How Nikola Jokic Became One Of League’s Best 3-Point Shooters – Basketball Insiders

Profitable MVP time and again wasn’t sufficient, Nikola Jokic is now top-of-the-line exterior shooters within the league.

The Serbian is second within the league in scoring at 31.5 factors per recreation, third in rebounding at 13.0 per recreation, and second in assists at 9.7 per recreation.

We’ve lengthy identified of Jokic’s capacity to place up well-rounded numbers. What we haven’t seen is Jokic shoot the ball the best way he’s this season.

Practically midway by the season, Jokic is making 47.3 p.c of his three-point makes an attempt, placing up almost 5 pictures from past the arc per recreation.

As detailed in a function by Tony Jones of The Athletic, Jokic made three-point taking pictures a precedence due to his struggles taking pictures in final season’s playoffs. He shot 33.3 p.c within the first spherical in opposition to the Lakers after which 22.9 p.c within the second spherical in opposition to the Wolves.

After taking a 3-2 sequence lead in opposition to the Wolves, regardless of being superb total, Jokic was simply 2-for-16 on his three-point makes an attempt in Video games 6 and seven.

Stojakovic’s Steering

No, no that Stojakovic. Nuggets assistant Ogi Stojakovic is the person Jokic turned to to be able to improve his exterior shot.

“I believe it helps you a lot when you’ll be able to shoot the ball at a excessive degree,” Jokić advised The Athletic. “It helps you construct. It provides you one other factor that defenses need to respect in your recreation. When you can shoot the ball, groups are going to have to protect you in another way, and that helps. It helps your self, and it helps the group.”

The primary change that’s been made this season is beginning his taking pictures movement larger in order to make use of much less legs on the jumper.

“What we like is that he’s taking much less vitality to shoot the ball,” Stojaković mentioned. “He’s taking pictures the ball nearer to his physique. After the Olympic video games, we realized that we would have liked to wash up his mechanics. He shoots it higher now. It’s a cleaner shot, and it’s extra assured.”

Jokic Nonetheless Wants Assist

Regardless of all of the gaudy numbers Jokic is placing up, Denver’s season is but to really take off at 20-14 and only a half-game forward of the seventh-seeded L.A. Clippers.

Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray have had damage points all through the season whereas Michael Porter Jr.’s identify has been a central focus in commerce rumors.

Russell Westbrook has really come on robust as a starter however extra is required if this Jokic season is to get the help it deserves.