1. The Best Jokic We’ve Ever Seen
It’s hard to believe a two-time, back-to-back MVP could get any better, but that’s exactly what the 27-year-old Serbian is doing. He is averaging 25.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game, and is doing it on a ridiculous 61.9% field goal percentage. His points and rebounds are currently slightly lower than his two MVP years (although, they’re likely to go up) but it is his passing that has made him so much better.
Jokic is the type of guy who could score 40 every night but he’s not wired that way. He is actively looking to share the ball with his teammates and legitimately takes pride in it. He can beat you with either hand and every arm angle imaginable to the point where all you can really do is tip your cap when he’s on.
His passing leads to so many open looks to the point where Denver is second in the league in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and assists. If you watch Denver play you can see exactly why. Jokic’s vision allows for some of the easiest looks in the world.
Unlike other superstars, he doesn’t need to constantly have the ball in his hands and doesn’t have to expend as much energy. His usage rate is only 28.6% this season which is huge for his durability and showcases trust in his teammates to run the show. For reference, Luka Doncic (another MVP candidate) has a usage rate in the high 30s and bears a heavy burden every night. If he isn’t on, his team loses.
If Jokic is off, he can still affect the game in a variety of ways and his team will hardly miss a beat. That isn’t a dig at Doncic. He is having an incredible season in his own right and doesn’t have the help that Jokic has, but the records speak for themselves.