Nikola Jokic is coming off another MVP-worthy season, but can he get even better next year? Also, DNVR Nuggets discusses if Jamal Murray can start fast next regular season and who has been putting in the most work this summer.
Is there any way for Nikola Jokic to improve next season?
Adam Mares: The tangible improvements are hard to envision. He can’t really become a meaningfully better scorer, or passer, or playmaker. He’s not going to transform himself athletically. Jokic is already at the peak of what we can imagine for basketball skill. But he can play with more confidence and less pressure now that he’s won a championship. He can demonstrate better leadership as he continues to mature and get comfortable as the face of the team. He can help expedite the development of the young players on the roster, like Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Zeke Nnaji. Those things are important and difficult to quantify from the outside but they are all things that many of the greatest team-sport athletes do once they’ve perfected their individual craft.
Harrison Wind: Yes, there always is. Even when we think Nikola Jokic has reached close to his peak (which is kind of what we’ve thought after each of these last few seasons) he continues to build and raise his game. Regular season defense is the big area of improvement that comes to mind. If there is one, that’s probably the single reason why he didn’t win MVP last season. That being said, Jokic knows what his best approach is. He knows he can’t play playoff-level defense throughout an entire regular season. And he’s right for having that approach, but maybe we see a bit of improvement there throughout the 82-game slate.
Brendan Vogt: Jokić’s approach is stamped. There’s a ring on it. He doesn’t have to change for anyone, but he might still eradicate his seemingly grumpy spells on the floor. There’s perhaps a version of Jokić that’s even more consistent and emotionally mature than the one that’s already led his organization to the promised land. The opening month doesn’t have to be a visit to the dentist.
Is this the year when Jamal Murray finally sheds his ‘slow starter’ label?
Mares: This might be the most fascinating question heading into the season. Slow starts have been a hallmark of Jamal Murray’s career. But Murray is entering his prime. He’s fully healthy and coming off of a playoff run that has given him a taste of superstardom. Murray has long been left off of the best guards in the league discussions. His performance on the biggest stage has vaulted him into the conversation but with the caveat that he needs to prove it in the regular season. I think this is the year Murray tries to make a name for himself as an individual and that involves hitting the ground running.
Wind: I think so. He’s been in the gym in Denver for most of the summer, and with him bypassing playing for Canada this summer at the World Cup we know where his focus lies. It’s on starting the season strong. He’s healthy and even after a long playoff run should be rested and ready to go for opening night. Without Bruce Brown, there’s immediately going to be more scoring responsibility on Murray’s shoulders when it comes to the second unit (which I’d guess he plays with again). This is the year where we no longer call him a ‘slow starter.’
Vogt: My first thought is of his decision not to play for Team Canada. That was a deep run; it was Murray’s return season from injury, and there might have been diminishing returns on pushing himself any further. Only he can say whether playing more competitive basketball would have aided or anchored his start to the season. Still, I wonder if he had a different picture in mind for the opening months when he prioritized the rest. We’re all excited by the notion of a determined Murray.
A lot of Nuggets players have been in the gym together in Denver this summer. Who’s your pick for summer MVP?
Mares: Summer MVP wasn’t in the gym. He was in Sombor, Serbia visiting the two-time MVP. Aaron Gordon has been on a perfect Mr. Nugget run since partying in the street the night of the championship. He’s easily my summer MVP.
Wind: Reggie Jackson is going to be the guy who gets a ton of praise heading into training camp for the work he put in this summer. That’s the narrative that I predict will be set, and it could be warranted. I’m going to be the Reggie Jackson guy here at DNVR. I just have a feeling that’s the way it’s headed. And I’m fairly confident he’s going to be a much better player next season than he was at the tail end of last year. A full summer in Denver, with Nuggets coaches and teammates, will put him on a good track heading into the season.
Vogt: I want to offer variety, but Mares is correct. Gordon’s thriving in his role as the steward of good vibes. We couldn’t have hand-written a better assignment than the one he took on this summer. Special shoutout to MPJ for appearing in summer workout videos with new hair, a new beard, and new tattoos while getting buckets in pants. Essential ingredients to offseason heroism.
