Former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl caused a stir on social media after comparing Nikola Jokic to Michael Jordan. In one of his most recent posts on X (formerly known as Twitter), the one-time NBA Coach of the Year winner likened Jokic’s influence on the team to Michael Jordan, when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls.
“The Nuggets have been MORE reliant on Joker the past five years than the Bulls EVER were on Jordan,” Karl wrote. “Jokic is the primary rebounder, passer, playmaker, and leader every game!”
To George Karl’s point, Nikola Jokic has been doing the yeoman’s work for the Denver Nuggets this season, averaging 29.9 points, 13.4 rebounds (league-high), 10.4 assists, and 1.8 steals on 56/50/82 shooting clips in 17 games.
Nikola Jokic is also a one-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, three-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, and a four-time member of the All-NBA First Team, among others. Given what he has done for the Denver Nuggets in the past few years, he is easily considered by many as the greatest player in franchise history.
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic passed Magic Johnson on the triple-doubles list
Nikola Jokic recently recorded his 139th career triple-double after registering 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. By doing so, the 29-year-old center leapfrogged Magic Johnson in third place on the all-time triple-doubles list. He now trails only teammate Russell Westbrook (200) and Oscar Robertson (181) on the list.
“It’s something that you’re probably going to look at after you finish your career,” Jokic said via ESPN. “Right now, you don’t even think about it. But it’s a great thing. It’s really nice.”
