Jokic Predicts the Future of the NBA: “Post-Up Play Is Dying”

The NBA game keeps evolving, and Nikola Jokic believes one of basketball’s most traditional offensive weapons could soon become a thing of the past.

Following the Denver Nuggets’ 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors, the three-time MVP shared his thoughts on how the game is changing, particularly the challenges big men face when trying to use their size and strength around the basket.

According to Jokic, being taller or stronger than your defender doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage anymore, especially when it comes to how physical contact is officiated in the paint compared to the perimeter.

To be honest, I don’t think there’s much of a physical advantage in today’s NBA. Defenders are allowed to get away with a lot more in the post. They can push, hold and be much more physical than they can on the perimeter

Nikola Jokic

The Serbian center believes this difference in officiating is one of the main reasons players are moving away from traditional back-to-the-basket basketball.

I think that’s why players don’t want to go into the post as much anymore. You get fouled without getting calls, and you just end up getting more tired with every possession

Nikola Jokic

And that’s what leads Jokic to a pretty bold prediction about the future of the game.

I think post-up play is becoming a dying breed. In five or ten years, it probably won’t even exist anymore

Nikola Jokic

Jokic: “Basketball Has Already Changed Four Times”

Despite his comments about officiating, Jokic made it clear that he isn’t blaming the referees. In fact, physical battles have always been part of what he enjoys about basketball.

I’m not blaming the referees. I like physical battles. I used to wrestle with my brother all the time when I was a kid, so I enjoy that kind of contact, the pushing and holding

Nikola Jokic

For the Nuggets superstar, it’s simply another sign of how much the NBA has evolved, with the league going through several different playing styles over the past decade.

I think basketball has changed so much since I got here. It’s probably changed four times already. We’ve seen small lineups, then bigger lineups, and now big men are expected to do pretty much everything

Nikola Jokic

Not long ago, having a traditional power forward and center sharing the floor was the norm. Today, players of that size are expected to handle the ball, create for teammates and knock down shots, skills that were once primarily associated with guards and wings.

Basketball has changed four times in the last ten or twelve years, and I think it’s going to change again in the next five

Nikola Jokic

This isn’t the first time Jokic has shared his perspective on the different styles of basketball. The Nuggets center has previously spoken about what he considers the biggest difference between European basketball and the NBA.

It’s another interesting take from a player who understands both sides of the game and continues to pay close attention to where basketball is heading.