We all knew that reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was good – but few people knew he was this good.
While there has been so much talk about Ja Morant, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James this season, Jokic has quietly been having one of the best years in NBA history.
In fact, he is very close to claiming an incredible stat: the most triple-doubles by a center in the history of the league.
Nikola Jokic today:
27 PTS
12 REB
10 AST
12-15 FGHe is 7 away from tying Wilt Chamberlain for most triple-doubles by a center in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/8cybnmD3Il
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 6, 2022
Jokic is truly one of the best players in the NBA and is proving it again and again – even without the amazing record he’s sneaking up on.
The Joker’s Last Laugh
The Nuggets snapped their three-game losing streak on Sunday night when they took down the Brooklyn Nets, who have lost the last eight games.
A major part of the Nuggets’ victory was due in part to Jokic, who racked up yet another triple-double and dominated the court.
Believe it or not, this was Jokic’s 14th triple-double of the season.
While he wasn’t alone in the victory (Will Barton had 21 points, Aaron Gordon had 17) Jokic was once again front-and-center and leading the team.
The thing that that really did Brooklyn in was the fact that Jokic is dangerous in so many ways.
Many people would assume he’s only capable of being a defensive threat because of his size but Jokic is actually a major offensive threat too.
The guy can do a lot from all over the court.
The Many Talents Of Jokic
Jokic is an absolute monster when it comes to stopping plays from opponents but he’s also incredible at creating smooth plays that take competitors by surprise too.
His assist game is off the charts, as evidenced by his 10 assists against the Nets.
Jokic has the ability to spot one of his teammates from just about anywhere on the floor and seems to be able to weave the ball between the mass of competitors to find his man.
This was no more obvious than earlier in the season when he performed a pass that looked like absolute magic.
The replays of that obscene Jokic pass along with the live view, beautiful pic.twitter.com/NQxJM34djD
— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) January 8, 2022
This is what makes Jokic so hard to stop: he can shoot, he can block, he can pass.
There really isn’t much the big man can’t do.
It’s rare that a guy as big as Jokic (he’s 7-feet tall) is able to achieve so much.
Yet, again and again he is found all over the floor, either creating points, assisting with them, or ending them.
NBA players don’t get so many triple-doubles without having talent in nearly every aspect of the game.
By definition, a triple-double is proof that someone can play the game in multiple ways.
The fact that Jokic is so close to stealing a record away from Chamberlain just goes to show that he’s one of the best players in the league right now – and possibly one of the best big men in the history of the game.
He’s a bonafide talent that has the rare ability to carry a team in so many different aspects.
He was last year’s MVP but he’s making a strong case to land that prize again this year.
NEXT: Can DeMarcus Cousins Stick In Denver?