LaVar Ball says Nikola Jokic 'wouldn't fit' his system
Ball told Dwight Howard on his podcast that Jokic’s style would clash with a system built around nonstop running and mobile bigs.
LaVar Ball again drew attention on his podcast appearance with former NBA center Dwight Howard by saying that Nikola Jokic would not fit into the style of basketball he wants for his team.
Speaking about personnel and his preferred system, Ball did not deny Jokic’s ability but questioned whether the Serbian center would suit a lineup built around constant movement. In Ball’s words: "Joker? That man can play. He’s a player."
He then outlined the main objection that provoked the reaction: "But, in the system I have, you wouldn’t even see him. We would run, we would all run."
Ball’s blueprint: pace and mobile bigs
Ball explained that, for his system to work, big men must be extremely mobile and capable of sprinting in transition and catching passes on the move. "If you don’t have a big who’s athletic enough to run and catch passes, then it’s over," he added.
The comment is especially pointed because Jokic’s game is not built around a traditional back-to-the-basket center role. The Denver Nuggets star is widely known for his court vision, passing and ability to orchestrate his team’s offense from the center position.
Over his career Jokic has won an NBA title, was Finals MVP, and was named regular-season MVP three times. LaVar Ball, who has long attracted headlines for provocative remarks—often about his sons and the NBA—once more generated buzz with his critique.
Photo: Denver Nuggets (X)
