Just when the national media had started to open the debate for who is the best player in the world, and they began to hand that crown over to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic went out and provided a stat line worthy of Wilt and the Big O. Jokic interrupted the conversation, and he may have sparked himself a run that could reclaim that world's best title for a little longer.
"The Zach Lowe Show" featured Lowe and Rob Mahoney as the latest pair to discuss who they thought was the world's best player, a title long bestowed upon Jokic. Lowe, a "Jokic true believer," said he's recently questioned himself about whether Shai has passed Jokic as the best player. He pivots to Mahoney, who is "leaning toward Shai," when Lowe interrupts him.
"Also, 31, 20, and 13 tonight, in San Antonio," Lowe interrupted, providing Jokic's stats in the stunning come-from-behind win against the Spurs.
Wilt, Jokic, Big O, then everyone else
Jokic's stat line was just another in an endless run of stat lines that continues to put his name alongside the all-time greats. 31 points, 20 rebounds, 13 assists later, and he's done it again.
Only Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain, with 16, has more such games in NBA history. The Big O, Oscar Robertson, is third with seven. And over the last 50 years, it's Jokic with 10 and everybody else with six.
The Joker's still playing elite basketball. This is the second such 30/20/10 game he's had since he returned to the lineup after missing 16 games due to a knee injury.
And I think everyone's forgotten about his 56/16/15 game against the Timberwolves in the nightcap on Christmas Day.
His performance against the Spurs also helped propel the Nuggets to a stunning 20-point comeback win, earning them a notch in the clutch department in the process.
Clutch woes and turnovers cast a shadow that Jokic can erase
Yes, Jokic did have a few games with nine turnovers, and the Nuggets did lose a couple of those games directly from points off those turnovers. But he's been playing through a wrist injury that isn't bad enough to land him on the injury report, and those are the only flaws you can find.
The Nuggets are just 17-17 now in close games thanks to the thrilling win in San Antonio. Had the ball bounced differently or had Jamal Murray sunk some free throws, the Nuggets would be a few games better, and the debate probably wouldn't be raging like it is.
Shai's done everything he can to wrestle the title of world's best player from Jokic, but the Joker's not letting go. He can close the door and hold it shut a little longer if the Nuggets win the championship. And for Nuggets fans, he'll always be the best.