Nikola Jokic’s Top 5 MVP moments: Games, plays, and quotes that defined unforgettable Nuggets season – The Denver Post

Top moments from MVP season

Nikola Jokic took an unlikely path to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. Here is a look back at five moments that defined his season.

Assist machine. The Nuggets struggled to start the season at 1-4 but Jokic foreshadowed his MVP season in the team’s third game. On Dec. 28 vs. Houston, Jokic dished out a career-high 18 assists. He dimed teammates in every way imaginable — from drop no-lookers into the post to crosscourt completions to the guards. Jokic averaged the sixth-most assists in the NBA during the regular season (8.3), which was ahead of All-Star point guards Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry.

Funny guy. Jokic and LeBron James had established themselves as early MVP frontrunners in February when the Joker was asked about similarities between them. Jokic, with total deadpan humor, said: “Oh yeah. The speed is there. We are the same athletic-wise … I don’t know, can he jump as high as me actually? But we are kind of similar in the quickness. He’s a little bit older, so, I don’t know. Can he keep up?” Jokic finally laughed and gave James his due respect. But most jokes contain a hint of truth. James and the Lakers got bounced in the first round. Jokic is MVP and still in pursuit of an NBA title. Who’s laughing now?

Mile High loyalty. Look around the NBA and you’ll find most title contenders these days are “super teams” with high-profile free agents linking up (Clippers, Lakers, Nets, etc.). In March, reporters asked Jokic about this trend and how it plays into his own desire to win a championship. His response was music to the ears of Nuggets fans everywhere. “My personal opinion is I’d rather win it with the Nuggets than … win it with any other team,” Jokic said. The Nuggets added starting wing Aaron Gordon from Orlando at the trade deadline. While not a superstar splash, it is evidence Denver is becoming a destination franchise — all because of Jokic.

Carry the team. Jamal Murray fell to the court with a torn ACL on April 12, after which national NBA analysts all but dismissed the Nuggets. Apparently, Jokic didn’t get the memo. Denver finished the regular season 13-5 without Murray and improved its playoff seeding. Jokic dominated over that stretch. His signature MVP moment arrived April 19 against Memphis in which Jokic dropped 47 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. He drained a 3-pointer with 42 seconds remaining in double-overtime that sealed a dramatic Nuggets victory. Teammate Will Barton shared a conversation with Jokic after the game. Barton said: “That’s MVP (stuff). That’s why you’re the MVP of the league.”

Two-way center. The biggest knock on Jokic early in his NBA career was a perceived lack of conditioning and consistent effort on defense. That all changed in 2019 when Jokic took his training to another level and shed around 25 pounds. It culminated in his development into a true two-way center this season. On April 28, he recorded a game-sealing block of New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson with 2.2 seconds left. The Nuggets won 114-112 and teammate Michael Porter Jr. explained what makes Jokic a talented defender.  “He’s not the fastest, most athletic guy, but he’s (mastering) how to use his brain and be in the right spot, to give himself the best chance of getting those steals and deflections.”

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