4. Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
Something is off about Nikola Jokic and his play this season. His numbers are down across the board and his effort has significantly waned. Pre-draft fears that he would float through games and struggle to stay in shape are starting to float back into the picture.
Why Jokic is still ranked fourth on this list is that his resume over the past 12 months is exceptional. That starts with a dominant regular season from the Denver Nuggets in 2018-19, when the Nuggets finished with 54 wins.
Jokic was one of last season’s breakout stars, averaging 21.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game from Jan. 1 through the end of the regular season.
Jokic then elevated his play even further in the postseason, silencing doubters who thought his lack of lateral quickness would make him a turnstile defensively against playoff competition. Instead he averaged 25.1 points, 13 rebounds and 8.4 assists in leading the Nuggets to the very brink of a Western Conference Finals berth.
Only Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry amassed more win shares in the playoffs and both of those players reached the NBA Finals.
This season Jokic has struggled, but his team is still rolling forward as one of the best in the league. What has been unique is that while he and the team as a whole have been mediocre offensively, they have the league’s fourth-best defensive rating this season. Whatever is going on with Jokic he is still a part of his team elevating on defense.
If Jokic continues his middling play then he will slide down this list. For now, his strong play last season and in the postseason set him high enough that an inconsistent start to the 2019-20 season have not knocked him far down the mountain.