The RUMORS of Nikola Jokić’s demise have been greatly exaggerated
Have we really seen the last of “Apex Joker”—or did the conversation move too fast? On The Drive, Zach Bye and Phillip Lindsay react to Bill Simmons’ assessment of Nikola Jokic and a dominant performance that challenges the idea that Denver’s centerpiece is already past his best.
After an uneven opening stretch raised legitimate concerns, Jokic delivered a 32-point triple-double with 10 rebounds and 11 assists. The guys discuss his remarkable efficiency and why a night like this is a reminder to be cautious about drawing sweeping conclusions just six games into a season.
They also marvel at Jokic’s ability to pile up triple-doubles before the fourth quarter, highlighting a statistic discussed in the clip: his three-quarter triple-doubles alone would put him among the top 10 on the all-time triple-double list.
One brilliant game doesn’t settle every question about the season ahead. But Zach and Phil make the case that declaring Jokic’s peak finished may have been premature—and that his greatness remains something worth appreciating in the moment.
Nuggets fans, what does this performance tell you about Jokic—and how much weight should anyone put on his slow start? Share your take in the comments, like the video and subscribe for more Denver sports coverage from The Drive with Zach Bye and Phillip Lindsay.
