Denver Nuggets: Three reasons why Nikola Jokic is an All-Star

Nikola Jokic reigns supreme as the NBA’s best passing big

Regardless of the much-documented lagging start to the season, Nikola Jokic’s influence on the league as an elite-level passer demands respect. In a league dominated by guards and wings, the Denver Nuggets franchise player blends in as point-center.

Most centers in the three-point-emphasis era don’t appear as the cornerstone player. However, true to his exceptional game, Jokic stands out as a premier option for a top-10 offense. Most of which is thanks to his elite playmaking abilities.

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Nikola Jokic weathered the storm through a difficult stretch. Furthermore, the stats don’t indicate he lost a step in regards to running the offense. According to NBA.com/stats leaderboards, filtering players with at least 26 games played, Jokic ranks 12th in the NBA in assist percentage.

Jokic, to no one’s surprise, appears as the first center on the list. No other center can keep up with the responsibility of finishing and creating. Aside from the fact he is the best player on his team at the five-spot, the Nuggets 23-9 record speaks volumes of  Jokic’s importance in Denver.

Karl-Anthony Towns, a similar player in regards to usage rating, leads a non-playoff team. This comparison goes to show the difference in player impact between the two centers. Imagine Jokic in the All-Star game throwing an alley-oop to LeBron James.

Typically, centers don’t get significant burn in the All-Star game. However, Jokic shines as the exception to the rule, per usual.