Stop Denying the Greatness of Nikola Jokic: Unchecked

There's no more denying the greatness of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

It feels like all season everyone has been attempting to give anyone but Nikola Jokic the MVP. But he clearly deserves the award, and that’s okay because the guy is legitimately great. How many other players could you put on this current Denver Nuggets team and still believe they could win a playoff series?

Nikola Jokic is averaging 36 PPG on 61.7% shooting this series. pic.twitter.com/yUIuMtO1m5

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 25, 2021

I’ll admit when I had previously seen a stat like box plus/minus, where his season ranks top ten all-time alongside the likes of LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Steph Curry; it gave me pause for a second.

Nikola Jokic this season:

✅ 1,898 PTS
✅ 780 REB
✅ 599 AST

Jokic became just the third player in NBA history to finish a season ranked in the top five in total points (3rd), rebounds (5th), and assists (3rd), joining Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain (3x). pic.twitter.com/YR26ticwgE

— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) May 17, 2021

But then you watch him play and see he is putting in work from every area on the floor, whether that be at the rim, from mid-range or beyond the arc. And that’s on top of his ability to facilitate from the center possession, where he is unquestionably without peer as a passer. In fact, he’s one of one in the sense that he’s the only big man in the league who I believe is a one-man offense.

Nikola Jokic’s game is pure art pic.twitter.com/Rnfvsf7S5c

— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopNBA) May 25, 2021

He won’t be the Most Valuable Player by default, he’s dominating, just ask Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Joker is continuing to prove himself as a consistent playoff performer in that series. He’s currently sitting at a cool 25, 11 and 7 in his postseason career, and it feels like he’s just getting started.

Nikola Jokic in his 1st 33 playoff games...

More points than Robinson, Moses and Duncan.

More rebounds than Ewing, Parish and Pettit.

More assists than Jordan, Nash and Wade.

No player in NBA history has more points, rebounds and assists through 33 career playoff games.

— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) May 23, 2021

So, though he may not look the part, it’s time for everyone to stop denying the greatness of Nikola Jokic. And maybe it’s also time for a nickname change as well, because his game is no joke.