The Denver Nuggets will be in a round that their franchise has never made to before, the NBA Finals, after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Nikola Jokic was awarded Western Conference Finals MVP for averaging 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists during the series. Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone wanted fans and media to finally start giving Jokic the recognition that he deserves.
“The MVPs are real. All the narratives are silly. He’s averaging a triple-double. Do you see any stat padding out there? Give him his damn respect.”
Malone on Jokic: “The MVP’s are real. All the narratives are silly. He’s averaging a triple-double. Do you see any stat padding out there? Give him his damn respect.”
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) May 23, 2023
Jokic’s dominance in this year’s playoffs has not been seen from a center since Shaquille O’Neal in the early-2000s, further adding to the mystique of this run. Elite NBA big men can lead their team to the title and we have one more round to watch before we know whether Jokic can complete this championship dream.
Nikola Jokic Solidifying Himself As The Best Player In The World
With all the major contenders for best player in the world having disappointing ends to their seasons, Jokic can take the crown uncontested unless Jimmy Butler has other plans in the NBA Finals. The Heat still need to eliminate the Celtics, but their 3-0 lead and the coach admitting he’s lost his locker room will be a tough cross to bear for Boston.
Joel Embiid disappeared in the playoffs, Kevin Durant lost to Jokic, LeBron James lost to Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo lost to an eighth seed and Jayson Tatum is about to get swept by that same eighth seed. Luka Doncic didn’t even make the playoffs, so it’s pretty clear that only one player in the NBA has been able to carry a terrific regular season into an even better postseason, and that is Nikola Jokic.
He has averaged 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists through this entire playoff run.
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