• Isiah Thomas floated the idea that Nikola Jokic could be a better passer than Magic Johnson.
• Thomas praised Jokic’s timing, touch and no-look feeds that create scoring chances.
• Jokic’s recent averages (28.9 PTS, 12.0 REB, 10.9 AST) and long-term assist rate support the eye test.
• The comparison highlights how Jokic’s role as a seven-foot playmaker is redefining playmaking.
H2: Isiah Thomas sparks bold Jokic vs. Magic debate
Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas set off a surprising conversation on NBA on NBC when he suggested Nikola Jokic might be a better passer than Magic Johnson. Thomas, a celebrated point guard himself, admitted his initial disbelief before pointing to Jokic’s consistent timing, touch and creativity on the court.
Embedded post: YouTube short — https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OQpoNXd7KNE
H3: What Thomas said about Jokic’s passing
Thomas singled out Jokic’s no-look passes and ability to hit teammates in tight windows. “He may be a better passer than Magic Johnson,” Thomas said, then added that the more he watched Jokic, the more the comparison made sense. He highlighted Jokic’s habit of catching the ball on the block or at the top of the key and delivering pinpoint passes to weak-side shooters.
H3: Style and position — why the comparison matters
Magic Johnson’s legacy is rooted in perimeter orchestration: a 6-foot-9 point guard who controlled pace and distribution. Jokic’s approach is different. As a seven-foot center, Jokic initiates offense from multiple spots — the block, the elbow, the top of the key — and makes reads defenders rarely expect from a big man. Thomas framed Jokic as “functionally a six-one point guard” thanks to his ball skills and court vision.
H4: Numbers that back the argument
The statistical snapshot Thomas referenced is striking. The article notes Jokic averaging 28.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.9 assists while shooting above 60% from the field and better than 43% from three. Over the last four seasons, Jokic has averaged 9.8 assists per game — an extraordinary figure for someone listed as a center. His career assist average is reported at 7.4 and rising.
By contrast, Magic Johnson remains the historical standard for passing: a career average of 11.2 assists per game and four league-leading seasons in assists.
H4: How to read the comparison
Thomas’ comments don’t erase Magic’s legacy. Instead, they signal how Jokic has changed expectations for playmaking from bigs. The debate is partly stylistic: Magic set tempo from the perimeter; Jokic manufactures opportunities from everywhere on the floor.
H5: The takeaway
Whether Jokic is objectively a better passer than Magic is likely unanswerable — their eras, positions and roles differ. But Thomas’ endorsement from a former elite point guard elevates the conversation and underscores Jokic’s influence on how modern basketball defines playmaking.
Source: Isiah Thomas’ comments on NBA on NBC and Jokic statistical snapshot as reported.
Image Referance: https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-media/isiah-thomas-nikola-jokic-might-be-a-better-passer-than-magic-johnson
