Stephen A. Smith’s latest hot take involved him calling Nikola Jokic a “big tub of lard” when he explained why the Denver Nuggets superstar wasn’t harder to guard than Stephen Curry.
“I understand that this big tub of lard that can’t jump onto a curb is unstoppable,” Smith said on First Take. “I love Nikola Jokic. Love him! It’s just unbelievable to watch him, it really, really is. He ain’t harder to guard than Steph Curry… I will remind you that this is the greatest shooter God has ever created. It is unquestionable, it is universally acknowledged. There is no one, no one that would debate that.”
"[Nikola Jokić] ain't harder to guard than Steph Curry."
👀 @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/GVdOAlB9tp
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 6, 2023
This comes on the back of the two-time MVP’s 41-point explosion in Game 2. And quite honestly, the comparison is absurd, as Jokic has already proved his guard-like abilities in the series so far.
While Curry is a blend of speed and acumen, Jokic has the size that makes him an offensive powerhouse and the playmaking and assisting skills that make him a versatile player who can play more than just at the five. Smith may have his opinion, but chances are he may have rubbed off a lot of Jokic fans the wrong way with his latest take.
On The Flipside, George Karl Lauded Nikola Jokic And Stephen Curry
If Smith has his choice, former Nuggets coach George Karl had words of praise for Jokic and Curry, calling them unicorns.
Taking to Twitter, Karl said, “Curry and Jokic are the two most transformative players of the past 15 years – a 6’2 PG who shoots better than anyone before and a 7’ foot giant who distributes the ball as well as the best guards. I wouldn’t have believed these unicorns existed a couple of decades ago!”
Karl has a fair point. Over the years, Curry is one of the most lethal sharpshooters in the history of the NBA, and his 3,390 made three-pointers are proof of what he is capable of. Meanwhile, Jokic has been a versatile center with the ability to influence the game without even being the primary ball-handler. His assists and playmaking acumen put him up as one of those dual guards/centers.
Maybe Smith could perhaps look at it from that perspective.
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