By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is taking giant steps to yet another historic season, and after a brilliant performance in a 122-113 Denver Nuggets win over New Orleans Pelicans, he now averages a triple-double per game.
He recorded 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists to improve his average numbers to 25,1 points, 11,1 rebounds, and 10 assists per game on 70,4% True Shooting.
To realize the magnitude of his performances this season better, true shooting percentage is the shooting percentage adjusted for three-pointers and free throws and measures a player’s efficiency at shooting the ball. True shooting percentage equals half the points scored divided by the sum of the field goals attempted and 0.475 times the free throws attempted. Everything over 60% is considered an elite-level TS percentage.
So far, the only players who got a triple-double season were Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (four times).
The Serbian player led Denver Nuggets to another victory, as they improved to 16-0 when he grabbed a triple-double. With eight triple-doubles in a month, he joined Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, and Wilt Chamberlain as only the fourth player in history to achieve it.
“He’s just so consistent. Every night he’s just doing it so easily; no matter what they send at him, double team, single coverage, he keeps hooping and finding his guy. He’s just amazing. What he does every night is pretty incredible,” Jamal Murray said of his teammate after the win over the Pelicans.
He’s not just pumping numbers, as his team has the second-best record in the NBA and is leading the Western Conference with a 35-16 score. Is the third MVP in a row in place for the Joker? Feat only Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell achieved.
“He’s a two-time MVP for a reason. The range of shots that he has in his bag is ridiculous. When you can’t hold your ground guarding a post/up, it makes it really tough to guard a guy like that. Hats off to him. He did what he does,” Larry Nance said after the loss against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.