USA Today via Reuters
Dec 28, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Christian Wood (35) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 28, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Christian Wood (35) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Jokic is establishing his position in the MVP race. While we are just a handful of games into the season, Jokic’s early dominance has been obvious. The Nuggets haven’t been winning their games consistently but just had a massive win over the Houston Rockets. The facilitator of that win in the most literal sense was Jokic.
He had a monster triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high 18 assists. That assist number is the highest of the new season so far, and might just stand for the entire season. No center has displayed this sort of passing proficiency in decades. As a matter of fact, the last center to get 18+ assists was Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
Nikola Jokic tonight:
19 PTS
12 REB
18 AST (career-high)He is the first center with 18+ assists in a game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. pic.twitter.com/qXUfhdYfKj
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 29, 2020
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Jokic also notched his 43rd career triple-double, which has him at the ninth most position already. Jokic is still relatively young and has his entire career ahead of him. He is currently averaging a triple-double on the season.
Nikola Jokic records his 43rd career triple-double, tying Fat Lever for 9th-most in NBA history 👏 pic.twitter.com/Y6GR3xNadV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2020
The Nuggets have won their first game of the season over the depleted Houston Rockets. Jokic’s numbers are phenomenal, and if they continue on this trajectory, fans may be seriously putting him in the MVP race.
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Nikola Jokic: Best big-man in the league?
There are quite a lot of talented big men in the league. While the number one pick for big-men is usually Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Davis, Jokic belongs right there with them in that conversation. No center is as skilled and cerebral as Jokic. He can score, shoot, and is easily one of the top five passers in the league.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 28, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles past Houston Rockets forward Christian Wood (35) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
His defensive positioning is improving with each game. While he obviously doesn’t have the same athleticism as other centers, he more than makes up for it with his excellent perception. We haven’t seen a high-IQ big man like Jokic in a while.
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With the traditional center becoming more obsolete in the modern game, players need to adjust their game like Jokic. He is giving the position new viability by becoming one of the biggest threats whenever he is on the floor.
