Inside The Spurs

Bam Adebayo Compares Nikola Jokić to 5-Time NBA Champion

Heat star Bam Adebayo compared three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić to a San Antonio Spurs legend
Matt Guzman|
Nov 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) battle for position on the court in the second half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) battle for position on the court in the second half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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San Antonio SpursMiami HeatDenver Nuggets

SAN ANTONIO — Modern-day NBA big men have been shifting toward a positionless style of play for several years as the league changes its style, but for the few traditionalists left, there remain plenty of blueprints to follow.

For Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, his list of role models is simple.

“Tim Duncan," he began when asked by Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. "Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom … and the wild card for me was always Chris Bosh."

Adebayo has spent the last eight seasons with the Heat, including the run to the NBA Finals with Jimmy Butler III during the league's postseason bubble. Before Thursday, the center had earned a spot on the NBA's All-Defensive teams five different times.

When asked to make a comparison for Duncan, Adebayo, was quick to speak.

“I would say Nikola Jokić just from a fundamental aspect," he said, "(or) an older Kevin Durant."

The latter comparison stemmed from the fact that Durant "gets to his spots" at will, which was a big reason Duncan found the success he did. As for the former, even Jokić cited Duncan as a role model.

"Back in Serbia, I didn't follow the NBA that much," Jokić said during the 2023 postseason, "but when I came here, it was Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Boris Diaw (and) Dirk Nowitzki. Players like that."

Duncan and Jokić both have several accolades that intertwine their careers. And if Duncan is any blueprint for Jokić moving forward, he could be atop the NBA for several more seasons.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI. In the world of professional sports, he’s a firm believer that athletes are people, too. He aims to spotlight the true, behind-the-scenes character of players and teams through strong narrative writing and sharp, hooking ledes.

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