Should Bacot try to play like the Joker?

[tarheelinfl]

Joker is awesome, basketball IQ off the charts, do you think Bacot could
begin to emulate his success? Probably never shoot 3s as well, but copy his passing and footwork?
Joker has shown you don't have to be crazy athletic (along with Luca) to dominate a game!

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I would love for him to play like a guy who is now being discussed in the same conversation as the best centers in history! The issue is everyone, including all pro teams would love for their big to as well! Joker is taller, stronger, longer, and more skilled than Bacot, BUT this isn't a slam on B because you could say that about almost all other Bigs! Bacot has worked to improve his footwork and shooting touch the entire time he has been here and I hope we see another jump next season when the lane should ne more open. I'm not attacking the idea, but I do think peeps talk too much about Joker and Luca not being athletic. IMO athleticism has multiple facets and includes hand-eye coordination, endurance, strength, stamina, etc. that these two guys have in spades! (not to mention the extreme amount of work they put in to actually hit the ridiculous shots they both shoot!) It is not just the flashy jumping, sprinting, changing directions we usually discuss. Most of the time the greatest athletes have all of them together including the IQ +skill elements but sometimes you get someone like Orlando Melendez that only has the flashy parts!

 

[TarHeelFanJ]

Jokic’s basketball IQ and passing ability is off the charts (especially for a center). He can also handle the ball extremely well for a 6’11” 280 lb big man. I love Bacot, but his game is nothing like Jokic (and that’s ok)

 

[ChiShankCity]

Bacot being Bacot is just fine.

Jokic is Larry Bird at 6'11", 280 lbs. lol. He's one of one maybe in the history of basketball.

There's a sports science company that tracks NBA player movements within small spaces. So like athleticism within 10-20 feet of movement. Which is arguably a more relevant form of athleticism and a much more useful form over the course of a basketball game. Jokic ranks in like the top 10% of athleticism at his position in those small spaces. He's actually a really good functional basketball athlete even if he isn't in the conventional sense.

I'll say one thing though... If Jokic dominates the league for the next 7 years or so and if you need to go through him to win the western conference, then you may start seeing certain contending teams value traditional big guys (like Bacot) because you need the bodies to throw at him during a game. Also, if Embiid ever starts to really take over the eastern conference, then you may have 6-8 contending teams that need some traditional size and they may value dudes like Bacot. It's like (but on a smaller scale) when Shaq forced teams to have a bunch of clunky seven footers just for the fouls during his prime.

But Jokic is one of one. No offense to Bacot, but if he tried to copy Jokic's game, he'd probably hurt himself or average 7 turnovers per game.

The Nuggets' organization has also done a good job getting teammates that fit his game. Hopefully we have a team this year that allows Bacot to flourish too.

 

[DaSheed]

Jokić is on another planet.
Bacot is closer in talent to the Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix
*Not an insult. Joaquin did win the Oscar for his performance.

 

[dtodd4475]

Bacot does need to improve his passing, especially out of doubles, and his ball handling when driving from the high post or baseline.

He is below average in both areas, while Jokic is a virtuoso in both areas. Not to mention the N.B A. 3 point shooting range. He would be better emulating someone closer to his natural skill set. If not it's like the guards who try to be Steph Curry with similar size. Often it is more harm then help to their game.

 

[adwood81]

Bacot does need to improve his passing, especially out of doubles, and his ball handling when driving from the high post or baseline.

He is below average in both areas, while Jokic is a virtuoso in both areas. Not to mention the N.B A. 3 point shooting range. He would be better emulating someone closer to his natural skill set. If not it's like the guards who try to be Steph Curry with similar size. Often it is more harm then help to their game.

I would like to see a healthy Bacot play with passion, attack the basket and with good shooters pass out of the double teams when they come. With this years team that should be key

 

[DaveChapelle]

Joker often brings the ball up court like a point guard.

The answer to the OP's question is no.

 

[dahar]

Joker has a skill set that's not taught. One of one.

 

[RoseHeel]

he certainly can try

 

[Ozheelfan]

Bacot should play his game….. nuff said

 

[dtodd4475]

Bacot should play his game….. nuff said

Agreed. I do hope he improves on his "feel" for passing though, easier said then done. I do not think he is adverse to it, but he is often a tick or two late in recognizing where to go. He has plenty of strong points, hopefully he becomes a bit better with recognizing and making a good kick.

 

[Mrs.Jeans15]

Rebound and finish.

Keep it simple. He lost enough games last year with his turnovers.