3 reasons Denver Nuggets will make the 2019 NBA Playoffs

#1: Nikola Jokic makes his final leap

Registering at No. 18 on the Sports Illustrated Top 100 players of 2019, Jokic has already engrained his name in the allure of several NBA pundits.

Many of those same pundits have agreed that despite his all-around presence already, there is another level for the Serbian big man to reach.

Jokic gave fans and analysts alike a look at his increased level last year in the month of April when he averaged 25.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. In that same month, he also accrued 7.7 assists per game, signaling triple-double level averages on the horizon.

The biggest growth for Jokic last year was in the form of 3-point shooting as he increased his attempts from 1.9 to 3.7 per game, accompanied by a 39.6-percent efficiency.

Yet to reach his 24th birthday, Jokic still has room to grow under Coach Mike Malone.

That growth, though beginning prior to his arrival, was an overarching reason for the Nugget’s pursuit of Millsap.

"“He’s such a humble guy, that sometimes he looks for me to do things. And it’s him. He’s our team,” Millsap said to Gina Mizell. “He makes a lot of things go for us…I’m here to help him and back him in any way possible.”"

That influence from the NBA veteran was seen in that final month when Jokic flashed MVP-caliber production.

On top of the outputs Millsap will provide, his influence on Jokic to take control and be more aggressive will have NBA viewers in awe of not only his playmaking ability but his scoring prowess from anywhere on the court.

A step up from Jokic from under-the-radar superstar down low to perennial MVP-candidate will have the Nuggets in the postseason with a legitimate chance to host for much of the postseason.