Nikola Jokic is an artist keeping the way of the post scorer alive

Nikola Jokic is a master of classic post stylings with new flair.

Simple in concept but difficult in reality, the post game takes exceptional timing, body control and footwork to grasp. For Nikola Jokic, this all begins with a simple pivot foot, which is his key to manipulating defenders. First and foremost, Jokic is partial to a drop step in which he leverages his weight against a defender and spins off their side, creating a clearer lane to the basket.

If he’s farther from the paint, Jokic deploys a half-spin which gives him room to run toward the rim. While driving, ‘The Joker’ uses his sliver of space to assess passing lanes and dish to his opponents, draw contact or finish one of his signature moves: a silky reverse layup with his back to the cylinder. At this stage in the NBA’s evolution, there’s no one else playing with a combination of proficiency and finesse from the post.

The most important aspect that connects either of these go-to moves is Jokic’s aforementioned pivot foot. Part of his post mastery is the aptitude for keeping one foot planted while rotating the rest of his body off the other. Jokic does what I like to call a ‘one and a half-spin,’ where he turns 180 degrees for an initial spin, briefly pauses, and rotates back into a traditional back-to-the-basket pose.

This usually throws a defender off their axis, giving him an entry point to pivot one last time and take a shot. It’s usually a baby hook, but if the defender stands their ground, he’ll take a more traditional, wide-angled hook. It might be considered a reset into a second pivot, but Jokic rotates so quickly that it appears to the naked eye like he’s pivoting thrice.

Although the fadeaway is the flashiest shot you could take from the block, and one that he nails quite frequently, it’s also the least efficient attempt a player can take from the post. That’s why Jokic picks his spots methodically, pulling up for post fades when facing double coverage or being sealed off from his preferred destination.