Who is most ideal player to put next to Jokic?

[giordunk]

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.

[Peregrine01]

Intriguing question. I think it’s Curry since this tandem would just completely break anything we thought was possible offensively. There’s probably not two more synergistic players than these two and they both just so happen to be on the short list of greatest offensive players of all-time.

Giannis playing the super-AG role would also be ridiculous but the Nuggets would need to fill in a gap at PG.

[RCM88x]

KG or Jordan

[Dr Positivity]

Marion would probably be the perfect PF, especially since in modern era he'd work on his 3pt more.

Curry as mentioned in the Murray spot.

I bet Giannis would work slightly better in theory than in reality, and AD works better.

[Ainosterhaspie]

I'm thinking guys like Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis. Cover for the defensive weakness. Need them to be OK with not wasting plays designed for them to post up, but instead trust Jokic to get them opportunities naturally. If they can do that, defense gets way better and they still can thrive offensively.

[O_6]

Curry provides the highest ceiling offensively. MJ and LeBron are both amazing fits for obvious reasons, no need to explain those fits. KG is always a great choice for these threads for how versatile and easy his skill set is. Durant is another one who’s always a great fit with his scoring.

I think Peak Spurs Kawhi would’ve been fun to watch with Jokic. Defensive monster who wouldn’t need to be the #1 option with Jokic but could still score 30 if needed. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands much either. Having your team get beat by two robots like Jokic and Kawhi would be demoralizing as they don’t even show emotions while leading by 25.

Also, this might not make the most sense on paper. But I feel like Jason Kidd and Jokic on the same team would lead to magical basketball. Kidd’s shooting is what it is though so some might disagree. I just know it would be fun to watch though.

[tsherkin]

Also, this might not make the most sense on paper. But I feel like Jason Kidd and Jokic on the same team would lead to magical basketball. Kidd’s shooting is what it is though so some might disagree. I just know it would be fun to watch though.

25 years ago, sure. In today's league, prime Jason Kidd would be too much of a liability with his weak scoring/shooting. Hella helpful on D and the glass, but doing them no favors as Ason Kidd.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Shawn Kemp would be a nice front court mate for Joker

[OhayoKD]

Curry provides the highest ceiling offensively. MJ and LeBron are both amazing fits for obvious reasons

The obvious reasons being we're ignoring MJ's own statements and actions with respect to taking less shots or that he's a below average rim-protector next to a player with the gigantic weakness of being an average for his position rim-protector?

It's 2025 and we're still pretending MJ is scalable
'

[ShotCreator]

Pretty much any talented wing/lead guard will synergize.


But Westbrook has proven a pass-heavy rim pressure guard gives Jokic his most dominant opportunities.

Magic, LeBron, WB, CP3, Nash, Harden, Luka, etc would don unimaginable things to a defense.

But a few of those names might be better than Jokic offensively in the first place.

LeBron or Doncic would unlock a new level of resilience and unsolvability next to him. Like you’d never really come up with a scheme that should truly work in theory. You’d be betting on insane personal performances by your defenders.

But 2020 Harden, would’ve been really ridiculous with Jokic. A guy who demands a 3pt line double team…or else it’s a efficient 40-45 point night. The regular season offense would be beyond comprehension.

But Doncic/Jokic could go to the ends of the earth countering defensive schemes till infinity.

[wafflzgod]

If we are including everyone, I think LeBron would be the answer but that is too easy.
Of the all-time but not GOAT-level players, Curry and Kobe come to my mind as perimeter players operating off Jokic screens and passes. But KG also a good shout as a versatile 4 that could also help bridge the rim protection limitations of Jokic.
However, if we exclude the ~T15/T20-ish players, I think TMac would be a great fit next to Jokic

[zimpy27]

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

[EmpireFalls]

If we are including everyone, I think LeBron would be the answer but that is too easy.
Of the all-time but not GOAT-level players, Curry and Kobe come to my mind as perimeter players operating off Jokic screens and passes. But KG also a good shout as a versatile 4 that could also help bridge the rim protection limitations of Jokic.
However, if we exclude the ~T15/T20-ish players, I think TMac would be a great fit next to Jokic

TMac is one of the guys who came to mind for me as well, there’s the burblings of a use case with him playing off Yao as well.

KD is an upgraded version of this as well.

[tsherkin]

TMac is one of the guys who came to mind for me as well, there’s the burblings of a use case with him playing off Yao as well.

KD is an upgraded version of this as well.

McGrady seemed to play better without Yao than with him, from what I recall. And as a higher-usage guy, his D dropped off considerably. That said, he was a much better playmaker than some recall, and he showed it in the injured twilight of his career which is now lost to the murky past.

KD is nothing like McGrady as a playmaker despite his raw APG averages, but holy hell bawlz would he be nasty on offense around Jokic's passing and post presence...

[jalengreen]

Not the most ideal but Wemby/Jokic feels fun, even in Wemby's current state.

[Slava]

2012 Lebron or Wade with Jokic would be ridiculous.

[Ol Roy]

Garnett and Robinson would be better than Giannis for the Super AG role, which to me is someone who is the primary finisher, a decent spacer, and covers up for Jokic on defense.

Both provide more spacing and better defense than Giannis. They have different emphases. Garnett for deeper shooting and better perimeter defense; Robinson for better finishing and better interior defense.

Olajuwon would also work, though he was less deferential.

Heat (bulked-up PF) LeBron is another great option if he'd be willing to take that role.

[SlimShady83]

John Stockton, Gary Payton, Steve Nash

[penbeast0]

Not sure I'd want Stockton or another similar on ball distributor. He'd find a way to be great but you want the ball in Jokic's hands as much as possible although Stockton set the nastiest picks I've ever seen from a guard. I was thinking Bill Russell; he's a liability on offense but the GOAT defender with the ability to defend all the way out on the floor and still cover bigs. Bruce Bowen or Shane Battier for the great wing defense and ability to hit the open 3 without needing the ball. Marion's a nice mention; he's used to playing covering for Amare who was a worse defender than Jokic. As you can see, I look defense first next to an ATG offensive engine like Jokic.

Bowen and Battier aren't ATG players, but their actual talent would be maximized even more than it was next to a great passing big like Jokic so in terms of players who get the most wins out of their talent next to him . . .

[penbeast0]

Garnett and Robinson would be better than Giannis for the Super AG role, which to me is someone who is the primary finisher, a decent spacer, and covers up for Jokic on defense.

Both provide more spacing and better defense than Giannis. They have different emphases. Garnett for deeper shooting and better perimeter defense; Robinson for better finishing and better interior defense.

Olajuwon would also work, though he was less deferential.

Heat (bulked-up PF) LeBron is another great option if he'd be willing to take that role.

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