LeBron James, JJ Redick discuss Nikola Jokic's court awareness / News - Basketnews.com

In a recent episode of their podcast, LeBron James and JJ Redick touched on Nikola Jokic's elite court awareness.

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Nikola Jokic isn't a two-time MVP for nothing. He can score, rebound, and pass and has unique abilities that can make any team so formidable.

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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and basketball analyst JJ Redick find Jokic's basketball IQ also impressive.

In the latest episode of their Mind the Game podcast, the two shared insights on the Denver Nuggets star's top-notch court awareness, highlighting a play in whichJokic directs his teammates before getting the ball in the paint and throwing up a lob to Aaron Gordon.

"That is court mapping," said Redick.

"I saw a stat on Jokic last year—I don't know the exact number—but in the Finals against Miami, he shot like 70% from the free throw line in," shared James. "Like catching the ball at the free throw line, either [taking a shot] or floaters when he catches in the pocket. Like 74%. That's insane. So when he turns and he's going to [a floater], you're thinking, let me try to get a contest. Meanwhile, he has Aaron 'Superman' Gordon flying in from the corner."

Nikola JokicCredit AP-SCANPIX

Jokic is averaging 26.4 points (58% shooting), 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season. The Nuggets own the top spot in the West with a 56-24 record, just one game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In an earlier podcast episode, James previously commented on why Jokic is hard to defend, especially in pick-and-rolls.

"If the big has it going and he's shooting it well, i.e., you know, it could be Joel [Embiid]. It could be [Kristaps] Porzingis. It could be Joker where he might be shooting it well, then the guard can get out and give a hard [expletive] hedge, and the guard that's guarding the ball goes one removed. So he goes underneath his player, in between his player and the offensive player. If that doesn't work then you have to switch and then fire. And with Joker, that's what makes their team insane to guard. Because when you switch and you fire he can make every single pass," he said.

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