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Nikola Jokic becomes the Nuggets’ first All-Star since 2011

By Kevin Oestreicher

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets have been waiting for an All-Star since the Carmelo Anthony era. They finally got one on Thursday evening, as Nikola Jokic got the nod as a reserve.

If Nikola Jokic didn’t get an All-Star game bid this year, Nuggets fans all around the world would call for the NBA to re-evaluate the voting process.

The seven-foot Serbian big man has become one of the best centers in the league this season, averaging 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game on 50.6% shooting from the floor through 50 games. He has also improved drastically on defense, averaging 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.

Luckily for him and Nuggets fans everywhere, Jokic earned his place among the best players in the NBA,

securing his first ever All-Star game selection.

He has been the heart and soul of the most improved team in the NBA. Denver runs their offense through him, and his insane passing ability and court vision allows him to create open shots for the other players on the team.

Jokic should have arguably been an All-Star last year, but this year he has become even more dominant, turning into a nightly triple-double threat. Currently on the season he has eight triple doubles and is showing no signs of slowing down in that regard. He could very well have upwards of 15 triple doubles by the time the season ends and the playoffs begin.

The selection of Jokic signals the first time that the Nuggets have had an All-Star since the 2010-2011 season, when Carmelo Anthony represented the Nuggets after averaging 25.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game before being traded to the New York Knicks a few weeks after the All-Star festivities.

Ever since Anthony was traded, Nuggets faithful haven’t been able to see one of their own be voted into the big game. Jamal Murray made an appearance in the Skills Competition last year while Jokic participated in the competition in 2017. Will Barton participated in the dunk contest in 2016 and Kenneth Faried did the same in 2013. They’ve also had a few players in the rising stars game, including Jokic, Murray, and Emmanuel Mudiay.

While having players participate in these smaller events is fun to watch, it’s nothing like having a player from your team playing on the main stage. Seeing a player from your favorite team run up and down the floor with the best players in the league is an experience like no other. Being able to watch Jokic paired up with talents like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more is tantalizing to think about.

We have to wait and see which team drafts him (either James or Antetokounmpo), but either way, Jokic will have the opportunity to show his skills on a national stage while sharing the court with some of the best basketball players in the world.

Congratulations to Nikola Jokic on this important milestone!

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