John Salley believes Nikola Jokic’s awkwardness hides his prowess: “I would have figured out how to throw the ball and hit him in his face”

Nikola Jokic is the NBA’s reigning and back-to-back MVP. He’s also slow, lumbering, and awkward and does not have the most aesthetically pleasing game in the league.

After putting up two straight years of incredible basketball brilliance and skill, fans are slowly realizing just how dominant the Serbian has been. On the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, John Salley explained probably the only way to contain the “Joker:”

“I get so nervous watching him [Jokic], knowing I would have to punch him in the face. I would have figured out how to throw the ball and hit him in his face, that’s the only way to stop him. He looks so awkward but he giving them numbers.”

Unc x John Salley = Episode 59 👀

🎧: sprtspod.fox/Ep.59 https://t.co/a6YEVSosDq

John Salley’s most memorable years in the NBA were with the Detroit Pistons in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. He was a mainstay of the “Bad Boys,” who were notorious for their bruising and physical play that others have often called dirty.

Salley’s tactic might have worked in that era where he could bait Nikola Jokic into a fight or take him out of his game with underhanded tactics. However, it’s unlikely to work in today’s NBA as the rules now unquestionably favor the offensive player.

If the only way to stop Jokic is to antagonize him and get him ejected, even that might only work for some time.

In November last year, Nikola Jokic’s shorthanded Denver Nuggets played against the loaded Miami Heat. Denver handled their business behind the “Joker's” impressive performance on both ends of the floor.

With the win almost a foregone conclusion, Miami’s Markieff Morris elbowed the All-NBA center near midcourt. Jokic retaliated by shoving Morris' back hard.

Both were ejected but the Serbian’s exceptional game had already done the damage. He had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before he was sent to the locker room.

The dustup was only a minor blip in Jokic’s MVP campaign last season. He posted historically great numbers, particularly when it came to advanced metrics. Even if the advanced numbers were to be discarded, it was impossible to disregard his dominance.

Nikola Jokic has been voted MVP, per @wojespn

Back-to-back for the Joker puts him in legendary company 🏆 https://t.co/cQRkPr5ph7

The Nuggets were without two of their best players in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for much of last season. In their absence, Nikola Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.5 steals in 75 games. He was the single biggest reason why Denver even made it into the postseason.

Nikola Jokic is off to another great start

Nikola Jokic has a healthier and better supporting cast this season than last.

Nikola Jokic isn’t putting up the same mind-boggling numbers as last season, but he has continued to be the Denver Nuggets’ best player.

He is currently averaging 20.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Jokic's scoring has dropped as he has more weapons at his disposal, but he’s on pace to average a career-high in assists.

The four-time All-Star leads the Nuggets in scoring, rebounding and assists after the first 10 games of the season. He is also second in steals and blocks. Denver outscores opponents by 2.3 points when he plays and is outscored by rival teams by 7.3 points when he sits.

Nikola Jokic tonight:

15 PTS
13 REB
13 AST

Most triple-doubles ever by a center. https://t.co/e08XFwm1xe

Success isn't getting into Nikola Jokic's head as well. He quickly credited his teammates after passing Wilt Chamberlain for most triple-doubles by a center in NBA history.

Jokic may not win the MVP award for the third straight year, but he is unquestionably one of the NBA’s elite talents. Denver will only go as far as the Serbian can carry them.