Following a 46-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic on Sunday, former Nuggets coach George Karl made a public declaration about where he ranks among the best Denver basketball players ever.
According to Karl, the Joker is at the top, surpassing greats like Dikembe Mutombo, David Thompson, Alex English, and Carmelo Anthony.
There have been some Nuggets greats- Bobby Jones, David Thompson, Alex English, Mutombo, Melo.
Jokic is the best.
There have been some Nuggets greats- Bobby Jones, David Thompson, Alex English, Mutombo, Melo.
Jokic is the best.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 7, 2022
After being drafted 11th in the second round of the 2014 Draft, Jokic rose to stardom within four active seasons, making his first All-Star team in 2019.
He went on to become the NBA’s MVP during the 2020-21 campaign, forever marking his place in basketball history.
This season, the 4x All-Star is staying on that same level. Through 57 games, he’s averaging 25.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game on 57% shooting.
I’m so grateful for the way he plays because it represents the best of the human spirit in terms of inclusion, in terms of opportunity, team, sacrifice, discipline,” Bill Walton said. “He’s just really, really great. He is brilliant. The imagination, he is a creative genius, and he sees things that other people don’t see,” Walton said. “His sense of timing and skill and position and balance and all the things that I love in life, he just represents it.”
Without Jamal Murray, Denver has had some trouble staying above the play-in line this season. Like so many other teams throughout history, injuries have ravaged their season.
Over the last few weeks, Jokic has almost single-handedly pulled the Nuggets to a state of contention. At 8-2 over their last 10 games, the team is 6th in the West with a 38-26 record overall.
