NBA fans are displeased with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski for comparing Bill Walton’s playing to Nikola Jokic. Walton died at the age of 71 on May 27, 2024, after a fight with cancer. The Hall of Famer won two NBA championships and was a former league MVP.

On a recent episode of “NBA Today” on ESPN, Wojnarowski, Kendrick Perkins, and Malika Andrews reviewed Walton’s legacy as a player and broadcaster. Woj compared Walton’s skill to that of the Denver Nuggets’ big man, who revolutionized the center position as a playmaker.

“You look at Nikola Jokic and what he has done to revolutionize the center position in the NBA and basketball, perhaps the closest comparison to Jokic is Bill Walton,” Wojnarowski stated.

Despite paying a beautiful tribute to Bill Walton, NBA fans are offended with Adrian Wojnarowski’s analogy. Many people thought Jokic was far superior to the Hall of Fame big man, whose promising career was cut short by injuries.

“I have nothing but love for Bill Walton, Woj, and the ESPN crew, but comparing Bill Walton’s career to Jokic’s is simply absurd, dawg. I understand wanting to memorialize BW, but that isn’t the way to do it,” one fan remarked.”Jokic will be in the top ten of all time,” said another fan.”Jokic 100,000 times better than Walton ever was,” one fan wrote.

other fans believed Jokic was inspired by European players like Arvydas Sabonis and Vlade Divac, rather than Bill Walton.

“Arvydas Sabonis bridged their gap,” one fan commented.”Jokic is the new-age Arvydas Sabonis, not Bill Walton,” one fan wrote.”Vlade Divac is more on par with Jokic than Walton,” another fan commented.Comparing Nikola Jokic and Bill Walton’s careers

Bill Walton was ahead of his time in that he could pass despite being the center. Walton’s career was cut short due to injuries, and he peaked early with the Portland Trail Blazers. He is also a major fan of Nikola Jokic, whom he has commended in broadcasts.

Let’s compare Walton to Jokic:

Career averages

Nikola Jokic: 20.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG (56/35/83).Bill Walton averaged 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 52/00/66 during his best season.

Nikola Jokic (2021-22): 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG; 58/33/81.Bill Walton (1977–78): 18.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 52/00/70

Career accomplishments

Nikola Jokic: 1x NBA champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, 3x NBA MVP, 6x NBA All-Star, 4x NBA First Team, and 2x NBA Second Team.Bill Walton has two NBA championships, one NBA Finals MVP, one NBA MVP, two NBA All-Stars, one All-NBA First Team, and one All-NBA Second Team. NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 2x All-Defensive First Team