Nikola Jokic is turning heads with his recent performances, racking up an impressive 36 assists over his last two games for the Nuggets. This season marks the first time in his 11-year career that he's leading the league in assists, and it's a testament to his evolving game. However, some critics are questioning the legitimacy of these assists, suggesting that Denver's scorekeepers might be too generous.
The controversy mainly revolves around Jokic's handoffs during pick-and-roll plays with Jamal Murray. Critics argue that when Murray takes a few extra steps to create his shot, Jokic still gets credited with the assist, sparking debate over the validity of these stats.
Sure, there might be a few questionable assists in the mix, but let's not forget that even legends like John Stockton likely had similar situations on their way to record-breaking numbers. As analyst Jason Timpf highlights, this isn't just a Jokic issue-it's something that needs addressing across the league.
Interestingly, Jokic's assist numbers remain consistent whether he's playing at home or away. This season, he's played 30 road games and 28 home games, tallying 314 assists in each scenario.
Last year, he had slightly more assists at home, but he also played more games there. The stats simply don't support the idea of a hometown bias.
Despite the chatter, Jokic is having a phenomenal season, leading the league in both rebounds and assists. For years, he's been considered one of the best players globally, and his current stats back that up. It's not uncommon for top players to face criticism-just look at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who faces scrutiny despite his impressive shooting percentages and scoring averages.
Jokic will undoubtedly continue to deliver standout performances, and while critics may find faults, his impact on the court speaks for itself. It's all part of being at the top of the game.