The Denver Nuggets are going through a tough patch of form as they prepare for a playoff push in an unfamiliar territory. Michael Malone’s departure from a team he helped transform into one of the league’s perennial Finals contenders caused quite a stir in NBA circles.
Any other team in the league would have immediately had their chances for a championship dashed if their head coach was fired at such a critical time of the season. However, the one thing Denver has over the rest of the league is Nikola Jokic’s existence in the roster.
The Serbian big man has been the best NBA player for a couple of years now, and it wouldn’t be strange to see him add another MVP award to his trophy cabinet this season. The Nuggets would have no business being in their position if not for the Joker.
As if to add another impressive notch to his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, Jokic is set to finish the season with an incredible statistical feat that only his current teammate and one other NBA legend have done.
Nikola Jokic to end his 10th year with the Denver Nuggets, averaging a triple-double
The Nuggets had a great game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, Jokic was at the center of the 109-117 beatdown of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies. Aside from Michael Porter Jr., everyone on the Nuggets’ starting lineup averaged double digits in points.
However, Jokic stood out statistically with his performance. He finished the game with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists to finish the season averaging a triple-double. Regardless of his performance in the regular-season finale against the second-seed Houston Rockets, it would be impossible for his current season averages of 29.8 PPG, 12.8 RPG, and 10.3 APG to sink below double digits.
Jokic’s regular-season performance is remarkable because he’s only the third player in the league’s 77 years to have such averages. The other two to reach such numbers are Oscar Robertson with the Milwaukee Bucks and Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It would be understandable if some fans are underwhelmed with the achievement. Moreover, it would also make sense if others are surprised Jokic hasn’t had a triple-double season with the way he’s been playing. Jokic has been so dominant the past couple of years that it would be understandable for some fans to expect triple-doubles from him night after night.
Not only does this achievement make Nikola Jokic’s MVP argument against SGA better, but it also warns the rest of the league: Jokic is primed to make a splash in the playoffs, and everyone in the West should prepare for his onslaught.
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