Nikola Jokic didn’t get the same attention as other rookies last year. But the sophomore center is already showing he can be a franchise cornerstone for the Denver Nuggets.
When you think of a foreign, defensive center that’s deceptively quick, gifted as a passer, can score from inside or outside, you probably think of Marc Gasol. The thing is there’s another center that fits this profile, Nikola Jokic.
The Denver Nuggets center had an impressive rookie campaign last year. His per 36 stat-line of 16.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1 block per game was staggering.
He didn’t start at center at the beginning of the year, but it became apparent early on that they were simply better with him. Through two games this season, Jokic is already playing 10 minutes more per game and seems poised to make his name known.
The NBA truly seems to be going through a renaissance when it comes to the center position. Skilled 5s appeared to almost be a thing of the past. But with the 2015 rookie class, we have Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Jahlil Okafor and Nikola Jokic.
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While Towns looks like a superstar, Jokic very well may be the second-best player in his draft class.
The comparisons to Marc Gasol are nearly inescapable when you watch him play. Like Gasol, the Nuggets can use Jokic as an offensive hub in the high post.
His jumper pulls a defender away from the rim, his speed means you have to respect his drive, and his vision as a passer enables him to create for others. Defenses are forced to at least respect him from behind the arc, as a 33 percent career three-point shooter.
His agile feet and refined footwork also mean you need to bring a double team when he’s posting up.
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On Saturday night, Jokic had his first monster game of the season. He tallied 23 points, 17 rebounds, four steals and two assists in the overtime loss to Portland. While his team wasn’t able to hold onto the lead, he had supplied them with big play after big play down the stretch.
The Nuggets will give him every opportunity to make an impact this season. The team has a lot of young talent, but also several veterans that know how to get it done. That creates an exciting environment that will help him develop the right way.
The team is buying into what coach Mike Malone is selling, with even Kenneth Faried accepting a bench role and playing hard on defense. With a talented roster and Jokic getting legitimate minutes, this team may exceed expectations.
The future of the NBA appears to be to have skilled players at every position. Teams no longer have rosters filled with specialists with designated roles. The new talent that has come into the league has enabled new levels of versatility on both ends of the floor.
Jokic being able to switch onto wings, read double teams on offense, put the ball on the floor, and create for himself and others is something people never thought possible for players his size. It’s easier to get skill players at all five positions by going small.
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It’s another thing to be able to play that style while still playing with size. That’s what Jokic brings to the table for Denver. While the team may not have a superstar, they have a player they can build around in him.