Pelicans: Nikola Jokic Shows Zion Williamson 3 Ways to Be a Stretch-Five

New Orleans Pelicans: Jokic starts offense at the top of the key

Top of the Key

Another way that Jokic creates space is by initiating the offense at the top of the key.

This has become a popular weapon over the last few seasons, as teams started using bigs for dribble hand offs and pick-and-rolls that begin on the perimeter.

The difference between Jokic and every other big man is that he can do more than just hand it off when he gets the ball at the top of the key.

Here you can see Denver’s entire offense running around Jokic without him really moving.

Players just keep moving and cutting around him, and because Jokic is unpredictable, the defense never knows what he is going to do with the ball.

All of this space, movement and floor stretching is done without Jokic launching a ton of threes or even being a great shooter.

He creates space with his creativity, big body and passing, which makes me think the New Orleans Pelicans might already have a Jokic on their team.