Ex-Timberwolves Star Shuts Down “Slow Motion” Nikola Jokic Hype; Asserts to Bust the Nuggets Star’s “A**”

Brad Miller’s time in the NBA was entertaining to say the least. If he’s someone who can make it out of a brawl with Shaquille O’Neal with intact bones, he could possibly take on a couple of other big men in the league right now. The one everyone and Shaq loves to talk about is reigning champ, Nikola Jokic. He and the Nuggets are currently behind 0-2 to Miller’s old team in the Western Conference semifinals. It seems to give him enough confidence to take on the MVP contender.

When Miller was on All The Smoke, Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes wanted to know how he’d guard Jokic. “The same damn way I guard everybody – bust your a**.” When they double-checked with him if the same old techniques will work, he took his confidence up a notch. “Yeah, he’s slow motion. I could guard him. We were at the same pace. That should be slow is fast and fast is slow. That’s kind of his pace. That’s how I played. I’d be alright with the Joker.”

That’s an uncommon way of commenting on The Joker’s signature style. He doesn’t ‘appear’ athletic enough when he looks like he’s moving in slow motion, he’s smooth when he’s fast, usually holds off a fastbreak till he has an opening and his opponent can’t recover quickly enough to block him. His strategy is effective and hard to beat. Not many can contend with high basketball IQ and methodical strategy in the heat of the moment.

But that was also something Miller was known for. The NBA journeyman has played for six teams in the league and also played overseas. When injuries weren’t in the way, he was a strong defensive player and effective passer but also slow. In over 800 NBA games before retiring in Minnesota in 20212, he averaged 11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He could defend in the paint but not as effectively as the Nuggets center. Some social media users even dubbed him the poor man’s Joker.

He’s not wrong that their paces look similar. But from the responses to that comment, fans think Miller might be underestimating Jokic a tad. Or he’s jaded by the other center he was up against.

Brad Miller vs the big men

The most memorable moment of Miller’s career was when he was playing with the Bulls. They were playing against the Lakers in 2002 with prime Shaq on the team. It was in this game that Miller nearly got the living daylights punched out of him by Shaq.

As a center, the Big Aristotle stood out as an agile big man. A common strategy his rivals adopted was to foul him so he’d fail his free throws. Miller’s attempt to foul Shaq got a little out of hand when Charles Oakley came in the way. In the brawl that ensued, Shaq threw a punch at Miller but missed by a hair. On All the Smoke, Miller joked that it wouldn’t be a bad thing if the punch landed. Sure, he’d be breathing through a straw but he’d sue Shaq to get a 5% of his multi-faceted business empire.

In case he’s taking on Jokic, the Nuggets star should be wary of potential lawsuits. Until then, Miller can dream.