It's no secret that Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is a tremendous passer. So much so, that there have been more than a few folks out there that have made the claim that he is the best passing big man of all time. As it turns out, Jokic does actually have a claim to this title, and he has the numbers to back it up.
Jokic is currently on pace to set the record for the highest assists average for a big man in the history of the NBA (h/t ESPN Stats & Info):
Nikola Jokic is now averaging 8.5 assists this season, the 2nd-most in a season by a center in NBA history.
He is barely behind Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 8.6 assists in 1967-68. pic.twitter.com/aa2wW2gy43
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 29, 2021
Jokic has always been regarded as one of the best passers in the league — not just among centers — but right now, this statistical fact proves that he is actually putting up some historic numbers.
For what it's worth, Jokic's 8.5 assists per game ranks fifth in the entire league. James Harden leads the way with 11.2 dimes per contest, with Russell Westbrook, Trae Young, and Luka Doncic also all ahead of Jokic on the list. In case you didn't notice, all these guys are point guards. To put Jokic's staggering numbers into even more perspective, the Nuggets big man is averaging more assists right now than Chris Paul, LeBron James (last season's assist champ), and Damian Lillard, to name a few.
And it's not all about passing for Jokic, too. He is currently putting up 26.9 points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. His 11.1 rebounds per contest is eighth in the NBA.
Once you look at his numbers, it becomes abundantly clear why Jokic has emerged as one of the frontrunners to this season's MVP crown.
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