Denver Nuggets: Why Nikola Jokic deserves another MVP
By Okelo Pena
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic is carrying this short-handed squad
It is no secret that the Nuggets have battled a hard season without their two key contributors in Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. Additionally, with the injuries they have dealt with, Nikola Jokic had to carry the team.
Despite being heavily short-handed, he kept the Denver Nuggets in playoff contention all season long.
No other Nugget on the roster has averaged over 20-points-per-game this season and Jokic had to carry a huge burden on offense.
His explosive offensive showings earned him Western Conference Player of the Month in January and March/April. One of the more memorable performances was against the Los Angeles Clippers on 19 Jan. 2022 with 49 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime win.
What makes it even note-worthy in carrying the team is the ability to put his teammates in positions to win the game and create space on the floor. His ability when the game is on the line to make a play to his teammates compared to taking the final shot in his own hands has been a highlight of his game that players and coaches have come to see in the strength of his game.
Against the odds where the team was pressured, Jokic made diamonds.
Despite coming up short in winning the Northwest Division from the Utah Jazz and getting to move up to the fifth seed against the Dallas Mavericks, Jokic still answered the bell in a tough season and kept them in games even against loaded teams like the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat this season.
If there is one thing you can say about the Nuggets when Jokic is playing is they have a shot to compete and give teams a run for their money. Even without Murray and Porter Jr. for the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, win or lose, the Nuggets aren’t pushovers with number 15 on the floor.