Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has never been a serious MVP contender before, but head coach Michael Malone believes that needs to change. Strapped with the best record in the West and the right system and pieces to take his game to the next level, Malone can't say enough about his centerpiece star.
“I think Nikola is showing everybody in the NBA, with three starters out, that he is a Most Valuable Player candidate,” said Malone after his Nuggets picked up a 126-118 win over the Dallas Mavericks, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “Not just from a stats standpoint, but he does it every single night in so many different ways. That’s why he’s a special player.”
Jokic was asked for his take on Malone's comments after dropping a game-high 32 points and 16 rebounds, but he was his usual nonchalant-self in his response.
“Naw. That's an individual thing,” Jokic said when asked about potentially winning the award, per Harrison Wind of BSN Denver. “What happens, happens, I can not affect it, so….”
The Nuggets are currently in one of their toughest stretches of the season, yet they have rattled off wins against the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors and Mavericks, putting together a four-game win streak without valuable starters like Gary Harris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap.
Jokic isn't often mentioned in the MVP talks, but securing a top spot in the West at the end of the season will leave people with no choice but to take notice at who is the player beyond that success.
Follow Us
Subscribe