Stephen A. Smith surprised to learn Nikola Jokic is a dominant post player from JJ Redick

Stephen Noh

•
Stephen A. Smith surprised to learn Nikola Jokic is a dominant post player from JJ Redick image

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been giving his analysis on weekdays after every NBA Finals game on First Take. It was somewhat shocking, therefore, that he had no idea that two-time MVP Nikola Jokic was a dominant post player. 

In a segment debating all-time centers on Thursday's show following Game 3, Smith began questioning Jokic's post game. 

"Jokic isn't known for having some kind of dominant post game. That's not his game," Smith said. 

Fellow panelist JJ Redick immediately intervened to correct Smith. 

"Hold on a second. We've got 10 years of tracking data. You know what the number one most efficient halfcourt play is in 10 years across the NBA? A Nikola Jokic post up." 

Redick was indeed correct about that statistic.

MORE: Why Jokic's defense was the most impressive part of historic Game 3

Portland Trail Blazers on-air Analytics Insider confirmed Redick's statement, citing data from Second Spectrum, which tracks the NBA's plays on the floor. 

Along with being extremely efficient, Jokic is also one of the rare players who still posts up a lot during games. He led the league in the number of post-ups during the regular season and has been in the top two in post-ups per game over the past three seasons, per the NBA's stats page.

There might not be a more skilled post player in the league right now. 

Even if Smith were not familiar with how dominant Jokic had been in the post over the past few regular seasons, he would simply have had to watch the past few Finals games, where Jokic has been unstoppable when receiving the ball in the post.

During Game 2, for instance, Jokic was so dominant that the Nuggets scored more off his post touches (2.22 points per possession) than they would have if the Heat had simply conceded a dunk every time he touched the ball. 

Smith tried to walk back his comments, retorting, "Listen, y'all know what I'm saying. He's got such a beautiful touch, he reminds me more of a McHale than a Shaq." 

Redick and fellow panelist Jay Williams weren't buying it. 

"I wrote it down, no post-up game," Williams responded. 

With Williams and Redick still skeptical, Smith saw the writing on the wall. As the segment ended, Smith eventually conceded a rare admission of defeat.

"I stand corrected," he said. 

Stephen Noh

Stephen Noh Photo

Stephen Noh started writing about the NBA as one of the first members of The Athletic in 2016. He covered the Chicago Bulls, both through big outlets and independent newsletters, for six years before joining The Sporting News in 2022. Stephen is also an avid poker player and wrote for PokerNews while covering the World Series of Poker from 2006-2008.