Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons this team is for real

2. A historical advantage

Denver has a luxury no other team in NBA history has had since the days of Wilt Chamberlain. The Nuggets are the only team capable of running their offense through a seven-foot center who is not only the primary scorer, but playmaker too. Through Jokic, Denver’s offense should continue to thrive come playoff time considering the inflated minutes stars play in the postseason.

Jokic has shown brilliance passing from the high-post, low-post, and top of the key in the Nuggets’ offense. They in turn have shown full-trust in Jokic’s playmaking abilities. Denver ranks fourth in elbow touch field goal percentage at 60.6 percent (per NBA.com), credited mostly to Jokic as he leads the NBA in high post touches per game (7.0).

Watch how the Brooklyn Nets leave the paint wide open for a cutting Jokic to barrel down and make the nice extra pass for an easy lay-in. If defenders don’t make an effort to cut off him off, there’ll be easy buckets all night long for Denver.

He’s also given us generational highlights with full-court passes at the flick of the wrist, as well as being able to orchestrate pick-and-rolls from the center position.

Jokic is on pace to own the most assists per game by a seven-footer in NBA history, and it’s clear to see why.