Imagine a hypothetical pick-up game between two of the NBA’s most skilled big men ever: Bill Walton and Nikola Jokic. This fantasy match-up is what a hooper’s dreams are made of. A match filled with unselfish play, sleek passing, and punishing post-work is awesome to watch in any era. Despite being separated by more than 30 years of NBA basketball, these two big men had games that spoke to each other and redefined the big man position for years to come.
Bill Walton: The Blueprint
Bill Walton, the redhead with the heart of a lion and the skills of a guard, was ahead of his time. In the 1970s, when big men were primarily expected to dominate the paint and protect the rim, Walton redefined the center position. His game was an orchestra, with Walton as the maestro.
Walton’s passing was his most distinctive trait. He wasn’t just good for a big man; he was elite by any standard. His combination of size and passing instinct made it possible for him to throw the ball around the court like a dart, threading needles through defenders for easy baskets and great shots. Every team that Walton played for benefited from this unique skill set, but the best example of this is on the ’77 Blazers championship team, with whom Walton was named Finals MVP. Walton conducted his offense like a quarterback at the line of scrimmage, directing traffic, checking out of offensive schemes, and finding mismatches in the defense. Pairing this blend of passing creativity and scoring ability is half of what made Walton such a fantastic player. Not only could he drop a beautiful behind-the-back pass to a cutter, but he could also take someone down to the paint and dominate them with various post moves, hook shots, and footwork that would make the best soccer players jealous.
Defensively, Walton was a force. His impeccable timing and hand-eye coordination allowed him to be an elite shot-blocker and rebounder. His defensive ability wasn’t just built on the fact that he was a massive 7-foot athlete but also through anticipation and positioning. He had a mind for the game that worked two steps ahead of his peers, which made him the perfect defensive anchor for a team. It was in the lane where Walton wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. As soon as the ball entered the paint, Walton’s presence was felt. Whether he was guarding a player in the post or rotating over on the weak side, there wasn’t a space on the court Walton couldn’t defend.
Nikola Jokic: The REMIX (baby)
Jump to today’s NBA, and the influence of Walton’s game can be seen on display by the three-time MVP and future Hall of Famer Nikola Jokic. “The Joker” took all the best parts of Walton’s game, injected them with NOS, and has dominated the NBA since hitting his prime. Jokic and his Waltonesque playstyle remind NBA fans everywhere that big men aren’t just bruisers but playmakers and offensive catalysts.
The trait that these two all-time greats share is the love of facilitation. Jokic, even more so than Walton, is a passing savant. “The Joker” can use the elevated space and pace of the modern NBA to fully maximize the court and find teammates through even the toughest of windows. Much like Walton, Jokic’s vision makes the Denver offense go. His ability to throw lobs from anywhere on the court or slip a pass by a defender’s ear earned him league MVP honors three times and helped him win the 2023 NBA Finals and be named Finals MVP. Outside of the symphonic passing that Jokic possesses, he also has a complete offensive game. From down low, Jokic is dominant and able to put even the toughest interior defenders through hell with his array of up-and-unders, head fakes, and spin moves (just check his stats when guarded by Gobert through the years). Outside of the paint, Jokic can stretch the defense out to the 3-point line and has proven to be a threat, shooting at 35% for his career.
While Jokic’s defense isn’t comparable to Walton’s impact on that side of the court, he isn’t a slouch in that department. While he doesn’t have the same kind of defensive instinct and game-changing ability that Walton had, Jokic has proven to be a key player in a Denver defense that boasted the 5th highest defensive rating in the NBA this past season. Where Jokic lacks ability, he more than makes up for it by buying into a team defensive scheme and not becoming a liability for his team, which is just as important considering what he contributes on the offensive side of the ball.
Masters of their Craft
Both Jokic and Walton hail from the same school of basketball philosophy. The main idea is that an individual player can elevate the team single-handedly. These two big men made each of their teammates better each time they stepped on the court, contributing to winning basketball while changing the way the game is played every step of the way.
Walton’s legacy is the blueprint, a force that pioneered the idea that a big man could be more than just a bruiser. Jokic’s current dominance as the NBA’s best player is a testament to the foundation that Walton laid in his playing days. They are both pure basketball artists in the truest sense of the word in blending scoring, passing, defending, and leading.
As we reflect on Bill Walton’s frustratingly short prime after his passing, basketball fans can hold onto a small piece of happiness knowing we have the modern-day successor to Walton’s game in Nikola Jokic. These two remind us of the beauty of teamwork, the joy of a perfectly executed pass, and the elegance of making the right play. And for that, I say thank you.
Good work Howie. Love me some facilitation