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NBA Legend Drops Disrespectful Nikola Jokic Take

NBA legend Paul Pierce does not think Nikola Jokic is a top-five passer of all-time

Joey Linn

NBA Legend Drops Disrespectful Nikola Jokic Take
NBA Legend Drops Disrespectful Nikola Jokic Take /
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Speaking with NBA analyst Rachel Nichols during a Showtime Basketball podcast episode, NBA legend Paul Pierce shut down the idea that Nikola Jokic is the second greatest passer ever, saying the Denver Nuggets big man isn't even top-five.

"As far as passer, Joker is not even a top-5 passer to me," Pierce said. "Just because he's a big man - he's the best big man, but when we just talk about pure passer, you gotta talk about guys like Magic [Johnson], [Jason Williams], [Rajon] Rondo, Pete Maravich, Larry Bird. When we talk about flash and style with it... Joker is great, but when we talk about just pure-special passers - [Jason] Kidd. I mean, come on."

While all of the names Pierce mentioned are undeniably all-time great passers, it was surprising to hear him be that dismissive of Jokic being in the conversation with them. Pierce seemed to suggest that Jokic is only placed in this category because people aren't used to seeing players his size pass the ball the way he does, but even if size and position were removed from the conversation, Jokic has done things with his playmaking ability that some of the names Pierce mentioned have not done.

Pierce's primary argument against Jokic being a top-five passer ever, was that he does not throw his passes with the same flashiness that other great passers do. While this may be the case to some extent, Jokic has a long highlight-reel of incredible no-look passes, several of which are truly one of a kind. 

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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