Reggie Jackson – A+ Nikola Jokić never made the trip to Los Angeles, so a different Denver Nugget channeled his inner Wilt Chamberlain instead. Reggie Jackson became the first player since Wilt to post 35+ points, 13+ assists, and 5+ rebounds on 78%+ FG. He only turned it over twice. Jackson finished a game-high +25 in a nine-point win without…

“There is no place like home.” -Dorothy Gale Nikola Jokić – A+ Nikola Jokić has seen it all before. All except Victor Wembanyama denying passes. The 2x MVP and the Nuggets faithful got their first look at the generational prospect Sunday night, and the timing was exceptional. Denver was sliding after a disaster on the road. They needed a get-right…

Nikola Jokić – C- Nikola Jokić is tired of the non-calls. After a career-best streak of stomaching the whistle and focusing on team success, Jokić finally relented, turning his attention to Tony Brothers and the crew in Cleveland. Jokić was called for some light fouls early, forcing him to sit. A lack of calls on the other end compounded his…

Nikola Jokić – A+ Nikola Jokić became the first player to post 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 18 assists in a single game. He typically feasts on the Pelicans, and this time, his playmaking popped. He orchestrated numerous looks at the rim, practically handing points to Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Reggie Jackson. Much of the game was simple with…

Nikola Jokić – A- When Jokić struggles from the field, we worry about his wrist. I wish I could be more specific. It’s a lingering issue described as soreness, inflammation, and a sprain at different times on injury reports. Jokić is fuzzy on the details. When asked on record, he’s been unable to pinpoint precisely what’s wrong or to what…

Nikola Jokić – A+ Alperen Şengün seems to love playing against Nikola Jokić. That’s not to say he dominates the matchup or something about the matchup allows him to thrive. It’s out of reverence. And there’s something enjoyable about watching him compete with a player he idolizes. Jokić doesn’t seem to care — he was ruthless in Houston. Sengun played…

“Is it snowing tomorrow? I’m hoping one more pool day.” Nikola Jokić Nikola Jokić – A- Jokić could not get that three-pointer to drop. And he would not let it go. On seemingly tired legs and without his pick-and-roll partner in Jamal Murray, Jokić hoisted six threes in the first half. Only the sixth attempt found the bottom of the…

“Winning is fun, and losing sucks.” Nikola Jokić Nikola Jokić – A+ Jokić presents many versions of himself to the media and the public. Goofy, aloof—whatever he’s cared to reflect at various points in his career. His life. It’s all more intentional than he lets on. It makes it hard to write his story, a concept, and a practice he…

Nikola Jokić – B We’ve never seen Nikola Jokić don a leather jacket before a game. We may never see it again after the disaster it preceded. Jokić was aggressive in Denver’s first loss of the season. He quickly recognized what wouldn’t happen for the Nuggets and tried to manifest a win through sheer will. But the Wolves are well-built…

Nikola Jokić – A+ Jokić recorded another triple-double in the win, limiting himself to just two turnovers. It was clean dominance — Jokić shot 75% from the floor as he went to the hook shot against Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz. Kessler played a great game, challenging Jokić on the glass and the other end of the floor. But…

Nikola Jokić – A+ Nikola Jokić is a player with a long list of positive qualities. His otherwordly touch, perhaps unprecedented IQ, and penchant for clutch-time magic are near the top. It’s such a long list that it’s easy to overlook his most obvious advantage — Jokić is massive. That’s probably where the list starts for young Chet Holmgren, who…

Nikola Jokić – C After a brief roar of fury on ring night, Jokić is settling back into his October hibernation. He sleepwalked through Game 2 in Memphis. We grade Jokić against himself, not the rest. He did post 22-12-7 with a clutch three and a jaw-dropping highlight to boot: https://x.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1718078561209495655?s=20 But Jokić posted nine turnovers against a decimated Memphis…

Nugglife is not dead after all. It’s reborn. Your Denver Nuggets are finally champions. Those in Ball Arena knew before the result. Denver Nuggets fans could feel it before the game tipped off. They just had to wait a while to celebrate. Why not? They’ve waited their entire lives for this moment. The Denver Nuggets finally won an NBA championship…

The best team in the league is one win away from writing their names in the history books Nikola Jokić – A- Jokić turned in another outstanding performance on defense. Long misunderstood as a liability; he’s showcasing improvement and the utility he always provided on that side of the ball. He’s as intelligent as any player on the floor, his…

With all eyes on Denver for the first time, the Nuggets delivered in Game One of the NBA Finals. Here’s the report card after a successful debut on the big stage Nikola Jokić – A+ Nikola Jokić made history in his long-awaited Finals debut. Jokić joined Jason Kidd as the second player to record a triple-double in his first NBA…