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It’s been nearly 10 years since Jokić was named the full-time starter in Denver. Every December 15th, since 2016, the particularly online corners of Nuggets fandom celebrate the day things changed in the Mile High City. We call it Jokmas, and Jokić himself cares deeply for the unofficial holiday. Just ask him about it.
The holiday means nothing to Jokić, which you can file under predictable. It was just another day, including just another game, which featured just another triple-double. He is a working man, and to him, his latest masterpiece was just another day at the office.
On Monday night, with the Houston Rockets in town, the Denver Nuggets played on December 15th for the fifth time since 2016. Jokić dropped his best performance yet on that calendar date, putting up a 39-point triple-double in an overtime win.
It was an electric showdown between two hopeful contenders, and fans in Ball Arena and their living rooms enjoyed a tremendous showcase of NBA talent. Jamal Murray and Kevin Durant put on a shotmaking clinic. Meanwhile, Jokić and Alperen Sengun were locked in a big man duel that, if shown to someone 30 years ago, might induce delirium.
“The NBA, it’s in such a good place right now,” David Adelman said at the podium. “The skillset in some of these guys is outrageous. The way they can shoot it, pass it, handle it.”
Jokić can shoot, pass, and handle it with the best of them. He dominates almost every aspect of basketball, and his monster second half played a crucial role in snapping a 4-game losing streak in Ball Arena.
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Jokić scored 25 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime period. He scored seven of his eight field goals from the middle of the floor — from straight-away threes, to floaters, putbacks, and headstrong drives through the teeth of the defense.
Houston didn’t have an answer for him. Even when they had him jammed up, he found a way. Jokić hit his second Sombor Shuffle in as many games, this one coming in a tightly contested fourth quarter.
The Rockets can put various combinations of height, strength, athleticism, and defensive prowess on the floor. Jokić worked in the paint when he could, but you can’t live there against the Rockets. He needed to mix in his three-point shot, which he’s currently shooting with confidence.
Long considered a theoretical shooter from outside, Jokić actualized that reputation last season when he shot nearly 42% on career-high volume. And he’s taking it even further in the new campaign.
Jokić is attempting 5.1 threes per game right now, and he’s shooting 43% on those looks. With that shot in his arsenal, and a more serious supporting cast, he’s become veritably unguardable.
Against the Rockets, Jokić shot nine threes, making five of them. Three of those makes came in the second half, including two clutch buckets in the fourth quarter. He eventually fouled out in the overtime period, but the remaining Nuggets, led by Murray, who scored 35, crossed the finish line without him.
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The Nuggets, 19-6, are off to the best start in their NBA history. They’re proud owners of the league’s best offense, and they currently hold sole possession of second place in the Western Conference. They’ve so far not just survived, but kept up an impressive pace without Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
We can list all the factors in their success, but two stand out as the most obvious explanations. The first is that Murray’s never played better in the regular season, and the Nuggets look like they have two stars on the floor. The second is that the best player alive looks better than ever, and through Jokić, all things seem possible.
We’re nearly halfway through a new decade in the NBA, and in the last five years, no one has scored more, assisted more, rebounded more, stolen the ball more, and, most importantly, won more games than Jokić.
The Nuggets turned to the towering Serbian nine years ago in search of a new direction. They’ve been on the greatest ride in team history since. When Adelman heard the explanation for Jokmas, he found no need for the holiday. He’s had a front row seat to Jokić’s ascension to an all-time great. He practices gratitude daily.
“I feel like every day is that,” Adelman said of the unofficial holiday. “We’re lucky to have him on this day, and tomorrow, and however many days he decides to stay here in Denver, Colorado.”
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