ESPN just released their ranking of all current NBA players in the weeks before the new season.
They decided that Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently the best player in the NBA, followed by reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
While there is nothing wrong with getting second place, former champion Brian Scalabrine isn’t happy with Jokic’s spot.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Sacalabrine said that Jokic does “everything” for his team and that his mentality on the court is second to none.
“The guy is so freaking good. I just don’t understand, right now, how it’s not a wide margin [between Jokic and everyone else],” he concluded.
“He’s doing everything.”@scalabrine isn’t buying Nikola Jokić not being ranked 1st on ESPN’s player ranking pic.twitter.com/MvTM3PEmSD
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 12, 2023
To be fair, being second place to Antetokounmpo is a huge honor and it shows that Jokic really is one of the greatest basketball players alive.
However, Scaralbrine makes some fair points.
Not only has Jokic been posting eye-popping numbers but he is also a definitive leader for his team.
From rebounding to passing to blocking shots and making his own, Jokic really can do just about anything on the court.
After years of slugging it out in the West, the Nuggets were finally able to win their first championship last summer.
That would not have been possible without Jokic and his unique style and skill.
In their list, ESPN said that Jokic still has the ability to get even better.
He can enhance his defensive game, and get more aggressive with his three-point shooting.
That means that Jokic could have a 2023-24 that is even better than his championship year.
Antetokounmpo may have taken the top spot in ESPN’s ranking but there is no doubt that Jokic is one of the greatest and most feared players alive.
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