Page 1 of 7
Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:30 pm
by mdonnelly1989
This is an interesting debate because many people think Magic as the greatest passer of all time.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:38 pm
by EmpireFalls
Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:44 pm
by garlic
EmpireFalls wrote:Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:48 pm
by Mogspan
EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:52 pm
by Mogspan
As far as passing talent in itself, I think it’s hard to differentiate.
I would argue, though, that having all-time passing at the center position is more valuable for offense since you can surround a guy like that with a bunch of dynamic smalls who can run and shoot.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:54 pm
by thamadkant
I hate revisionist and young people take.
Jokic is an elite passer while stationary or at half setup situations. The no looks, the angular and accurate spins and timing with his static passes is as good as Magic, Bird and other creative crafty passers.
But dynamically while dribbling the ball and being hounded by defenders outside the paint... Jokic is no way near Magic.... and that's OK, because Jokic is about 70 pounds heavier and 3 inches taller.
Magic's passes are elite from standing still, to running at full speed or under duress... that's why he is often reserved as GOAT Point Guard.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:59 pm
by EmpireFalls
Mogspan wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
He’s a stationary passer. Doesn’t really move at a fast enough speed or have enough wiggle to even attempt some of the passes Magic pulled off
Standing still passes over your head or behind the back are actually pretty fundamentally sound, bc his core and base is solid, and it’s just changing his arm placement. Magic on the other hand would be flying through the air ducking up and under and going horizontal with his passes
It’s just different
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:05 pm
by zero rings
Jokic is the best passer I have ever seen and it’s not even close.
His decision making, deception, and touch are on another level. His ability to break down a defense while standing still is unprecedented.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:09 pm
by Ruma85
EmpireFalls wrote:Mogspan wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
He’s a stationary passer. Doesn’t really move at a fast enough speed or have enough wiggle to even attempt some of the passes Magic pulled off
Standing still passes over your head or behind the back are actually pretty fundamentally sound, bc his core and base is solid, and it’s just changing his arm placement. Magic on the other hand would be flying through the air ducking up and under and going horizontal with his passes
It’s just different
If I had the time to debate this one at this very moment, i surely would. We both could be right or we both could be very wrong ,but I'm looking forward to continuing this asap.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:10 pm
by Deathray
I'm old enough to have started Jr high when Magic was still at MSU and Jokic is a good bit better passer. As George Karl said, Jokic is the greatest force multiplier in the history of basketball.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:12 pm
by Ruma85
mdonnelly1989 wrote:This is an interesting debate because many people think Magic as the greatest passer of all time.
Curious about the other option, would that be option much better or maybe something else as it doesn't leave us with much choices other than the one i just mentioned unless you're happy to tell to oblige to my question, thank you.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:32 pm
by scrabbarista
Mogspan wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
Honestly, I just read Empire's post and thought, "Okay, he never watches Jokic." Started writing some responses, but what would I write? "Watch him?"
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:38 pm
by scrabbarista
EmpireFalls wrote:Mogspan wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
He’s a stationary passer. Doesn’t really move at a fast enough speed or have enough wiggle to even attempt some of the passes Magic pulled off
Standing still passes over your head or behind the back are actually pretty fundamentally sound, bc his core and base is solid, and it’s just changing his arm placement. Magic on the other hand would be flying through the air ducking up and under and going horizontal with his passes
It’s just different
Jokic makes every pass from every angle - on the break, off the drive from the baseline behind the basket, dump-offs off the drive - he runs point guard actions
all the time. He also comes off of screens to get going downhill like a forward or big guard would.
His game is so versatile that you can watch any given game and not see like 90% of the things he can do, because he only does what that game requires.
The only pass that comes to mind that I haven't seen him do is the elbow pass.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:39 pm
by zero rings
EmpireFalls wrote:Mogspan wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Pretty similar. Jokic’s passing is great but I don’t think he ever throws passes which require insane mechanics or touch per se. Everything he throws is fundamentally sound and no-nonsense.
He’s just got amazing court vision and that’s his real super power. I think Magic was a slightly more gifted natural passer, but they are pretty equal as overall playmakers.
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
He’s a stationary passer. Doesn’t really move at a fast enough speed or have enough wiggle to even attempt some of the passes Magic pulled off
Standing still passes over your head or behind the back are actually pretty fundamentally sound, bc his core and base is solid, and it’s just changing his arm placement. Magic on the other hand would be flying through the air ducking up and under and going horizontal with his passes
It’s just different
Jokic averaging 10 apg as a largely stationary passer is what makes it so impressive. Guards like Magic, Nash, and Stockton used their live dribble to probe the defense and create openings. That’s standard for pretty much all great playmakers.
Jokic is out there creating openings with his
mind. He’s breaking down defenses with nothing but his eyes, his body language, and lighting quick decision making.
You can definitely argue Magic was a better volume playmaker, and you’d be right, but strictly a passer? I don’t see it. Jokic is a freak.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:39 pm
by bledredwine
"Much better" is absolutely insane.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:41 pm
by Ruma85
scrabbarista wrote:EmpireFalls wrote:Mogspan wrote:
I don’t really understand your first paragraph. Are you saying that Jokić doesn’t display amazing dexterity and unorthodox delivery in his passes? If so, that’s wildly untrue. Or are you talking about a lack of “pizzazz”? That’s also untrue.
He’s a stationary passer. Doesn’t really move at a fast enough speed or have enough wiggle to even attempt some of the passes Magic pulled off
Standing still passes over your head or behind the back are actually pretty fundamentally sound, bc his core and base is solid, and it’s just changing his arm placement. Magic on the other hand would be flying through the air ducking up and under and going horizontal with his passes
It’s just different
Jokic makes every pass from every angle - on the break, off the drive from the baseline, dump-offs off the drive - he runs point guard actions
all the time.
His game is so versatile that you can watch any given game and not see like 90% of the things he can do, because he only does what that game requires.
The only pass that comes to mind that I haven't seen him do is the elbow pass.
Only behind close doors/scenes.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:42 pm
by Ruma85
bledredwine wrote:"Much better" is absolutely insane.
I'm guessing that would fall under the, other option
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:57 pm
by druggas
Magic and it's not even close.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 9:18 pm
by Peregrine01
Magic has the advantage with his ball-handling and ability to probe while Jokic has the advantage of being bigger and a better scorer. All in all, I think Jokic is the better passer.
Re: Jokic compared to Magic as a passer?
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 9:25 pm
by Optms
People forget Magic can run the break right? He was not just an outlet or half court passer right? That's why he's the GOAT facilitator, not just point guard.
Jokic isn't even a better facilitator than Lebron. The level of homerism is getting insane.