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NBA: 10 Biggest Disappointments So Far In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dunks the ball during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 120-104. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Nikola Jokic

Coming off a remarkable first season in which he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, Nikola Jokic quickly overtook Emmanuel Mudiay as the likely cornerstone of the Denver Nuggets. So far in 2016-17, however, he’s teetered on the edge of the dreaded sophomore slump.

After averaging 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a rookie, Jokic’s numbers have dropped to 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, despite his playing time actually increasing from 21.7 minutes per game to 22.7 per game.

Jokic has mostly played out of position as a 4 alongside Jusuf Nurkic, and with Nurkic playing so well, Jokic asked head coach Michael Malone to come off the bench behind Kenneth Faried. His field goal percentage has dropped (51.2 percent as a rookie to 47.5 percent this year), as has his three-point percentage (33.3 percent to 20 percent).

This 21-year-old was a diamond in the rough last season, and it’s far too soon to say we jumped the gun on his future, let alone that he’s heading for a sophomore slump. But even if the Nuggets are trying to boost Faried’s trade value, it’s been a fairly underwhelming start for Jokic.