Having coached Nikola Jokic since last season with the Denver Nuggets, Mike Malone has seen first hand how much improvement the young center had in his game. From putting up decent numbers a year ago, the 22-year-old Serbian international has raised his level of play higher as he has now emerged as one of the best young bigs in the league and a favorite to win the Most Improved Player award.
The fourth-year NBA coach recently discussed, via Nick Kosmider of The Denver Post, what he thinks of the development in Jokic's production this season and even made a worthy description to it, based on the nickname given to him — “The Joker.”
“The numbers that Nikola Jokic are putting up are just a joke.”
“In the first 25 games of the year, that’s not who we were. Once we made the lineup change on Dec. 15 (which moved Jokic into the starting center role), his numbers from that point on are second to none — for anybody. I think Nikola has firmly entrenched himself as one of the best players in the NBA. He’d be more than deserving to win the most improved player award.”
Jokic definitely has a huge chance to win the award as he is having a career year with averages of 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He has also recorded six triple-doubles this season, which goes to show how complete his game is.
With the regular season down to its last few games, the voting panel for the individual honors are already starting to complete their lists as they will soon cast their votes for who they think deserves them more. After seeing the stellar play of Jokic this year, it won't be surprising if he actually ends up winning the prestigious award.
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