Denver Nuggets: 4 reasons for optimism in the face of disaster

Denver Nuggets reason for optimism #4: Jokic is the ideal superstar for this situation

Last but certainly not least in our list of reasons for Denver Nuggets optimism is the reigning and defending NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Call him the Joker, call him the Big Honey, call him the Serbian Unicorn, whatever he is to you, he’s everything and more to the Nuggets. I don’t want to exaggerate too much, but he’s like the LeBron James to Denver’s 2018 Cavaliers.

Jokic is to the Nuggets what Michael Scott was to The Office or what Simon Cowell was to American Idol: without him, it just won’t work.

We’ve seen what happens not only on offense but on defense with Jokic out the last three games, which were all losses where they gave up 114-plus points. You believe us yet that the Big Honey has flipped the switch like Drake on that defensive end? And don’t forget he can do foolishness like this all night long as well, so we know Nuggets fans will never be bored:

The type of unicorn he happens to be is why he should be a source of great optimism moving forward during this tough time: he’s the farthest thing from a selfish superstar you’ve ever seen.

He has been finding his own shot more often this season, as his assists numbers are down slightly, but can you blame him? He’s still an excellent distributor with a mind that works to find ways to keep his teammates happy and energized. He’s like an enormous Serbian Steve Nash in that way.

He seems to have a sixth sense to know when which player needs the ball to stay focused and happy and in the game, which is of the utmost importance right now: Jokic and Malone need to squeeze everything they can out of this supporting cast like an old tube of toothpaste until (or if) the cavalry returns later this season.

They’re going to ride Jokic until the wheels do or don’t fall off (hopefully they don’t, please god don’t let them fall off) and there isn’t another player in the league I’d rather have to lead that charge.