For the past five years and the first half of this season, Nikola Jokic reigned supreme as the holder of the World's Best Basketball Player title. The fake crown was bestowed on the three-time MVP for his otherworldly talents on the court. But in the Nuggets' 4-2 first-round playoff collapse to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic was slowed by Ruby Gobert and company. Jokic's not only off to race horses in Serbia early, but he's probably also lost his claim to the facetious crown as well.
Jokic was more than a little off against the Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert frustrated him offensively, and the Timberwolves exposed Jokic for just how bad of a rim protector and paint deterrent he is.
Game 6's clincher saw the Wolves score 64 points in the paint, and Game 3's clunker saw 68 points in the paint. Jokic had no answer for the drives by Ayo Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels, but that was hardly entirely his fault. The guards and wings did a terrible job of slowing down the Wolves' momentum on their way to the rim. But still, the world's best can't be so deficient on one side of the ball.
Jokic was slowed one-on-one by Gobert
Jokic had a heck of a time with Gobert, despite averaging a near triple-double for the series. It was hardly the Jokic we've all become accustomed to. Jokic averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in six games. But he shot just 44.6% overall, and he was a liability from beyond the arc. Jokic was just 7-36 for 19.4% from three.
Those shooting numbers are down from 57% overall and 38% from three during the regular season. The Gobert effect on Jokic was clearly noticeable, and the Best Basketball Player in the World should not be slowed so easily.
Game 3's clunker saw Joker shoot just 7-26 from the floor, and he only tallied 3 assists. It was Gobert's finest hour defending Jokic. Once the Wolves realized they could go man-to-man with Gobert on Jokic, the series flipped, and despite being extremely shorthanded, the Timberwolves never looked back.
The world's best can't have a first-round exit like this
The World's Best Basketball Player needs to be playing in May, not getting ready for some horse racing with his buddies. Jokic gave it his all, and it's a shame the season ended so early, but it's a reality.
The Nuggets had to at least come back and win in seven to keep Jokic out of this debate, and they just couldn't. Sadly, individual numbers will only get Jokic so far in the debates of the greats. He'll be considered one, but not one of the greats at the upper echelon, without a second title.
It's a surreal feeling today. The Nuggets are out in May, and Jokic is probably only a top-3 basketball player in the world now. What a change from about two weeks ago, after Game 1's win.
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