Nikola Jokic: Still Dominating the Court
Nikola Jokic, the eight-time All-Star and three-time NBA MVP, continues to make a strong case for being the best basketball player on the planet. Despite new challengers vying for that title this season, Jokic's recent performances suggest he's not ready to hand over the crown just yet.
On the "All-NBA Podcast," analysts Adam Mares and Tim Legler discussed the rising competition from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama. Each has had an outstanding season, with Shai and Wemby currently leading in the MVP race. Yet, the debate over who reigns supreme as the greatest player has been as intense as ever, and Jokic is playing like a man determined to remind everyone, "I'm still here."
Jokic's Phenomenal Run
Adam Mares noted that Jokic has been considered the world's best for the past few years, and his recent performances underscore why. Over the last four games, Jokic has delivered four incredible triple-doubles, including two historic outings with stats never before seen in NBA history.
His streak began against the Blazers, where he notched 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists. Then came the back-to-back historic games: against the Suns, Jokic tallied 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists, followed by a jaw-dropping performance against the Mavericks with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists. Some of those stats even sparked debate due to their sheer impressiveness.
In his latest game against the Jazz, Jokic scored 33 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and handed out 12 assists, shooting an astonishing 81% from the field. The Nuggets emerged victorious in all four contests.
Potentially Jokic's Best Season Yet
It's remarkable to consider that Jokic might be having his best season ever, even as debates swirl around him. Despite the Nuggets sitting in fourth place in the West with a 47-28 record, Jokic's individual brilliance shines through. He's recorded more triple-doubles this season than in any of his MVP-winning years, and he's on the verge of surpassing his career high of 34 triple-doubles in a season, despite playing fewer games.
In March alone, Jokic has averaged 25.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 11.9 assists over 15 games, numbers he hasn't matched in any other month with as many games.
While Shai, Luka, and Wemby are undeniably impressive, Jokic is still performing at an elite level. He might not secure the MVP this year, but his play solidifies his status among the basketball greats.