Who is most ideal player to put next to Jokic?

[Ol Roy]

When you say Robinson, are you talking about the Admiral, Uncle Cliffy, or another player? Lots of Robinsons out there.

David of course.

[Statlanta]

BIll Russell, plays PF on defense, plays C on offense.

[Bad Bart]

Anthony Davis

[bigboi]

All time players?

Ray Allen would work well. KG would work well. Honestly I’d like to picture Jokic on Big 3 era Celtics. Feel like that team would compliment his game real well.

Prime Klay would work well.

[Doctor MJ]

Pick any player all-time.

The two that come to mind immediately are...

Curry - like a super Jamal Murray. Defense becomes a bigger problem, but when you're averaging 150 points a game it doesn't matter as much.

Giannis - like a super Aaron Gordon. Gives more of a safety net on the defensive end.

Curry was my answer here, as it would be for probably most players who aren't guards.

I don't see Giannis as looking to play like Gordon, and his unwillingness to change how he plays is significant in my assessment. Quite honestly, I think making the Dame-Jrue trade work was basically contingent on Giannis playing off-ball and focusing on defense, and he didn't do that at all.

[Doctor MJ]

KG or Jordan

Both would be great, but I think the KG choice is pretty inspired based on the Gordon paradigm. There's a good argument to be made that the 4 is the critical position to consider when thinking about building around Jokic.

[Doctor MJ]

Jokic takes 65% of his shots within 10ft, he gets a lot of his scoring inside so I don't like the Giannis fit.

Agree. You really want to pair Jokic with guys who can shoot from outside.

[LukaTheGOAT]

I don't have an issue with the other guys being ahead of him, but am I crazy for thinking 2013 Lebron would be an incredible fit with Jokic? Yes, I know Lebron's overall impact is maximized when he is the #1 creator (naturally, because the offense is largely subservient to your decisions, in order for it to run effectively).

But I think seeing Lebron in his elder stage play nicely with Luka has hopefully made it apparent that LeBron does have an affinity for playing off-ball with really brilliant players, if the other examples of him working without the ball hasn't struck a chord with you.

LeBron really is one of, if not the best cutter ever. Yeah, I said it. He also is the greatest transition scorer ever with or without the ball.

2013 Lebron shot 40% from 3 on lower volume, but I do think that he provides viable spacing which is optimal with Jokic, can play as the handler or roller in P&R with Jokic, and also is outright the kind of defender who can cover ground that Jokic might struggle to do.

Continuing on, you see how an elderly Westbrook who has been rejuvenated playing with Jokic, and recognize this guy is a smaller, worse shooting, and at this point less athletic version of 13 Lebron...I kind of believe they could figure things out.

People talked about Jokic's offensive impact being dented against Minn. last year, because he needed people to get him the ball. Well, LBJ ensures that isn't an issue. Jokic will get the ball in his hands, at the most ideal spots, and his optimal pockets.

[zimpy27]

I don't have an issue with the other guys being ahead of him, but am I crazy for thinking 2013 Lebron would be an incredible fit with Jokic? Yes, I know Lebron's overall impact is maximized when he is the #1 creator (naturally, because the offense is largely subservient to your decisions, in order for it to run effectively).

But I think seeing Lebron in his elder stage play nicely with Luka has hopefully made it apparent that LeBron does have an affinity for playing off-ball with really brilliant players, if the other examples of him working without the ball hasn't struck a chord with you.

LeBron really is one of, if not the best cutter ever. Yeah, I said it. He also is the greatest transition scorer ever with or without the ball.

2013 Lebron shot 40% from 3 on lower volume, but I do think that he provides viable spacing which is optimal with Jokic, can play as the handler or roller in P&R with Jokic, and also is outright the kind of defender who can cover ground that Jokic might struggle to do.

Continuing on, you see how an elderly Westbrook who has been rejuvenated playing with Jokic, and recognize this guy is a smaller, worse shooting, and at this point less athletic version of 13 Lebron...I kind of believe they could figure things out.

People talked about Jokic's offensive impact being dented against Minn. last year, because he needed people to get him the ball. Well, LBJ ensures that isn't an issue. Jokic will get the ball in his hands, at the most ideal spots, and his optimal pockets.

Well yeah but then pairing 2 of the best players ever that don't play the same position is always going to be good.

[Asianiac_24]

Without using the obvious top 15 all time players, I think a P&R heavy guard like Haliburton would work great. Dunker spot you want a shot blocker who is lengthy and athletic. Other 2 spots for shooting and defending. Something like:

Haliburton
3&D (Klay, KCP, etc)
3&D (Battier?)
Athletic shot blocker (Gafford? Lively)
Jokic

[giordunk]

Yes LeBron would also be insane. I think Jokic would also be the best possible player to pair next to LeBron. Imagine trying to cover any variation of a LeBron/Jokic pick and roll. We've already seen glimpses of what LeBron looks like next to a guy like Doncic... It would be absolutely incredible.

[spree8]

I’d take a LeBron-Joker duo pretty easily

[tsherkin]

I'd love to see Steph and Jokic playing alongside one another with Westie, MPJ and Aaron Gordon.

That'd be nutso.

[penbeast0]

I'd like to give him a whole team of high efficiency, good passing, low scoring, low rebounding, 3 and D players and see how ridiculous we can make his stats.

[capfan33]

Yea actually if we’re talking pure impact it’s prob the obvious choice which is LeBron Jokic. One of the best cutters ever next to the best passer to cutters ever, and LeBron can cover for Jokic quite a bit defensively.

[parsnips33]

I always thought him and Jimmy Butler would be a great pairing.

[Alatan]

The most critical skill needed next to Jokic is rim protection from a wing that is not a black hole on offense. If you have that player its easy to fill out the rest of the roster. Next would be a point of attack defender that is decent off ball. And the third would be a ballhandler that can create some of his offense. If you have those 3 players next to Jokic you have a high chance of winning it all.