Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic is continuing his impressive performance in the 2020-21 season to keep himself in the mix of the ongoing MVP race. His strong production has caught everyone's attention, so much so that he has already earned the approval of a Nuggets legend in Alex English.

The eight-time All-Star claimed that Jokic is serving a similar role as LeBron James when he would carry teams on his back.

Via Sean Keeler of The Denver Post:

“I think (Jokic) has got a serious case,” English said of the Nuggets All-Star. “If they seriously look at him, the record’s been good, there’ve been times where he’s had to carry the team like LeBron (James) would’ve done, back in the day. Yeah, he’s got a legitimate shot.

“You take him out of the equation, the Nuggets are a good team. You keep in there, and they’ve got a chance to win the NBA championship.”

Certainly enough, the Nuggets have other strong pieces on their roster in the likes of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. who can also explode on any given night. However, it is Jokic who regularly produces an all-around effort for his team as a historic big man.

The Serbian center is currently averaging 26.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists through 47 games played this season. His MVP production has lifted the Nuggets to a 29-18 record for the fifth spot in the Western Conference.

Amid the tough competition for the league's top individual award, English is confident in Jokic's abilities to outplay the other names on the list, including James and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid:

“(Jokic) is the MVP,” English said. “Joel Embiid, you could say he had a good year. He’s been injured, he’s been out. I don’t think he’s had the impact on his team that Joker has with the Denver Nuggets.

“The only player that has that kind of stature, where he dictates whether his team loses or wins, is LeBron James. And he’s out, too.”

In the end, Nikola Jokic will need to play consistently for the remainder of the season if he wants to win MVP. Successfully winning it this season would definitely cement his legacy and place him in Nuggets lore.