Nikola Jokić’s lack of speed is one of the few obvious weaknesses in the Denver Nuggets superstar’s game. Opponents routinely try to force him into mismatches where his mobility can become a problem, particularly when they attack him in space.
LaVar Ball took that criticism a step further Monday, claiming Jokić wouldn’t even see the floor on offense in his run-and-gun “system.” The take quickly drew pushback from NBA fans who pointed to everything the three-time MVP does that has little to do with running.
NBA Community Laughs Off LaVar Ball’s Claim That Nikola Jokić Wouldn’t Thrive in His System
The lumbering, 284-pound Serbian has somehow turned one of his biggest physical limitations into almost an afterthought. Over the past six seasons, Jokić has won the MVP three times and finished runner-up in each of the other three seasons.
That résumé apparently wasn’t enough to convince Ball.
On “The LaVar Ball Show,” LaMelo and Lonzo Ball’s father said he would not consider playing Jokić in his fast-paced system, preferring a more athletic option instead.
According to Ball, that player would be Dwight Howard, who was a guest on the show. Ball argued that with a center as athletic and quick as the Hall of Famer, Jokić would struggle to stay involved.
LaVar Ball says Nikola Jokić would never fit into a system he runs because “he can’t run” like other NBA players, while still praising Jokić for mastering his own unique style. LaVar and Dwight Howard also debate whether Victor Wembanyama needs to add more weight to become even… pic.twitter.com/M3raTRX7NY
— THE PAINT NBA (@ThePaintNBA) August 31, 2026
The comments quickly drew reactions, with some fans mocking The Big Baller Brand founder.
“Bro, just stick to watching ur kids, bruh,” an X user wrote.
Bro just stick to watching ur kids bruh
— 😈 (@_Xnelson) August 31, 2026
“Bro is just wasting vocal cords,” a Pittsburgh Steelers supporter added.
“Back to spewing bs I see,” The Goal Line Grind posted.
Back to spewing bs I see
— The Goal Line Grind (@theGLgrind) August 31, 2026
Others focused on why Jokić’s game has never depended on playing at someone else’s pace.
“Won’t work on playoffs when they start running off half-court sets,” an NBA observer noted.
“Jokic is the system. That’s the whole point,” a movie enthusiast asserted.
Jokic is the system. That’s the whole point
— mcseph (@Seph_wayne) August 31, 2026
“Jokić doesn’t need to run like the rest of the league; he already dictates the game at his own pace and has the MVPs and rings to prove it,” a Los Angeles Lakers supporter tweeted.
There is plenty of statistical evidence behind that argument.
Jokić’s numbers tell most of the story. Over the past six seasons, he has put up 26.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 58.3% from the floor and 37.8% from three-point range.
His job in Denver goes well beyond what you would normally expect from a center. Jokić handles the ball, sets up teammates, and regularly runs the offense himself.
He led the NBA with 10.7 assists per game last season, which underlines how much the Nuggets rely on his playmaking rather than his athleticism.
Denver’s efficiency on offense is proof of the veteran big man’s impact. In each of the six seasons when Jokić either won MVP or finished second, the Nuggets ranked sixth, sixth, fifth, fifth, fourth, and first in offensive rating.
Jokić isn’t quick, a seeming understatement in the NBA. He has been an obvious target for opposing teams, especially when they can pull him away from the basket.
But making him move faster has never been the same thing as stopping him. He has built his game around timing, court vision, and an ability to see the next pass before the defense catches up.
Dwight Howard remains one of the great athletic centers of his generation, so Ball’s preference is easy enough to understand within the context of his system. The harder argument is finding an offense where leaving Jokić on the bench would actually make sense.
For all the jokes surrounding Ball’s take, Jokić has spent years proving that basketball can be played at his pace and still be devastatingly effective.
