NBA: Ranking the top 5 West players at the quarter mark of the season

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NBA Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NBA West player rankings, No.1: Nikola Jokic

Not only has Nikola Jokic been the best player in the Western Conference thus far, but he’s also been the best player in the NBA.

Statistically, there isn’t much of an argument against the Joker. He’s first in six different statistical categories. (field goals, 2 point field goals, Player Efficiency Rating, Win Shares, Plus/Minus, and Value over replacement player).

Nikola is 11th overall in points (26.8), fifth overall in assists (8.6), and sixth overall in rebounds (11.8) per game. He’s averaging these crazy offensive numbers without a ton of athleticism and playing at his own pace. He is an incredibly skilled and smart player that has the ability to do literally everything. He can pass, he can score in a variety of ways, and he’s never not involved offensively.

As far as Jokic’s impact on the Nuggets season, he’s got them at the fourth seed in the West right behind LeBron and the Lakers. The entire Nuggets offense runs through him, he’s got the ball in his hands as much as any other high usage rate player and he manages to not force anything.

Next. NBA: Ranking the top 5 East players at the quarter mark of the season. dark

Which I’m sure is the most vital part of why the Nuggets score the most points per game in the Western Conference (116.6). Look for more of the same from Jokic and the Nuggets as the season goes on. If Nikola keeps up the production I believe we see a deep playoff run and an MVP trophy in his grasp.

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