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When you ask an NBA fan who their MVP is for the season, not many of them will name Nikola Jokic. It’s understandable: other players put up MVP numbers in ways that excite more people. Fans looking at a small sample of Jokic’s game will find his play boring compared to other superstars.
With that in mind, Luka Doncic is the likely winner of the award; he is the only reason why the Dallas Mavericks are not at the bottom of the Western Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum are other favorites to win the Joker award.
But to quote the great Rasheed Wallace, the ball doesn’t lie. The statistics point to a neck-to-neck battle for the inaugural Michael Jordan Trophy. If Xgtiger Casino fans take the time and look at the big picture, Jokic is more than just a dark horse to join an exclusive club of three-peat MVP winners.
The Stats Say Something
One look at the Western Conference standings will tell you all you need to know about Nikola Jokic’s impact on the Nuggets. They are among the West’s best teams despite losing two of their best players—Jamal Murray and Michael Porter, Jr.—for several games.
The individual stats of every other player on the roster also show scores of Jokic’s influence on the squad. Every player who gets more than ten minutes in a game gets at least ten points at a good shooting clip. Even the players on the edge of the rotation benefit from the incredible play of Nikola Jokic every time they are on the floor.
Joker’s stat line also shows how he has continued to dominate the opposition this season. He averaged 24.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks after 27 starts.
Jokic’s advanced stats can make even the most data-driven analytics fan smile. He leads all eligible players in win shares at 5.5 and tops the Box Plus/Minus charts with 12.0. Doncic is a close second in both categories, with 5.3 and 10.4, respectively. Luka finally got one in the assist percentage (Joki only 44.7% to 48.2%) of the Mavs star.
His latest outings have also impressed fans and experts alike. Wilt Chamberlain is the last NBA player to reach the numbers he did in his incredible outing against the Charlotte Hornets. He scored 40 points, 27 rebounds, and ten rebounds on 50% shooting.
His stellar play against the Washington Wizards (43 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, and five steals) and New Orleans Pelicans (32 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists on 68% shooting) in December tells us how much he great finisher.
Nikola Jokic is Unstoppable in the Post
When you ask NBA fans for dominant offensive power, you usually get three-level scorers with shot charts that show how their shots spread across the court.
However, Nikola Jokic’s shot chart for the season will raise your eyebrows. While he makes three-point attempts to space the floor, his MO is always to get into the paint. It doesn’t matter if he gets the ball at the elbow or near the three-point line. He will use his strength to bully his way into the restricted area and score.
While teams may double him to prevent him from scoring, he will use his height to see over trees and see which players are coming to double him. He will use his massive wingspan to fire a bullet pass to the weak side shooter in the corner or a lively bounce pass to the cutting winger for an easy two.
Defenders are in a tight spot whenever they have to guard Jokic in the post. He can score if you leave him alone, but he can also find an open teammate if you double him quickly.
His shot chart looks eerily similar to another MVP candidate. Another player is considered a Freak, known for barreling down into the restricted area with opposing defenders doing nothing but watching him score.
Nikola The Steam Engine
Speaking of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic has developed an impressive transition game. What used to be walking became a matter of having a steam engine forcing deep penetration into the paint.
He still uses his patented court vision to find an open runner or shooter while gaining momentum. However, he does not refuse to take it to the side if he is stronger or more agile than his mark.
He was also able to create sneaky bursts of speed to get past slower defenders. He lowers his center of gravity and forces his way hard to leave his opponents one step too late to stop his shot or pass.
Even if the player guarding him stops his steam-powered run to the rim, he can use his unique skill set to score points. Whether he’s making a brilliant pass or busting out the Sombor Shuffle, he’ll find a way to turn his transition game into points.
Nikola Jokic’s transition game has all the power of a gas-powered muscle car with the smooth quiet of a Tesla.
A Quiet But Intense Leadership
While it won’t directly affect his chances of winning the Michael Jordan Trophy, Jokic’s expanded leadership role with the Nuggets will affect how his team performs on the court.
He’s already the leader on the court because of his overall role on the floor, but he’s also starting to show what he expects from his teammates. He started wearing more suits to games so his teammates would take the game more seriously. While some may have scoffed at Jokic’s cynicism, this mentality was well received by old-school players like Charles Barkley.
Another reason why he is considered a significant influence on his teammates is that he does not care about personal accolades. His apathy in last year’s MVP race was due to his focus on helping his team win more games.
This kind of head-down leadership is something fans have seen before. Tim Duncan was the quiet foundation that helped the Spurs enjoy 20 years of consistent playoff basketball. He doesn’t say much, but his way of leading by example has led to many happy years for Spurs Nation.
Jokic and Duncan are two different players with different playing styles. But suppose the Joker shapes his leadership style after the Big Fundamental. In that instance, he ensures sustained success for himself and the Nuggets organization.
Can Nikola Jokic Do The Impossible?
In the past twenty years, two players have won back-to-back MVP honors. It shows how good the current crop of players are.
However, only three men in the entire history of the association have won the MVP award three years in a row: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Additionally, Larry Bird is the only three-peat MVP to win the media vote.
It is almost impossible for any other player to join this elite company. Fatigue and voter narratives are some of the most important driving forces behind why a player looking for three consecutive MVP years will never win it.
But if there’s anyone who can buck the trend, it’s Nikola Jokic. He is the heart and soul of the Nuggets. He is making his mark on the league in a quiet but bombastic way.
Maybe this is just a joke to fans who are tired of Jokic’s dominance. However, his talent is real and should be celebrated. Watch and bet on the upcoming playoffs here at Xgtiger online casino!
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Frequently asked questions
While rehabbing his left ankle, Jokic tried not to put weight on his compromised foot as he got shot ups in practice. He ultimately developed a new unorthodox move called the “Sombor Shuffle” — named for his hometown of Sombor — that would later torment defenses. Take a look the Joker’s “Sombor Shuffle” move!
