Nikola Jokic reinvented modern centers with guard skills, scoring efficiency, and a genius-level IQ unseen in NBA history. A three‐time MVP, Jokic commands the court with point-guard precision while maintaining a career 58.6% true shooting. It’s no secret that the Denver Nuggets’ center has redefined big-man dominance. But is his game truly unique? Or does it echo two legendary European giants, Pau and Marc Gasol?
Pau Gasol revolutionized the power forward position with his guard-like passing (4,039 career assists) and polished low-post game, shooting 50.7% from the field over 18 seasons. Marc Gasol’s Defensive Player of the Year (2013) credentials and 3.6 assists per game as a center led Memphis’ “Grit and Grind” era. Both were savants in their own right. Jokic’s stats dwarf theirs, but stylistically, are they more alike than we realize?
On April 15’s Tidal League podcast, ex-NBA guard Rashad McCants ignited debate. “Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol, Joker. You can’t tell me there’s a big glaring difference”. He pointed out all three outsmarted athleticism by dissecting defenses with pinpoint passing. He noticed, “they came with that Spanish grit,” referring to the Gasol brothers. Nikola Jokic compensates with superior shooting. The ex-NBA guard insisted their post savvy and passing vision make them stylistic cousins across eras, just with different finishing tools (dunks vs jumpers).
Yet Rashad also acknowledges key distinctions. Nikola Jokic’s “better face-up jumper” reflects modern spacing needs. While the Gasols’ bruising low-post play, “you better be close or they’ll dunk you,” defined their era. His “hooper” perspective values their shared genius in manipulating defenses, though stats show Jokic’s unprecedented playmaking volume (156+ triple-doubles) and efficiency (.631 TS%) represent an evolutionary leap from the Gasols’ already revolutionary Euro-big template.
However, many hoops fans disagreed with Rashad’s take and had something to say.
Fans lay in on McCants’ Nikola Jokic claim
Fans overwhelmingly rejected the premise set by Rashad. “Jokic is averaging at least 10-12+ points and probably 7-8 assists more than either Gasol brother. He’s in a different league,” argued one fan, highlighting the statistical chasm between them. This sentiment was echoed by another who bluntly stated, “Terrible take. Jokic is on another level offensively… It’s not even close.” The numbers support this; Jokic’s career averages (26.4 PPG, 8.5 APG, 12.4 RPG since 2020) dwarf Pau’s best seasons (20.8 PPG, 3.4 APG) and Marc’s (17.6 PPG, 4.6 APG), underscoring his unprecedented production as a center.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Several responses zeroed in on Jokic’s cerebral dominance, with one fan sarcastically suggesting, “Donate his brain to science, please,”. Another expanded: “None of them are as offensively gifted as Joker. Let alone the passing and court mapping Joker has is unprecedented.” This references Jokic’s league-leading 8.9 APG as a center. Even defensively, where Marc Gasol’s DPOY credentials give him an edge, fans argued Jokic’s offensive revolution outweighs this gap, as noted in “Defensively, Marc has the clear edge, but… Jokic is in an entirely different category.”
Rashad’s emphasis on the Gasols’ “Spanish grit” particularly drew ire. “‘Spanish grit’ as if Jokic isn’t a 7-foot Balkan,” mocked one commenter, pointing out Jokic’s own physical and mental toughness. Others highlighted how Jokic has thrived in today’s faster, more spaced NBA, an environment far removed from the Gasols’ grind-it-out era. “If you don’t see a difference… you’re not watching the games at all,” read one reply. Stressing how Jokic’s face-up game and three-point range make him a modern anomaly. And of course, despite winning the stat test, Jokic also wins the eye test.
The consensus? While Pau and Marc were revolutionary for their time, Pau was a skilled scorer, and Marc was a defensive anchor with playmaking chops. Jokic exists in a tier beyond. As one fan perfectly summarized: “As great as the other guys were, none are as offensively gifted as Joker.” With three MVPs and a Finals MVP by age 29, Jokic’s combination of production, efficiency, and championship success renders comparisons to the Gasols reductive. Their legacy paved the way, but Jokic’s game has transcended it.
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