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Nuggets vs. Bucks: Takeaways

By Michael Longhofer

MILWUAKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 15: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Phelps/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWUAKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 15: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Phelps/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWUAKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 15: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Phelps/NBAE via Getty Images) Getty ID: 918808046
MILWUAKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 15: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Phelps/NBAE via Getty Images) Getty ID: 918808046 /

Nikola Jokic put up 30, 15 and 17 against stiff competition from Milwaukee’s star.

We are told often that this is a surge, that Nikola can not keep performing at this level, can not sustain 50% shooting, has been figured out.  The National media takes a cautious approach to Jokic, preferring to heap their superlatives on Kristaps Porzingis.  If you compare the two, Nikola is statistically better in every category, save 3pt%.  Even that is deceptive, Nikola had a mid-season dip in his shooting but was 3-3 from deep last night and has shown the consistency that we have come to expect.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

It’s more than statistics, though.  The wrap-around, behind-the-back, baseline dime to Juancho (who Nikola jokingly proclaimed the one Nugget he does not like) was absurd.  That he saw the lane was improbable, that he put “English” on the ball to pop in right into the Spaniard’s hands was inexplicable.  It’s a vision few share and has earned him favorable comparisons to Vlade Divac and Magic Johnson.

Still, it’s more than vision.  Nikola can run the break, off of rebounds, he can post up, he can run things from the top of the key.  There’s no aspect of the offense he is not proficient at.  His teammates are perfectly attuned to him.  He knows how he’s needed in different situations and he tailors his game to maximize his impact on the Nuggets performance.

He’s not athletic like Giannis or KAT or Boogie, he’s athletic like, well, Nikola.  He famously never dunks (okay, not never but rarely) but he can.  He’s not considered a rim protector but still can block shots when challenged.  He can’t jump a lick but he’s deceptively long and his footwork is great.  He bangs with anyone in the paint and he can run out to contest 3’s.

He is the heart of this Nuggets team and as much potential as we see in his Core mates, they have a ways to go to eclipse the big man’s contributions to this roster.

Nikola is a matchup problem for nearly every team in the NBA.  We’ve yet to see anyone effectively shut him down and it’s looking more and more like that may not be possible.

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