It’s almost a small event in recent weeks: Nikola Jokic did not finish in triple-double against the Kings. The pivot of the Nuggets has not been idle, however, making a huge game with 38 points at 15/24 to shoot, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. He was already at 15 points after the first quarter, then 24 units and 10 rebounds at the break, after a first half dominated by Denver. The Kings, deprived of Domantas Sabonis, were eye-catching, but it was too easy for the 2021 MVP.
“He controlled the whole game”can only notice Alvin Gentry. “He’s a point guard, a winger, a pivot… He’s all that’s needed at the right time. This guy is different. He is never pushed around. He does what has to be done to win. When you watch him play, it’s hard to imagine that he won’t have the MVP trophy yet. He is one of those players that you can put on any team and that team will be very successful. “
The Kings coach therefore joins Steve Kerr, for whom Nikola Jokic deserves to keep his MVP trophy this season. For three matches, the Serb has been running at 38.6 points with 68% shooting success, 15 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 2.3 blocks on average! “He’s the MVP”says Jeff Green at the Denver Post. “It’s normal for him now. “
Normal, but Michael Malone still wants to emphasize the benefits of his player. Not only the figures, which are still impressive, but also the physical performance.
Nikola Jokic had been immense against the Pelicans (after overtime) and the Warriors, with 78 points, 27 rebounds and 24 assists in 78 minutes. All in two days.
“Everyone says he’s not a great athlete, but look at the quadruple overtime game against Portland”explains the Nuggets coach, in reference to this legendary match in the 2019 playoffs where Nikola Jokic had played 65 minutes. “How many players can do that? Since he doesn’t touch the top of the backboard, he is thought to lack athleticism. But his physical condition is enormous. He can run all day. He played all 72 games last season, being the MVP. The figures show that he is having a better season than last year and we are one of the best teams even though we have a lot of absentees. “
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | DEN | 58 | 33 | 57.3 | 36.3 | 80.1 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 8.1 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 25.9 |
| Total | 511 | 30 | 53.9 | 35.0 | 83.0 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 10.3 | 6.2 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 19.3 | |
