Last season, Nikola Jokic solidified himself as one of the top 10 centers in NBA history. He effectively eradicated the “regular season MVP” narrative that latched onto him the past couple of years, leading the Denver Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history. Although Jokic's legacy is no longer in question, he can still pad it with a stellar 2023-24 campaign.
Every time the bar has been raised, the Serbian seems to elevate his own game to new, improbable levels. He is the unselfish superstar Denver needs, free of drama and ego. But Jokic is still extremely driven. Believe it or not, there are still solo accolades that he been unable to attain to this point of his career.
I expect that will change this year, however. With opening tip-off upon us, it is time to make some last-minute prognostications. We're going to do our best to get you ready with some bold predictions for Nikola Jokic in the 2023-24 NBA season, as he hopes to keep the Nuggets squarely on top of the basketball world.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Nikola Jokic will finish top 3 in assists for second-straight season
The Denver big man's passing prowess has been well-documented since the early stages of his career, but he took it up a couple notches last year. Jokic averaged a personal best 9.8 assists, finishing only behind Jams Harden and Trae Young and was second in total assists. He brilliantly conducted a beautiful offensive orchestra that saw the Nuggets consistently overpower and confuse defenses.
Considering that he had never averaged more than 8.3 in a year before 2022-23, I am going to refrain from penciling him in for a repeat showing this season. But the 28-year-old will remain unquestionably one of the best playmakers in the NBA and again finish in the top three in dimes.
While there are superb point guard passers everywhere you look, Jokic is just too skilled and locked-in to be denied. His legend will grow, as he continues to shatter preconceived notions people might have about centers.
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic will win rebounding crown for first time in career
The five-time All-Star has taken second place in rebounds per game for the last two years (led league in total boards in 2021-22), but this is his time to finally grab the title. Although last year's winner, Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis, figures to be stiff competition again, an increase in offensive boards should lift Jokic to No. 1.
Denver paced the NBA in field goal percentage (50.4), which thankfully left Joker with less opportunities to clean up mistakes. There is no evidence to indicate that the Nuggets will fall out of the West's upper tier, but losing 48-percent shooter Bruce Brown Jr. is bound to cause some hitches in the offense. At least initially.
That means Jokic will be forced to do some additional dirty work inside. His 2.4 offensive rebounds per game should settle closer towards his career average of 2.6, and maybe beyond. Every little bit counts. Of course, Sabonis is far from being the only threat to snatch this accolade, but past leaders like Rudy Gobert and Clint Capela will be capped by their situations and frontcourt mates.
Accomplishments like contending for the league lead in assists and outright winning the rebounding crown might seem frivolous when recounting his incredible 2022-23 season. Though, that is just because we are being spoiled by this anomaly. Nikola Jokic will earn himself an even better seat in the pantheon of all-time NBA greats after he and the Denver Nuggets conclude what should be another excellent year.
Follow Us
Subscribe