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Denver Nuggets: The Joker Named to 2018-19 All-NBA First Team

By Michael Mannen

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was selected ahead of Joel Embiid for the 2018-19 NBA All-First Team.

Revolutionary Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic was selected to the  2018-19 All-NBA First Team.

Joker finished just ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers Embiid. Last year, Anthony Davis was selected to the 2017-18 All-NBA First team.

Jokic is the first Serbian-American to ever be selected to the All-NBA first team. He is also the just second Nuggets player in history to ever be selected to the All-NBA first team. The only other Nugget to ever receive such an honor is the legendary David Thompson.

Jokic is also the first Nugget player in 41 years to be named to All-NBA firs team. This is the ultimate recognition for the Joker. And a true validation for the Nuggets.

The Joker had an historical year for centers. Joker is a revolutionizing the center position and is the first true point-center in the history of basketball.

Per 36 minutes of playing time, Jokic averaged 23.1 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 8.3 RPG. Jokic is also an incredibly good shooter. And in the playoffs he shot 39.3% from three-point range and shot 84.6% from the free-throw line.

Jokic has showed remarkable improvements on the floor. Over the past three seasons, the Joker he has 61% True Shooting%. Even more impressive, he has had 36.5% Assist% this season.

Like Embiid, Jokic is a solid defender and he has a Defensive Rating of 106.8. More importantly, Jokic had a +/- of 6.0 this season. Joker was critical for the Denver Nuggets winning.  Jokic had an impressive PER(per player efficiency rating) of 26.38 this season.

Most importantly, Jokic led the Nuggets to their most successful seasons in years.

There has only been 1 season in the history of the Nuggets NBA franchise where they have won more than 54 games during the the regular.  This year the Nuggets had the 2nd best record the Western Conference and were top 10 in offensive and defensive ratings.

Jokic being selected to the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team is a huge moral victory for the Nuggets. It signifies that the Nuggets are back as contenders in the Western Conference. There are plenty of Nugget fans that feel Jokic was cheated out of being named as an MVP Finalist.

The Joker is definitely loved by Nugget fans and is well deserving of being selected to the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team.

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