This year’s iteration of the San Antonio Spurs is a far cry from what the organization once was. Obviously, the team hopes to get back to the same heights they once reached with Victor Wembanyama at the help, but while he develops and their young core grows, they’re stuck at the bottom of the West.
Meanwhile, atop the NBA lies the Denver Nuggets, who are captained by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who just led his squad to their first championship in franchise history last season. Jokic’s dominance has been incredible to watch for the past few years, and one former NBA coach compared him to a Spurs legend who dominated at a similar level.
Former long-time NBA coach George Karl took to Twitter the other day, comparing Jokic’s greatness to Spurs legend Tim Duncan.
“The Truth is that we’ve never really seen a unicorn like Jokic before. But the best comp for him is Tim Duncan. Complete and utter Greatness. 💪🏼,” Karl tweeted.
The Truth is that we’ve never really seen a unicorn like Jokic before.
But the best comp for him is Tim Duncan.
Complete and utter Greatness. 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/wKUCQKTZYw
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) January 5, 2024
Karl coached in the NBA from 1979 to 2016, enjoying head-coaching stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings.
However, Karl began his career with the Spurs as an assistant coach in the 1979-80 season. It was his only season with the Spurs and his only season in the NBA as an assistant.
Jokic has some catching up to do in terms of rings if he wants to catch Duncan, but in terms of their on-court dominance, the parallels are clearly there.
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