The NBA is full of players with skill sets we have rarely seen before.
For instance, more and more centers have become great passers and shooters.
That was something that we never saw a decade ago.
One of the most skilled big men we have ever seen is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
After winning back-to-back MVPs, Jokic looks primed to take home his third straight.
Jokic is averaging a triple-double this season, it would be the first time a player has done that for a full season since Russell Westbrook.
But, some media members tend to believe that Jokic is stat-padding.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green calls that narrative “lazy”.
"The stat-padding narrative is lazy"
—@Money23Green doesn't agree with the Jokic criticism pic.twitter.com/Jl12KSaqRR
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 9, 2023
Even though Green did not call anyone out directly, he is speaking to Kendrick Perkins.
That is because Perkins was the first one to mention he thinks Jokic is stat-padding.
The only way Jokic could be stat padding is with assists.
He is the Nuggets’ best scorer and rebounder, so he is relied on to be excellent in those two categories.
But, when it comes to passing, that is what makes Jokic a generational player.
Jokic is one of the primary ball handlers on the Nuggets and their most skilled passer.
Also, the Nuggets are the best team in the Western Conference, and one of the best in the NBA.
That would not be the case if their best player were just chasing stats.
While Jokic could be better on the defensive end, his offensive prowess is something the NBA has not seen before and the main reason he is favored for another MVP.
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