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Denver Nuggets’ 2016-’17 Team Awards Midway Through the Season

By Kyle Standfield

Jan 16, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8), Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15), and Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) celebrate during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8), Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15), and Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) celebrate during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball over Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball over Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Who’s been the Nuggets’ MVP?

Team MVP: Nikola Jokic

Runner Up: Wilson Chandler

What more is there to say about Nikola Jokic that hasn’t been said already over the previous month?

The second year player is averaging 23.2 pts, 11.0 rbs, 4.7 asts in January while shooting a blistering 60% from the field and 42% from deep. Since being inserted into the starting line up by head coach Michael Malone, the Nuggets are 8-7 and find themselves in the 8th seed.

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    • If we look beyond just basic stats, what Jokic is doing becomes even more impressive.

    His current season PER of 25.1 is good for 13th in the entire league, above that of players like Steph Curry, Kevin Love and John Wall, while also being just .7 behind LeBron James.

    His true shooting percentage of 65% is good for 5th in the league, while his offensive rating of 129.1 is surpassed by absolutely nobody. He is the league leader. Numero Uno.

    While all the statistics in the world prove that Nikola Jokic is a special player, all you really have to do to see that he is a rare talent is simply watch him play.

    His ability to make intelligent and seemingly impossible passes is his best asset. This talent has been the catalyst for the current offensive explosion the Nuggets are seeing as it has encouraged a lavish amount of movement off the ball as well as inspiring other players to pass the ball like Nikola.

    This is the definition of an MVP to me. A player who elevates the game of those around him, while leading the way for his team.

    Jokic has also displayed the softest of touches around the rim, kissing shots off the glass while also employing some beautiful floaters below the free throw line.

    Truly, it has been a privilege to watch Nikola play basketball as of late.

    Wilson Chandler finishes runner-up for the teams MVP award thanks to a stellar first couple of months of the season. His play early on kept the Nuggets afloat and one could certainly argue that Chandler has been the best player on the team for a longer period of time than Jokic this season. However, I just can’t go passed the incredible play of Nikola for this award.

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