The only thing Rich Paul could say when Max Kellerman told him about the latest Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray stat was "insane. That is insane." That's it. That's how impressive it is. Kellerman thinks the All-Star duo could be the GOATs of the two-man game. Heavy praise for the two-man game Nuggets fans have been witnessing for years. But this year, the duo is having quite an incredible season.
On the "Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul" podcast, Kellerman brought up a stat for Rich Paul that prompted the "insane" comment, because really, it is rather incredible what Jokic and Murray are doing together.
This season, the top assist-to-point scorer duo is Murray to Jokic. And in fourth place, the duo is Jokic to Murray. Kellerman called it a "once in a generation" stat. "That might be the best two-man game, ever," exclaimed an excited Kellerman.
Greatness in the two-man game was on display in San Antonio
The Nuggets duo had an incredible game in the 20-point comeback win in San Antonio against the Spurs. Murray scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 39 points and 7 assists.
His partner in crime for a decade, the Joker, had one of his signature games, scoring 31 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and dishing 12 assists. His 10th career 30/20/10 game.
Paul and Kellerman pointed out that it's a rare combination that Jokic can pass so well for a center and score so well. Whereas for Murray, not many point guards who can distribute as he does can also score as well as Murray does. The duo compares favorably to the all-time great combos.
Jokic and Murray have been amazing together
Since 1996-97, only two pairs have been better than Jokic and Murray. Only Draymond Green to Steph Curry, and Tony Parker to Tim Duncan have had more assists to point scorer than Murray to Jokic.
And we're so lucky as Nuggets fans to have gotten to witness this run. It's rare in today's NBA to have a pair of players play at such a high level together for so long.
And they're both only getting better. Murray's averaging a career high in both points and assists. Murray's a full four points better this season, a large jump from 21.4 to 25.7 pts per game, and he's full assist better at 7.1 per game.
Jokic's not averaging a career high in points or rebounds, but his 10.4 assists are the best of his career, and he's having his best season in nearly every advanced metric, too. It's his most efficient season to date, and there's no reason for Nuggets fans to think this ride will slow down any time soon.