Galen Harkness • May 15, 2024
What Basketball Players Can Learn from Nikola Jokic's Scoring Skills
Nikola Jokic’s recent performance showcased key skills that every basketball player can learn from.
Nikola Jokic’s recent performance showcased key skills that every basketball player can learn from. Here are four essential aspects of Jokic's game and practical drills to improve your skills:
Touch
Focus: Develop a soft touch around the rim.
Drills:
- Finger Roll Practice: Stand under the basket and practice finger rolls with both hands. Emphasize gently placing the ball off the backboard.
- Floater Drills: From various spots in the paint, practice shooting floaters over a stationary defender. Aim for a soft release and high arc.
Footwork
Focus: Improve footwork to create space and maintain balance.
Drills:
- Mikan Drill: Perform the Mikan Drill (both forward and reverse) to improve footwork and finishing with both hands.
- Drop Step and Pivot Moves: Work on drop steps and pivot moves from the low post. Stay low and use your body to shield the defender.
Change of Speed
Focus: Utilize changes in speed to keep defenders off-balance.
Drills:
- Hesitation Moves: Practice hesitation dribbles and crossovers at various speeds. Change pace quickly to beat your defender.
- Speed Variation Drill: Dribble from baseline to baseline, varying your speed at different points. Emphasize quick bursts followed by controlled dribbles.
Craftiness and Cleverness
Focus: Incorporate creative and unpredictable moves into your game.
Drills:
- Fake and Finish: Use pump fakes and shot fakes to get defenders in the air, then finish with various moves (e.g., up-and-under, reverse layups).
- Unconventional Shots: Practice hook shots, off-hand layups, and step-back jumpers. Make these moves smooth and natural.
Additional Tips:
- Basketball IQ: Watch game footage of players like Jokic to understand how they read the defense and make decisions.
- Patience: Be patient with the ball. Jokic often waits for the best scoring opportunity or makes a smart pass. Practice drills that involve waiting for the right moment.
- Strength and Conditioning: Incorporate strength and conditioning exercises to build the physicality needed to play effectively in the post.
By focusing on these areas and incorporating the drills into regular practice, young players can develop a more well-rounded and effective game, much like Nikola Jokic.
Every player wants to make an impact. Score. Steal. Pass. Rebound. Make plays. Help your team. That's the fun of the game. But what if you're not the biggest or the tallest player on the court? Don’t let size hold you back. What matters more is your effort, mindset, and willingness to work. Here are 5 ways smaller players can consistently impact the game: 1. Run the Floor Sprint hard every time. Even if you don’t get the ball, you put pressure on the defense —and open up opportunities for your team. 2. Cut with Purpose Move without the ball. Defenders relax when you stand still. Cut hard, look for gaps, and make plays from movement. 3. Push the Pace When you get the ball, go. Put pressure on the defense before they’re set. Play fast. Make good decisions. 4. Get Paint Touches Attack the paint. Great things happen when you get inside—draw defenders, finish strong, or kick out to teammates. The paint changes the game. 5. Hustle Plays Win Games Dive for the loose ball. Battle for rebounds. Take charges. Be feisty, relentless, and tough to play against. What Separates Players? Mindset. Do you believe you belong? Do you believe you can make a difference? Keep showing up. Keep working hard. Keep finding ways to impact the game. Your size doesn’t define your value. Your effort and mindset do. https://www.loom.com/share/0c0113c8b25c422ba7e10803b818d6b0?sid=ccecfb29-bc1a-4dc1-ac51-a0ba204e3d18 The video below is of TJ McConnell of the Indiana Pacers. The average height in the NBA is 6'7". TJ is 6'1" and has a MASSIVE impact on the game. He does all the things listed above and more.
Last night, one of our EYG players hit eight threes in a single game. Not because he got hot. Because he made the decision to shoot— And had the confidence to let it fly. That confidence came from 7 months of consistent training: 4 workouts per week 2 full seasons of 5-on-5 play Mostly group training, with a few private sessions He had a goal. He showed up. He did the work, even on the hard days. And when the moment came, he was ready. This isn’t the end of his journey. It’s just a stepping stone. If you know a player with a goal—someone ready to work— EYG is here when they are. Let’s keep growing. Keep working. Keep dreaming. Keep elevating your game.
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