Bill Simmons trolls Eddie Johnson for finally hopping on the Jokic bandwagon

Bill Simmons was among the first in Eddie Johnson’s comment section to remind him it was already too late to jump on the Jokic bandwagon, according to www.basketballnetwork.net. The exact wording of Simmons’ comment is not in the source.

The jab came right after Johnson praised Nikola Jokic’s no-look, behind-the-back assist to Cameron Johnson for a corner 3-pointer during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz. It was the kind of pass that breaks the internet — a 6-foot-11, 284-pound center threading the needle like a point guard.

But Simmons wasn’t about to let Johnson slide. The praise was a sharp turn for Johnson, who spent most of last season throwing everything he had at the 2023 NBA champion. Eddie spent his time pointing out how people were getting ahead of themselves while hyping Jokic.

Now, after one highlight, Johnson was singing a different tune. Simmons, who never shied away from his admiration for Jokic, was quick to catch the flip. He was one of the few analysts who voted for Jokic ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP race last season — and someone who wrote about his potential before he even became an All-Star.

The back-and-forth dynamic between the two reportedly continued for the majority of last season. Johnson was determined to prove people wrong about Simmons, per the source. But this time, the bandwagon door was already closed.

THE PASS THAT STARTED IT

The pass came in the NBA preseason, with Jokic suited up for the Denver Nuggets against the Utah Jazz. He finished with only three points, three rebounds, seven assists and one shot attempt.

But it was the single assist that mattered. His no-look, behind-the-back dish to Cameron Johnson for a corner 3-pointer immediately sparked reactions on social media, per www.basketballnetwork.net.

That kind of pass became normal just because Jokic made it, but this is anything but normal. The source notes the 6-foot-11, 284 lbs big man threw it like a point guard, not a center going through fierce battles under the rim night in and night out.