File picture of Nikola Jokic.© X (Twitter)
Champions in 2023, the Denver Nuggets have been detached for the previous 18 months. After cruising by the common season final 12 months, they could not make all of it the best way to the NBA Finals. However franchise cornerstone Nikola Jokic barrelled his option to a 3rd MVP title all on his lonesome. Although the Nuggets have struggled firstly of the 24-25 season, Jokic is presumably having his finest 12 months but.
What’s so mind-boggling in regards to the massive Serbian’s marketing campaign this 12 months, is the truth that the Nuggets have one in every of thinnest squads by way of depth. And squad depth was one in every of their main strengths simply 12 months in the past. And just because a lot of the burden, not simply offensively, however defensively as properly, falls on Jokic’s shoulders, his numbers have taken an astronomical leap. The Joker is averaging a 30-point triple double over the course of the ten video games he has performed this season. However the statistic that makes his season stand out over every part is the truth that the Nuggets have the very best offensive ranking in NBA historical past when Jok is on the courtroom, and the bottom offensive ranking in NBA historical past when Jok is off it.
There has solely ever been one unanimous MVP season and that was Stephen Curry in 2016. The Warriors had been the best common season crew in NBA historical past that 12 months, whereas Curry averaged a clean 30-a-night taking pictures 45% from deep. However Jokic this season, may not be enjoying for the 73-9 Dubs however a struggling Nuggets lineup that utterly transforms when the 29-year-old Serbian performs. Though the Joker’s taking pictures splits are certain to drop over the course of the 12 months, it’s nonetheless fairly astounding that he’s making 56% of his threes whereas averaging 29.7 factors, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists. And these numbers look even scarier, whenever you have in mind, Shaquille O’Neal’s highest PPG season was in 99-00 averaging 29.7 factors. Tim Duncan’s highest RPG season was in 02-03 averaging 12.9 boards a sport and Chris Paul’s highest APG season was in 07-08 averaging 11.6 assists. In the meantime Nikola Jokic has all of them beat in a single season, all on his lonesome.
Absolutely grounds for a Unanimous MVP season proper?
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