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Denver Nuggets: A look at Nikola Jokic’s advanced analytics

By Mathew Huff

DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center on April 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center on April 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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By now, every Denver Nuggets fan knows what a blessing Nikola Jokic has become. However, a look at his advanced analytics shows just how dominant he has gotten in just his third year.

The Denver Nuggets’, Nikola Jokic, has already solidified himself as the cornerstone of the future for the franchise. That is, if they can find a way to lock him down long term in the near future, but that is a different story for another day.

Jokic has put him himself with elite company when it comes to the legends of National Basketball Association. When it comes to triple doubles, he is already on pace to eventually catch up with the late and great, Wilt Chamberlain.

However, his advanced analytics may actually show he is underrated which is a scary thought for the rest of the league. Per basketball reference, Jokic averaged a value above replacement of 5.6. Not to mention, he also possessed a box plus/minus of 7.1 along with an average of 7.8 when it comes to offensive win shares.

Jokic’s offensive prowess also translated into his shooting. This season, Jokic averaged a true shooting percentage of 60.3% and also averaged a three point percentage of 39.6% per 36 minutes. Extremely efficient numbers for a young player who has not even hit his ceiling as of yet.

Playing alongside a healthy Paul Millsap next season should help increase many of these totals. He will have formed a better and more familiar chemistry with the four time All Star and will have one more season of experience under his belt. Jokic is something the league has not seen ever before.

Jokic is not very athletic, yet he still stuffs the stat sheet.

For the Denver Nuggets’ fan base, they need to stop lingering over Donovan Mitchell, Jusuf Nurkic and Rudy Gobert.

Next: Nugg Love's top 10 defenders in history

They need to start realizing 29 other teams would have loved to land Nikola Jokic.

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