By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Durant had only the best to say Nikola Jokic’ all-around talent during CJ McCollum’s “Pull Up” podcast.
Jokic was characterized as “dangerous” by Durant who proceeded to laud the Nuggets big for his versatility and the rate he produces triple-doubles.
“Jokis is… he’s dangerous… he has close to 100 triple doubles already,” Durant said when the discussion with McCollum shifted to what kind of players they like.
“He might be 2nd in history of centers in triple doubles I seen. He had a lot last year. Shout out to him getting paid,” Durant added on Jokic, while also commenting on the fact that the 23-year -old-center signed a maximum extension contract with the Nuggets this summer.
CJ McCollum agreed with Durant. “Crazy vision,” he added on Jokic’s passing skills.
Durant probably exaggerated a bit regarding the total numbers of Jokic’s triple-doubles (16 overall so far) but his praise for the Serbian center makes complete sense. Jokic finished the previous season with 10 triple-doubles in 70 games, the most by a Nuggets player since Fat Lever’s nine in 1987-1988. He was by far the center with the most games with double digits in three statistic categories and only Ben Simmons (12), Lebron James (18) and triple-double guru Russell Westbrook (25) surpassed him in the overall triple-double list.
In February, Jokic registered the fastest triple-double in NBA history. Denver’s Serbian center made it happen with two minutes remaining in the first half during a win vs. the Milwaukee Bucks and in just 14 minutes of playing time. He finished that match with 30 points, 15 rebounds plus a career-high 17 assists.