transcendent • adj. • trans·cen·dent • \tran(t)- ‘sen-dənt\
1 a: exceeding usual limits : surpassing
b: extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience
2 : being beyond comprehension
3 Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic?
Is Nikola Jokic transcendent?
The answer should make itself clear, especially when viewing the definition. However, I believe the answer is more nuanced than a “yes” or a “no”.
Few players in the history of the NBA have ever been truly transcendent in all the word’s definitions. Hundreds have fit the model of “exceeding usual limits”.
Fewer meet the mold of “extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience”. Just a handful are “beyond comprehension”. Is Nikola Jokic any/all of those? And can we even make a definitive claim on the matter when he’s only played 3 seasons in the league?
You could even ask the same question about other star big men like Joel Embiid and Karl Anthony Towns. However, we will be focusing on Nikola Jokic since this is a Nuggets blog.
The answer to both of those questions is yes. There are many good and thoughtful reasons for this hot take.
Let’s take a look at why.
(Note: All stats are via Basketball-Reference unless otherwise noted.)