Coach Karl’s Corner: Nikola Jokic has taken his game to a new level
Jan 7, 2021, 9:14 AM | Updated: Jan 20, 2021, 11:08 am
In a shaky start to their season, the Nuggets have had one big bright spot. Clearly, that’s been Nikola Jokic.
Jokic looks like an absolute superstar at this point. He is playing like one of the top-five players in the league now.
What’s so great about Jokic now is the consistency with which he’s playing. He has four triple-doubles in seven games, averaging 24.1 points, 11.9 assists and 11.7 rebounds per game. That’s incredible.
Plus, he’s involving his teammates in incredible ways. Everything runs through Jokic.
Jokic took a big step forward in his career during the past year. He continued that progress in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. It looks like the pace of progress is only continuing at this point.
That means he’s the centerpiece of the organization. That changes everything.
Going forward, the Nuggets need to evaluate all other pieces through one lens – can they help to magnify Jokic or not? If they magnify, great. If they don’t and they create confusion or negative energy, they are not helpful.
Jamal Murray is a yes. That was evident in the bubble, when he and Jokic developed a great chemistry. They became the Nuggets one-two punch en route to the Western Conference Finals.
Who else can fit that bill?
Michael Porter Jr. will need to be watched closely in that sense over the coming weeks. Can he be a complimentary player, one who works with Jokic? Or is he someone who needs to be “the guy,” rather than a supporting role. That will be a key to the Nuggets reaching their potential.
Nikola Jokic is a top-five player in the NBA. Now, it’s about putting the right pieces around him.
