Denver Nuggets: How Nikola Jokic can become an MVP
How Nikola Jokic Can Become an MVP for the Denver Nuggets
By Grayson Moore
Nikola Jokic Key Statistics(2017-18 Season): (Note: All statistics are courtesy of Basketball-Reference unless otherwise noted.)
Denver Nuggets
101 to 101. The score was tied. Tension was thick in the air of the Target Center, Wolves fans screaming at the top of their lungs. The Nuggets and possessed the ball with 4.4 seconds remaining and a trip to the playoffs on the line. For Denver, it represented a chance to finally end 5 years without the postseason and end the rebuild that ensued after the trade of Carmelo Anthony. For the Timberwolves, it was a chance to end a 13-year playoff drought and prove they can do something as a franchise without Kevin Garnett. It was the most important and impactful regular season game in recent memory.
Nikola Jokic fought off the grips of Taj Gibson and ran towards the byline where Paul Millsap bounced the ball into his hands. Jokic had his back to Gibson who was close enough to smell the Serbian center’s deodorant. The Joker pump-faked once, trying to get Gibson to bite, but the Timberwolves power-forward knew better. Then, as Jokic tried to put up his shot with under 3 seconds remaining, the former Bull knocked the ball out of his hands. The Timberwolves had the final possession, which led to a missed 35 footer from Jamal Crawford. Then came overtime, where the Nuggets would lose 112-106.
Where He’s At
Jokic had just watched his best opportunity to make the postseason in his career up to this point literally get knocked out of his hands. It was especially devastating for him, as he had already put up 35 points and 10 rebounds, and had carried the Nuggets through the game as he had carried them through the season. A crowning moment that resembled the season the Nuggets had just taken part in: very good, but not good enough. That sentiment could also be used to represent Nikola Jokic at this point in his career.
The 23-year-old center was drafted in the second round in 2015, and despite the fact that he made under 2 million dollars in the 2017-18 season, he was far-and-away the Nuggets best player this previous season. Leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, win shares, and value over replacement player, it’s safe to say he’s one of the best centers in the league. But the fact that he isn’t overwhelmingly the best is almost troubling.
Sure, he’s still young and has a lot to learn about the NBA, but all of the tools are there for Jokic to transform from a really good player to a once-in-a-generation talent. He’s a good finisher at the rim, a phenomenal three-point shooter(especially considering his size), a terrific rebounder, and one of the best passing big men the league has seen in its illustrious and lengthy history. However, you’ll notice one key element is missing from his game.
Defense
Of course, you don’t have to be good at defense to be a great player in the league. Just look at Russell Westbrook, Isaiah Thomas, Steve Nash, and countless others who have made All-Star teams, All-NBA teams, and sometimes even snatched up the MVP trophy. But the true all-time greats were, for the most part, all great defenders. Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon are just the names that spring to the top of my head. If Jokic wants to join the list of the greatest players to ever lace up, he’ll have to tighten up on the non-offensive side of the ball.
In the 2017-18 season, Jokic averaged 0.8 blocks per game, 1.2 steals per game, and according to NBA.com, gave up a defensive field goal percentage of 66.8% at distances of 6 feet or less. For comparison, Rudy Gobert, likely Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 2.3 blocks per game, 0.8 steals per game, and gave up a defensive field goal percentage of 47.7% at distances of 6 feet or less, according to NBA.com. Of course, Jokic doesn’t need to put up those kinds of numbers in order to be an MVP candidate, but for a team that allowed its opponents to make 47.6% of its field goals(worst in the NBA), a block or two more might go a long way.
Offense
Jokic has already proven he is a very unique player. Only five other men in NBA history have put up 18+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 6+ assists per game over the course of a season. Here’s that list of players: Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, and Wilt Chamberlain. Not a bad list to be on. However, the difference between all of those players and Jokic is quite clear when you look at the stats: all of them averaged at least 23 points-per-game and a usage rate of 26% or higher. Jokic was about 5 ppg and 2% below those two stat lines.
There is another difference between all of these players and the young Serbian star: every single one of them has won at least 1 MVP. Jokic has yet to even make an All-Star game. Notice the connection? In our world of judging a player basically based on how many points he averages and how many assists/rebounds he gets based on his position, we sometimes can overlook the bigger impact they have on the game. Jokic is one of those players that can be overlooked. But if he wants to start getting national recognition, and recognition with the guys who decide who gets the trophies, unfortunately, he’s just going to have to put the ball in the basket more.
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“Big Takeaway”
So here’s what I’ve gathered from all those stats. If Nikola Jokic improves his defense(and the Nuggets overall defense, at that) and maintains his averages from last season while upping his PPG and usage rate, he is an MVP waiting to happen. So, as a personal message from myself and Nuggets fans all around: Nikola, please shoot more. Also, get better at contesting shots if you have time.