a favorite for the MVP award again this year, and if he somehow manages to win a third straight MVP award, he would be the first since Larry Bird to do so. Speaking of Larry Bird, prominent NBA analyst Bill Simmons claimed the Serbian big man might even surpass Larry Legend as an offensive player:
“It’s different when somebody has weird vision, weird everything. Jokic has it. And, watching the game on Sunday night, for the first time, I was like, ‘This guy is really good offensively. Probably better than Bird,'” Simmons said on the latest episode of his podcast.
But which player is really better? Has Luka’s all-around style of play replaced Nikola’s sky-high basketball IQ? By pitting them head-to-head on all key attributes, it’s time to find out who’s the better player between Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic and Nuggets player Nikola Jokic.
Scoring – Luka Doncic
Luka has had a fantastic season, scoring an astounding 33.6 points in just his fifth season. With his explosiveness and ball-handling ability, Luka can shoot threes and attack the paint well. Doncic is shooting 50.6 percent from the field, including 35.5 percent from 3-point range, although his shooting percentage is off because he has to take a lot of shots. Overall, Luka’s scoring stats and offensive consistency throughout the season give him the edge.
Nikola Jokic is a solid shooter for his size, shooting 61.9 percent from the field and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line this year. From the field, Nikola was very efficient as he was always able to get good looks without bad shots. Jokic is very skilled in the low post because of his quick spin and perfect touch to the rim. Quite simply, Jokic is unstoppable in one-on-one situations. But again, Jokic can’t create the offense the way Luka can because the Slovenian is a perimeter player.
Athletic Ability – Even
Doncic is underrated in terms of athleticism because he has very broad shoulders and absorbs contact very well around the rim. If it weren’t for his size, Luka would struggle to be an effective playmaker, especially as a scorer. Luka is strong for his age, with an NBA-ready body in his rookie season. Coming into his fifth season, that hasn’t changed one bit.
Nikola Jokic is surprisingly quick for his size, as he often leads the Nuggets to drives once he grabs the defensive rebound. He has solid bodywork and gets where he needs to be at the right time, which is impressive for a 6-foot-11, 284-pound guy. Frankly, Jokic doesn’t look like an athlete, but neither does Luka, so there’s no physical difference between them.
Defense — Nikola Jokic
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Doncic is a machine on offense, but he’s less so on defense. In fact, he sometimes seems like a liability. Luka doesn’t seem to be blessed with the tremendous horizontal speed his movement requires, and can be beaten many times on the defensive end. To his credit, the Slovenian is averaging 1.7 SPG per game and career averages of 1.1 SPG and 0.4 BPG.
Nikola Jokic is primarily known for his all-around impact as a shooter and passer, but his defense is also a huge factor in how he plays on the floor. The Serbian averaged 1.5 assists and 0.6 assists per game this season, close to his career figures of 1.2 assists and 0.7 assists. Thanks to his raw size and basketball IQ, Nikola Jokic is a solid defender who can protect the rim well. After all, he’s the reigning MVP for a reason and has an edge over Luka Doncic.
Clutch – Uniform
Even if his shooting numbers look inefficient at times, Luka Doncic is terrifying in crunch time. That’s mostly through his marksmanship shots, and he gets the bucket. He can finish with a soft touch when he’s driving to the rim and absorbs hits well. Most importantly, the 23-year-old is not afraid of the moment and will likely become an even better clutch player as he gains experience in the NBA.
As a two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic is undoubtedly a special key player, because he may be the most valuable player on a given team in the league. The Serbian stood up for Denver in clutch moments, whether it was shooting shots, clutch passes or protecting the rim. Everything the Nuggets do goes through Nikola, and centers usually do. Overall, there is no barrier between the two European stars.
Leadership – Nikola Jokic
(via USA TODAY)
Leadership is very important when scouting young players. While both Doncic and Nikola can become NBA superstars who will represent the NBA for a long time, their leadership skills must be reflected in their ability to lead their teammates on and off the court. Luka Doncic has a strong presence and talent, even if he can’t control his temper at times. The Slovenian has more complaints about referees than we like, which may disappoint him a bit as he hasn’t quite earned the respect of a “LeBron James” type.
Nikola Jokic is easily the best player on the team, and everything he does sets the tone for everyone else. Jokic does not seem to be the most vocal leader, he seems to lead by example, and his huge influence is self-evident. Nikolai also has a relaxed attitude, which means he can sometimes be mistaken for lacking killer instinct. But that’s just in his nature and shouldn’t be a blow to him since he’s led the Denver Nuggets for years. A level-headed guy, Jokic has proven to be a very gifted leader and has a slight edge over Luka.
Basketball IQ – Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic is a basketball master as he impacts the game in so many ways including scoring, rebounding and passing. At only 23 years old, Doncic is doing something special, and he seems to understand how to dominate the NBA on a deep level. The Slovenian has been playing professionally since he was a teenager, so all of that experience has him marveling at understanding how defenses stop him. There’s no question that Luka has a ridiculously high basketball IQ.
When it comes to basketball IQ, Nikola Jokic is one of the greatest players in NBA history. At center, we haven’t seen a better passer than Jokic, and it shows on the stat sheet. The Jokers have averaged at least 7 APG for 5 consecutive seasons so far, and have an absurd 9.4 APG this season. Numbers aside, Nikola can make every pass on the floor, which is why he’s the team’s point-and-shoot center in the half court and fast break. Again, this is a close comparison, but Jokic has a slight edge because his passing and vision are surreal for a center.
Impact – Even
It’s the hardest to measure because both superstars are at extremely high levels. Luka Doncic is already making an astonishing impact on the league at age 23, leading the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals last year. He nearly averaged a triple-double, led the Mavericks all year, and has already been compared to the likes of Larry Bird. Doncic’s offensive impact ranks among the best, which is why he has to be revered as a top-10 player in the world.
Jokic may be at the top of some voters’ MVP races this season because he impacts every aspect of the game, whether it’s shooting, scoring, passing or defense. Without Jokic, the Nuggets are like the lottery, but with him, they are the No. 1 seed in the West. If that doesn’t indicate impact, then nothing does. As great a center as Jokic is, it’s hard to ignore what Luka has done for the Mavericks, or even have to think about it.
1 on 1 Match – Luka Doncic
Image credit: Fadeaway World
Even in his youth, Luka has become one of the most unstoppable offensive machines in the NBA and is starting to see double teams come his way. He’s so lethal with the ball in his hands, he’ll score every time without a top defender guarding him. Even with a world-class defender around him, Doncic has the size to support him and finish at the rim. What people don’t realize is that Luka has more than skill, as his 6-foot-7 frame helps him soak up contact.
Thanks to his back to the rim and ability to shoot, Jokic can score against any defender, and his size is also a factor on defense. Meanwhile, Nikola’s basketball IQ means he can often make easy shots. But again, Luka is a better scorer because he can get in and out of the paint more often than a center and has to have an edge. It’s not a knock on Jokic, as the Serbian is getting better and better in one-on-one situations.
Career – Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. The 23-year-old Luka has been selected to the All-Star three times, also won the Rookie of the Year Award and was selected to the All-NBA team three times. The Slovenian also reached the Western Conference Finals last year and is looking to build on his resume to at least win a scoring title or an MVP award. There is no question that Doncic is off to the best start to his career.
But Jokic has had the better career so far. The superstar center won back-to-back MVP awards, was named to the All-Star team four times and was named to the All-NBA team four times. Similar to Doncic, Jokic has also reached the Western Conference Finals before. Because the 27-year-old has played longer in the NBA, he’s amassed more accolades, and frankly, his back-to-back MVP awards stand out the most.
final score
Luka Doncic vs. Nikola Jokic 2-4
This is a good comparison because we’re probably looking at the best 2 players in the league. Of course, because of the way they play, and even their looks, they tend to be closely linked. While Doncic has arrived, he’s likely to take the next step toward MVP soon, while Nikola is already the league MVP and one of the most unstoppable centers in recent memory. Both players have Hall of Fame talent and will be franchise players for the rest of their careers, but Nikola Jokic has managed to separate from Luka at this point in their careers.
Doncic is slowly becoming an MVP player, and he’s likely to start getting MVP votes this year. He led his team to the Western Conference Finals last year, when nobody expected Dallas to do anything, not even the best player on one of the best offenses in the league. As a pure scorer, Luka Bjokic has a big advantage, as maybe only Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid can claim they shoot better than Doncic . But there’s more to Jokic…
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