In a league full of talented NBA players, each and every one of them have a label. Some are labeled as superstars, some just All-Stars, some of them often called overrated, and some of them underrated. That’s why I want to talk about Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, because to me at least, he’s the most underrated player we have in this game. Now some may argue for Damian Lillard because of all of his previous All-Star snub seasons and that’s fine, I understand that. But I think Jokic is at least deserving of an argument to label him as the most underrated player we have.
Jokic was drafted as the 11th pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft, meaning there were 40 others ahead of him! He comes from his home country Serbia and I’ve had my eye on him ever since he was drafted. I remember his rookie season when the Nuggets were playing the Knicks a couple of times, and Jokic had some very nice games. That was when I started really following him. He’s put up a (rounded) line of 14/9/4 in his brief three-year career so far with a 61 TS%, but this season’s been his best yet. The 6’10”, 250-pounder is averaging 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, while shooting an efficiency line of 49.3 FG%, 36.3 3P%, and 85.0 FT% (58.7 TS%). So he’s extremely efficient while he’s doing it all. Not to mention, he keeps his turnovers limited, unlike a lot of other passing big men.
He’s living up to the point-center name, which is the “thing” in this next generation. He’s very much like a DeMarcus Cousins and that’s high praise. High praise but low recognition. Jokic hasn’t nearly been spoke about like a Cousins, and he’s yet to be named an All-Star or collect any significant awards except for being named to 2016’s All-Rookie team. With his size and skill, Jokic should at least be mentioned up there with the elite big men. I don’t hear his name at all around the internet, from other fans, or even in the media when I’m watching TV. Playing in a mid-market city like Denver doesn’t help the fact either. If Jokic were in one of the larger markets like a New York City (please, we’ll give ya Noah) or LA (I’d actually like to see that), then I think it’d help give him the full recognition he deserves.
Note, there are some deficiencies to his game. Yes he’s a flashy passer, yes he can even shoot, and yes he’s a strong post threat that rebounds, but his defense has been terrible. Players get around him easily off the pick & roll because he’s slow to move. Yet I don’t think all of that should take the attention away from how talented a player he is. After all, Jokic has played in the majority of the Nuggets games this season, where they are a sixth best 32-26 in a loaded Western Conference. It’s been Jokic doing the bulk of the work with dominating consistency.
I think he’s the top all around offensive center in the league behind Boogie. I really do – at least until others do what he can on the offensive end. And Jokic has been doing all of this at the ages of 20, 21, and 22 (he’s 23 tomorrow). Impressive. Even more impressive, the other night Jokic recorded the fastest triple-double in NBA history. He totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists by the 14:33 mark and by the end of the night, he supported a line of 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 17 assists. It was the 11th of his career. This guy’s legit and it’s time you all start to notice him. And one more thing for the defensive critics: James Harden is the leading MVP candidate this season. Tell me again that Jokic isn’t elite because of defense..
PHOTO: ISAIAH J. DOWNING/USA TODAY SPORTS @ https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/2/16/17019548/nikola-jokic-nuggets-nba-playoffs-gmib
It's My Opinion 