Nikola Jokic sets sights on his third MVP

What Nikola Jokic is doing in the NBA goes way beyond the extraordinary. The Serbian, after winning his first ring last season, is well on his way to achieving his third MVP - putting himself in the same company as some the game’s legendary players. The center has been in dazzling form with Nuggets, who once again dream of revalidating the ring, (with the permission of the Celtics, Bucks and the Lakers...) Jokic leads all the NBA stats ahead of other big name stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic.

That Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA today is beyond any doubt, and he is also the most complete player among the top stars. 2023 is turning out to be a memorable season individually, in which he tops the NBA ranking with 579 points, 255 rebounds, and 196 assists.

Game after game, Jokic has left impressive figures this year. For example, he has joined an exclusive club of players who have recorded a triple-double with more than 30 points and zero turnovers - doing so twice within a period of two days - vs Houston: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and 0 turnovers; vs Sacramento: 36 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists and 0 turnovers. The Joker excels on every court he passes through, his numbers prove it, having an average of 36 points per game, tied for third place with Luka Doncic.

The Serbian has become a lover of double-digit figures, accumulating eight triple-doubles since the season started, being by far the best in the NBA. His closest pursuer is Doncic himself with ‘just’ three this season... What’s more, in the 20 games he has played on the court, in 10 of them he has managed to score 30 or more points. In 18 he has averaged 10 rebounds and in nine he has given 10 assists or more. It is a given that the Nuggets Joker will be part of the All-Star game that will be held on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, the sixth of his career - consecutively.

Flopping fine

Not everything was going to be good news for the man from Sombor. On Sunday, the NBA issued a statement penalizing him with $2,000 for being a “pool player”. Against the Sacramento Kings, the Serbian fell to the floor after a push from Domantas Sabonis, which officials considered an overeaction aimed at deceiving the referees. After a subsequent investigation, the NBA has decided to sanction any ‘flopping’ action with a financial fine.