Ish Smith praises Nikola Jokic as his best teammate ever | Club 520 Podcast

TL;DR

Ish Smith places Nikola Jokic among the best players he has played with, praising how easily he controls games for the Club 520 Podcast. He recalls Jokic producing 17 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists in a first half while maintaining the same relentless pace. Smith also discusses KD, Russ, Jeff, Gary, and Chris Paul, making his candid comparisons worth reading in full.

Transcript

I was already quiet into myself but like I wouldn't I wasn't a workout dude and I would go to the gym with Gary cuz Gary was a workout dude and you would be in there but you my competition so I'm like oh [ __ ] like he in here shooting thousands of shots got the music blasting so I'm like oh yeah I got to do that [ __ ] cuz [ __ ] how I'mma ever pl... Read More

Key Insights

• ⛹️ Reflecting on competitive basketball experiences with teammates like Gary and Jeff.
• 👾 Recalling memories of high school games, rivalries, and camaraderie on the court.
• 🇷🇺 Acknowledging the exceptional talent and impact of players like KD, Yoke, Russ, and Jeff.
• 🫡 Highlighting moments of intense competition, personal growth, and respect for peers.
• ⛹️ Sharing anecdotes of camaraderie, friendly rivalries, and humorous interactions in basketball.
• 🥰 Demonstrating a deep love for the game and profound respect for fellow players.
• ❓ Appreciating the skills and dedication of teammates while reminiscing about shared experiences.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does Ish Smith praise Nikola Jokic as one of his best teammates ever?

Smith says Jokic makes basketball look remarkably easy and maintains the same pace throughout the entire game. He recalls watching Jokic record 17 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists in the first half and feeling that opponents simply could not stop him.

Q: Did Ish Smith always give Nikola Jokic full respect?

No. Smith says he did not give Jokic his true respect until he joined Jokic's team and watched him closely.

Q: What surprised Ish Smith about Nikola Jokic's rebounding?

Smith remembers looking up and seeing Jokic with 16 rebounds in the first half. He was struck by how quietly and effortlessly Jokic accumulated such a large total.

Q: How does Nikola Jokic maintain his impact throughout games?

Smith says Jokic runs the floor at the same pace for the whole game. Although other players may be more athletic, Jokic keeps going consistently, which Smith describes as extremely difficult to stop.

Q: Who else did Ish Smith name among the top players he played with?

Along with Jokic, Smith names KD, Russ, and Jeff while considering his top five without a specific order. He also mentions Joel Embiid but says he did not actually get a chance to play with him despite being on the same team.

Q: What did Ish Smith say about Russell Westbrook?

Smith calls Russ an animal and says people disrespect him despite how good he is. He also describes Russ as being like a brother to him.

Q: Why did Gary inspire Ish Smith to work out more?

Smith says Gary was a dedicated workout player who would shoot thousands of shots in the gym with music blasting. Seeing a direct competitor put in that work made Smith feel that he also needed to train if he wanted to play.

Q: How did Ish Smith compare Jeff's talent with Chris Paul's game?

Smith says Jeff could jump, shoot, drive, and do everything, calling him exceptionally talented at the point guard position. He describes Chris Paul as the ultimate elite point guard who was fast and knew how to run a team, while distinguishing that complete point-guard command from Jeff's raw talent.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on his basketball journey, sharing insights and stories.

• He discusses competition with teammates, including Gary and Jeff, honoring their talent and dedication.

• Memories of high school basketball games, rivalries, and personal experiences are shared with humor and camaraderie.