Last season became a coming-out party for Nikola Jokic as a superstar in the league. Jokic helped the Denver Nuggets secure the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. But he did so with such spectacular play that he ended up winning the NBA MVP trophy.
Jokic had been an All-Star caliber player for the last few seasons. But this season, he elevated his game even further, becoming a true superstar in the league.
In the 2019-20 NBA season, Jokic showed further signs of his impending MVP brilliance, as he led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
But this season was an incredible one for Jokic, where he truly surpassed expectations of himself. While his performance in the Playoffs was still good, it was not enough to get past a healthy Phoenix Suns team, especially without Jamal Murray in the squad.
Jokic will now be looked at in a different light in the league, with many considering him one of the best of the best, and treating him as such. That will come with increased expectations.
Given how Jokic played last season, he shouldn’t have a problem meeting or even surpassing those expectations. The Nuggets know what they have in Jokic; a stretch big who can play solid defense for his position.
Even though expectations of Jokic will be higher now, Kevin Durant acknowledged how good he is in an interview a few years ago. Speaking with CJ McCollum, KD called Jokic dangerous, because of how he played despite being a big man in the league.
“He’s dangerous… I didn’t know he had like 100 triple-doubles already. He’s close. He must be second in history for centers with triple-doubles… Shoutout to him for getting paid.”
Coming for Kevin Durant, one of the best players in the history of the NBA, these words are high praise for Jokic. And as time goes on, he will look to improve and possibly reach the level of the elite superstars in the league.
