Nikola Jokic - The Modern Day Throwback

All-Pro Reels / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

He was the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, an area traditionally reserved mainly for guys who will become garbage minute players, practice players, and guys who will most likely head to the G-League or be stashed overseas.

While there have been a few diamonds in the rough over the years (Ginobili, Green, Rodman, Thomas), they were still components of the engine. When the Denver Nuggets selected Nikola Jokic, they had no idea that they would be getting the engine itself.

Much has been made of Jokic's physical appearance and abilities over the last few years. Overweight, bulky, slow, lacking speed and vertical, if it weren't for the fact that he was seven feet tall, one would think he fits the description of a YMCA weekend warrior more than he does the focal point of an NBA team.

In an era that has seen the traditional "big man" nearly become obsolete, Jokic has managed to blend an eclectic mix of players from yesteryear and today into a player capable of posting a triple-double on a nightly basis. While his lack of athleticism resembles that of Kevin McHale, his footwork brings back memories of Hakeem Olajuwon.

As far as ball distribution, imagine a supercharged mix of Vlade Divac and Marc Gasol. Not nearly as proficient from downtown as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jokic can certainly hold his own from the perimeter, a' la Arvydas Sabonis.

While the Nuggets have a variety of capable ball-handling guards at their disposal, it is often Jokic who initiates the offense, a role that has rarely been seen outside of the last decade by a man of his size.

Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

At only twenty-five years of age and in his fifth season, the NBA faithful may have labeled their superstars with the incorrect nicknames, as "The Freak" and "The Unicorn" may be more fitting man with Jokic's talents.

Considering the hype and talent that was part of the 2014 Draft class, only Jokic and Joel Embiid have been selected to an All-NBA team and an All-Star team. Whereas many of today's big men appear to be from a cookie-cutter mold, the "Joker" has found a way to stand out on his own as the surprising centerpiece of a franchise that looks poised to join the elite teams in the league.