Aday Mara must turn to familiar face to achieve Nikola Jokic dreams with Thunder

Recently, OKC Thunder rookie big Aday Mara revealed that one of his main goals heading into the NBA is to model his game after Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic.

During an interview with ESPN, the Michigan product praised the three-time MVP for his high basketball IQ and, in particular, his dominant distribution skills, revealing that he's "just trying to learn how he thinks" when passing the rock.

"The way he passes the ball. He makes it super easy. The looks. All the things that he does," Mara said.

Hearing Mara's desire to try and emulate one of the game's greatest players of all time is certainly exciting, and, at least when it comes to honing his skills as a passer in the same vein as Jokic, quite realistic, as his very own teammate, Isaiah Hartenstein, is perhaps the perfect person to turn to in order to acquire any and all helpful intel on such a trait.

Isaiah Hartenstein can help Thunder rookie accomplish passing goals

Since joining the Thunder back in 2024, Hartenstein has had more of an opportunity to display his own elite passing skills on a regular basis and has wowed both fans and pundits in the process.

From dropping consistently accurate back-door cut dimes to, on occasion, flashing highlight reel no-lookers, the veteran has truly cemented himself as not only one of the best passers on the Thunder but, at least among big men, one of the best in the entire association.

When asked how he was able to hone his craft as a facilitator, Hartenstein revealed that while he, like Mara, has always had a natural feel for finding open teammates, it reached new levels once he teamed up with Jokic during his time with the Nuggets back in 2020.

"Playing with Jokic also helped a lot. Just asking him questions, being with him a lot kind of took my passing to another level for sure," Hartenstein said.

What's encouraging is that the tricks of the trade Hartenstein learned from Jokic don't seem like they're being hoarded by the big man -- after all, since his arrival, fellow big Jaylin Williams has seen his passing skills visibly reach new heights.

Coincidence, we think not.

Hopefully, his knowledge of how to effectively dish out dimes can now be shared with Mara as he strives to bring his already sound passing skills to an even higher level in the pros.

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