Why Nikola Jokic’s dominance has Paul Pierce ready to retire

Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic has been one of, if not, the most dominant players in the NBA. Despite his dominance, he doesn’t have a flashy game like former Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce. On the KG Certified Podcast, Pierce and former teammate Kevin Garnett joked about how Jokic’s lack of athleticism means that retirement could be postponed.

“That’s why I’ve said … I could come back,” Pierce said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. No athleticism, and can barely jump. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Why can’t I come back if it’s the league? Look at our top players. Luka (Doncic), no athleticism. Joker, come on, dog, I see it, I’m giving you some slow motion.”

Although Pierce is known for wild NBA thank yous, he has a point here. His game was not built around athleticism, but rather his skill. He was known as a true three-level scorer who can score anywhere and anytime. Pierce played an impressive 19 seasons in the NBA and recorded 26,397 points in his career. He knows how to put the ball in the hoop through shot fakes, footwork and fundamentals that are often overlooked.

Nikola Jokic’s dominance for the Nuggets is somewhat reminiscent of Paul Pierce’s play

Pierce and the Nuggets MVP aren’t the same in terms of dominance, but their skill sets match up. Even after Jokic impersonated Tyson Fury, the athleticism isn’t there. The former Celtics forward made his career known for his shooting and skillful scoring. He averaged over 20 points per game for seven consecutive seasons. In a league where shooting wasn’t a priority, he would thrive in today’s game.

Not to mention, Pierce played a large number of minutes in his career. He has never averaged less than 32 minutes per game in a season. match. Funnily enough, one of the underrated aspects of Jokic’s game is that he looks slow and unathletic. But playing 37.6 minutes per fight at a high level and dominate the way he is means something else. He has to be one of the most fit big men in the NBA. Jokic is currently second in the NBA in minutes per gamebehind only the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges.

The truth should not attempt a comeback at this point in his life. He has been out of the league since the 2016–17 season. However, his point illustrates a concept that many can agree with. Non-athletic guys like Pierce could dominate in today’s league. The offensive emphasis could boost those players and add years to their respective careers.