I by no means noticed Michael Jordan actually play in his prime. I have been watching NBA basketball for about 20 years, so I have been round for nearly the whole lot of LeBron James’ legendary profession. I do know the nice story offered by guys like Magic Johnson, Larry Chicken and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
It’s due to this fact important that I get this out within the open, though I perceive that some folks would possibly contemplate this sentiment blasphemous.
To me, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is without doubt one of the few most outstanding basketball gamers I’ve ever seen. He’s a singular expertise of all time. Relying on the day and the temper, you would possibly persuade me that he is the very best I’ve ever seen. Sure, it belongs to this dialog between Jordan and James.
There is no such thing as a different cheap conclusion after seeing Jokic enter 12 months 10 of his profession this season – having already gained a daily season MVP or an NBA Finals MVP in every of the final 4 years – and having by some means been extra dominant than ever (severely) on a Nuggets staff, some thought it could be in for a irritating transition.
Rewrite historical past
Nikola Jokić is the primary participant in NBA historical past to have these statistics after 10 video games:
297 factors
137 rebounds
117 assists pic.twitter.com/n8eLAhcShY-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 11, 2024
Actually, solely 10 video games in 2024-25, Jokic is the clear favourite for a fourth common season MVP. Averaging practically 30 triple-double factors (go) up to now whereas taking pictures over 50 p.c from 3s at excessive quantity (go!), the competitors is not shut. (He is additionally tied for sixth in deflections and tenth in steals.) In consequence, as an alternative of falling right into a spiral of drama and malaise, the 7-3 Nuggets stay top-tier championship contenders .
Take a look at these numbers. Take a look at this NBA 2K-level numbers. Actually, take a look at them.
Nikola Jokic over the past 9 matches:
41 PTS – 9 CER – 4 AST
40 PTS – 10 CER – 4 AST
29 PTS – 18 CER – 16 AST
26 PTS – 9 CER – 13 AST
27 PTS – 16 CER – 9 AST
28 PTS – 14 CER – 13 AST
23 PTS – 20 CER – 16 AST
30 PTS – 11 CER – 14 AST
37 PTS – 18 CER – 15 ASTMVP. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/EDvBA9C3Ru
– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 11, 2024
This must be complicated. This could make no sense. Nonetheless, with Jokic, the whole lot occurs in good concord.
He actually is healthier than ever. It is so ridiculous to consider, man.
Jokic’s highly effective new-look Nuggets offense
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
Each nugget (no pun supposed) on Jokic’s transcendent 10-game begin is mind-boggling.
Along with already orchestrating Denver’s offense like a conductor on the controls of a well-tuned machine as he at all times does, Jokic is now upping the tempo of one of many quickest groups within the NBA. (Good morning, Russell Westbrook Impact.) A 12 months after enjoying a reasonably efficient however inflexible attacking model with tempo ranked twenty sixth, Denver is seventh within the NBA in offensive tempo on the time of writing these traces. In accordance with Nuggets author Matt Brooksthey’re sixth within the NBA in transition possessions per sport and lead the NBA in putbacks. This comes as Denver stays a top-five half-court offense, by Glass Cleansing.
Uh… what?
This chameleon-like mix accentuates Jokic’s greatest presents: contact and anticipation. Along with already working for a top quality shot in any respect prices within the half courtroom, Jokic can now ignite the Nuggets’ shifty athletic group in transition for tons of simple baskets together with his signature dynamite go. Life has by no means been simpler for Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther and, in fact, Westbrook.
These summer time worries about poor spacing and 3-point taking pictures?
All that has been left behind with a Jokic-led Denver offense that focuses on punishing opposing defenses in each approach potential with out ever giving them a break. At this price, the NBA’s fourth-highest scoring offense is downright unimaginable to plan for.
The Nuggets’ true staff mentality
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
The loopy factor about these Nuggets is that everybody is transferring off the ball. Everyone seems to be operating. Everybody touches the ball. Everybody trusts one another. Basically, everybody purchased into Jokic’s lovely sport.
The Nuggets flourish there.
Braun was a revelation because the staff’s beginning taking pictures guard as an environment friendly two-way power ball. After a pre-season marred by accidents, Watson has turn out to be a prototypical versatile ahead who provides different groups matches each night time. Strawther exhibits what a reliable and polished scorer he’s with glorious really feel for the sport. After two separate stints with Los Angeles NBA franchises – the place he was unceremoniously scapegoated for his unrepentant chaos – Westbrook established himself as a vigorous facilitator who understands how important his mentorship is to every of the previous younger gamers. Michael Porter Jr. is now not a one-dimensional level shooter. He is now a man who’s lastly comfy placing the ball on the bottom and who makes additional performs for his teammates in a approach that demonstrates the residual results of Jokic on his frame of mind.
The truth that Jamal Murray nonetheless is not himself whereas Aaron Gordon recovers from a calf pressure solely amplifies the great progress Jokic and the remainder of the Nuggets have already made.
Jokic himself appears invigorated by this unfiltered chaos and power. He performs with a simultaneous edge and pleasure within the drudgery of November video games like we have not seen shortly. Apart from being a do-it-all celebrity who does all the large and small issues, you’ll be able to inform there’s one thing a bit of completely different about Jokic’s method this season when he is talking out a lot by main his teammates into the group.
Anybody who nonetheless says they don’t seem to be that eager about gaming does not know what they’re speaking about:
That is what management appears like throughout the group. Jokic is extraordinarily vocal together with his coaches and teammates. A silent participant is a foul participant
– Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) November 12, 2024
Keep in mind that the above occurred in November.
Jokic’s Nuggets aren’t good but
Dustin Bradford/Getty Photos
Despite the fact that issues appear to be going effectively up to now, Jokic’s Nuggets nonetheless have issues to work on.
The younger wings have been good, however they nonetheless have a strategy to go earlier than they’re able to contribute high quality minutes in a tense playoff environment. Despite the fact that it is brimming with electrical playmaking expertise, the protection stays a piece in progress on finer particulars like cohesion and communication. Denver additionally must discover a strategy to mood Jokic’s minutes (38.1, the very best of his profession so far) in a approach that preserves him for the playoffs whereas guaranteeing the Nuggets can nonetheless win just a few video games within the chase. of among the best within the Western Convention. seeds. I’ve little doubt that Jokic can preserve his present monster degree of play for an prolonged season. However Denver does not intention to put on him out earlier than the crucible of the playoffs and a hopeful second title run.
His workload will ultimately need to lower.
“I don’t understand how sustainable it’s to play Nikola Jokic 40 to 44 minutes an evening.” – Malone, who wasn’t carrying a scorching canine costume whereas saying this.
– Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 11, 2024
Nonetheless, it seems that these considerations can be resolved, albeit progressively, over the approaching months.
As a result of the Nuggets’ course of as a marquee title contender appears impeccable proper now. They do all the correct issues in opposition to a few of the greatest groups within the NBA and study precious classes about themselves within the course of. It is nonetheless early, however they’re heading in the right direction in all areas.
You possibly can see Denver beginning to construct one thing particular.
A transparent assertion from the very best participant on this planet
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
All of this early season success is because of Jokic, who extremely took his sport to a different degree throughout his age 30 season. The hole has by no means been larger between him and the subsequent greatest participant within the NBA. And he determined to contain all of the members of his staff on this journey by setting an instance. I suppose I should not say I am shocked. Once you watch one of many best athletes to ever contact a bouncy orange ball, all bets are off. Their incomparable high quality ought to in all probability be an expectation, not a dream ceiling you would by no means think about.
Welcome to the NBA season the place a fiery Nikola Jokic has determined to cease giving a lonely thumb to everybody outdoors his bubble.
We must be each excited and terrified.
