Rival big man credits Jokic for developing one of his best abilities

Isaiah Hartenstein, despite facing Nikola Jokic as an opponent in a recent playoff series, reflected on his time as Jokic's teammate with the Denver Nuggets during a podcast appearance. When asked about the most significant skill he learned from Jokic, Hartenstein emphasized passing, explaining that while he considered himself a good passer already, Jokic taught him advanced techniques like manipulating defenses with eye fakes, reading defenders' eyes to identify passing lanes, and other nuanced court vision skills.

Hartenstein praised Jokic's exceptional basketball IQ, describing him as an on-court coach who directs teammates' positioning and actions during games. He noted this leadership was evident even in their playoff matchup, where Jokic appeared to coach the Nuggets while playing. Hartenstein also credited the Nuggets as the only team that genuinely challenged his Thunder squad during the series, underscoring his deep respect for Jokic and Denver.

The article highlights Jokic's growing recognition across the NBA, predicting his influence will inspire future generations of players. Already, young athletes with similar builds and finesse-oriented styles—like draft pick Hansen Yang, dubbed "Chinese Jokic"—emulate his approach. The piece concludes that Jokic's legacy will expand globally, with his innovative playstyle spawning countless imitators and cementing his mythical status in basketball history, comparable to folklore legends like Paul Bunyan.