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NBA: 5 Role Players Exceeding Expectations

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Prior to the 2014 NBA Draft, it’s safe to say that Nikola Jokic wasn’t exactly a household name. At the time, the 19-year-old was playing in the Adriatic League, polishing his skills in hopes of landing in the NBA. His hopes became reality as the Nuggets drafted him in the second round with the 41st overall pick.

At the time, Denver seemed to be making a pick to save some salary since they expected Jokic to stay in Serbia instead of coming right into the NBA. But after an impressive 2014-15 season for KK Mega, in which Jokic was named the league MVP, there was a sense that his NBA career would come around sooner than expected.

Now, the 6’10” 21-year-old is playing valuable minutes for a young Nuggets squad and taking advantage of it. Jokic is averaging 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds (fourth among rookies), while currently ranking second among rookies with a PER of 22. Jokic has also tallied 10 double-doubles on the year, which ranks fourth among rookies.

Being 6’10” and from Europe, good footwork is expected, but perhaps one of the most impressive things about Jokic’s game has been his ability to adjust to the NBA three-point line. He is shooing 38 percent on the year and is a viable pick-and-pop option working with Emmanuel Mudiay. Running the floor also hasn’t been an issue for Jokic.

His full arsenal of skill was on display during the performance of his young career when he posted career-highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds in a win against the Toronto Raptors.

The Nuggets aren’t going to have postseason lives this year with a 23-37 record, but the young core that is being established has plenty of potential to become a respectable team in the West.

Next: Hoping to stay on Pace