Well, that’s a bold take.
Three-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Toni Kukoc had a very interesting take about Nikola Jokic.
The Croatian basketball legend claims that, despite the statistics, Nikola Jokic has yet to surpass fellow Balkan basketball greats Vlade Divac or Dino Radja at the center position.
“Despite the statistics, Jokic isn’t at the level of [Vlade] Divac and Dino [Radja] in the center position,” Kukoc said to Sporski Zurnal. “30 years ago, Divac surprised America with the way he handled the ball while being this tall. Radja when it comes to how he could catch the ball under the basket and reach the other side of the court to score.”
Divac and Radja, both inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 and 2018 respectively, were notably unique and exceptionally skilled big men during the 1990s when they made their mark in the NBA.
RELATED: Nikola Jokic Had Funny Exchange With Charles Barkley Following His Wild Game Winning Buzzer-Beater
Radja, a former teammate of Kukoc on the legendary Jugoplastica team, spent four years with the Boston Celtics from 1993 to 1997. During this time, he averaged 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 224 regular-season games before returning to Europe.
Divac had a more extended NBA career, starting in 1989 with the Los Angeles Lakers and ending with them in 2005. Divac also played for the Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings in between.
During his most productive NBA season in 1994–95, Divac averaged 16.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
Kukoc did commend Jokic for his dominance and control on the court.
“Joki? is not necessarily the most athletic player; he doesn’t possess the speed of American college players. However, he possesses an incredible ability to dictate the flow of the game to his liking,” Kukoc remarked. “He scores, assists, secures rebounds, all in his own unique style. Once he sets the rhythm of the game to his liking, he’s virtually unstoppable.”
Kukoc was a key member of three of the Chicago Bulls championship teams from 1996-1998 and won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1996.
