“I Don’t Run Fast Or Jump High”: Shaquille O’Neal Shares Nikola Jokic’s Self Analysis From 9 Years Ago

Nikola Jokic was dominant all year long. Entering the regular season as the #1 seed, the Joker would go on to lead the Denver Nuggets to win their first-ever championship. However, it does seem rather bizarre that a sluggish 6-foot-11 big man put on a historic postseason run. The lowest-drafted Finals MVP in NBA history has left several analysts picking him as the best player in the world. A huge admirer of the Joker, Shaquille O’Neal has dished out praises to the Serbian several times in this playoff. After the conclusion of the 2022-2023 campaign, Shaq still is in awe of the superstar’s accomplishment. Taking it to Instagram, the TNT analyst shared a Jokic quote from 9 years ago.

Apart from complimenting the 2-time Most Valuable Player on live television, the Big Aristotle has also used his social media to display love. Constantly sharing graphics about the 5-time All-Star’s historic championship run, O’Neal has welcomed Nikola to the elite class of big men with pleasure. The Lakers legend even shared posts that compared his stats from the 2002 Finals to the Nuggets leader’s 2023 Finals numbers.

Shaquille O’Neal shares the Joker’s self-analyzing comments from 9 years ago

Prior to getting drafted as the 41^st pick, a 19-year-old Jokic perfectly reflected on his game. As seen in the interview posted by FIBA, the European revealed that he didn’t run the fastest or jump the highest. But, in the same interview, Nikola claimed to play “simple” basketball – scoring when he’s open or passing the rock.

“Everybody jumps so high, I don’t jump. I just play basketball like 1 on 1, 2 on 2, something like that. I don’t jump high. I don’t run too fast. … I think basketball, it’s about teammates. When I’m open, I score. I pass. I play basketball. Just play simple.”

“Basketball is all about teammates”

💭 19-year-old Jokic reflecting on his game pic.twitter.com/Ue4vghAKOd

— FIBA (@FIBA) January 19, 2023

Shaq was rather impressed when Jokic’s pre-draft comments resurfaced on social media. Resharing SportsCenter’s post on his Instagram story, the Diesel appreciated the Joker. You can find the screenshot in the tweet by Tragic Patek below.

Shaq shares Jokic’s draft analysis on himself pic.twitter.com/BPYaXZ2mJb

— tragicpatek (@tragicpatek) June 15, 2023

It is safe to say that a teenage Jokic was spot-on with the analysis of his own game.

The 5-time All-NBA player might not be the most physically gifted star. However, transforming the sport to be as positionless as ever, Jokic can equally be effective while dribbling, shooting, passing, and rebounding. A high-IQ basketball player, Jokic plays the game with ease and always aims to find the open man.

Adding the championship and the Finals MVP hardware to the 2 MVPs in his resume, Nikola Jokic has certainly entered the top 10 centers list. Only 28 years of age, the Joker could further boost his rankings in the all-time lists by collecting many more accolades in the near future.

Taco Bell has benefitted by $4.4 million because of Nikola Jokic

During the postseason, the video of Nikola getting drafted during a Taco Bell commercial resurfaced on social media.

While every fan seemed to be shocked, the Apex Marketing Group revealed how the fast food company benefitted from the same incident. The clip of the “Quesarito” advertisement played during the 41st draft pick. As a result, Taco Bell’s brand value increased by almost $4,400,000.

Have a look at the following Front Office Sports tweet.

Nikola Jokic is the lowest draft pick to ever win NBA Finals MVP.

Drafted 41st — during a commercial — Jokic is now responsible for more than $4.4 million in equivalent brand value for Taco Bell, per @ApexMarketing.pic.twitter.com/LRL6X4rIDR

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 13, 2023

Seems amazing how a 2nd round pick has changed the fortunes of an NBA franchise as well as a multinational fast-food restaurant.