Vlatko Cancar, who has played alongside both Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, provides a unique insight into the contrasting styles of these two Slovenian basketball stars. Having been teammates with Jokic from 2019 to 2024 on the Denver Nuggets and with Doncic during Slovenia’s gold medal run at EuroBasket 2017, Cancar has a firsthand understanding of their elite capabilities.
Cancar explains that Doncic prefers to take charge, asserting control over the game at all times. “Luka, compared to Nikola, wants everything to run through him,” Cancar shared during a discussion on X&O’s Chat. “He expects players to be in position, ready to shoot when he runs pick and rolls. He doesn’t tolerate slacking – if you’re not prepared, he’ll let you know.” This assertive leadership style stems from Doncic’s desire to manage each offensive possession intricately.
Conversely, Jokic commands the court with a quieter demeanor. “Nikola is more reserved,” Cancar notes. “He holds back his emotions until he’s pushed to the edge, but once he’s at that point, he truly makes an impact. His efficiency shines, mainly because he operates closer to the basket. At his size, there aren’t many centers capable of guarding him one-on-one.”
Cancar underlines how their physical attributes influence their gameplay. “When teams start double-teaming Nikola, the ball movement becomes dynamic,” he explains. “He plays nearer to the hoop, whereas Luka frequently initiates plays from beyond the arc. This requires more energy and effort from Doncic, making his style tougher overall.”
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