In the modern era of the NBA, we often find ourselves captivated by high-flying dunks, flashy handles, and logo threes. Yet, quietly and methodically, a 7-foot center from Serbia is dismantling the very fabric of professional basketball. Nikola Jokic, affectionately known as “The Joker,” isn’t just having a good season; he is currently authoring a statistical masterpiece that draws legitimate comparisons to the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. As the Denver Nuggets sit comfortably at 19-6, it has become abundantly clear that the league still has zero answers for the reigning Finals MVP.
The sheer efficiency Jokic is displaying is nothing short of “video game numbers.” Over a recent five-game stretch, he shot an astronomical 77% from the field. This isn’t a center simply camping under the rim for dunks; this is a three-level scoring clinic. Whether it’s a soft touch around the rim, a mid-range floater, or a step-back three-pointer that looks like it belongs to a guard, Jokic is scoring nearly 30 points a night on 61/43/84 shooting splits. When a player of his size is finishing 79% of his shots within three feet and still hitting 42% from beyond the arc, the defense is essentially left to pick its poison, and every option is fatal.
However, to focus only on Jokic’s scoring is to miss the true genius of his game. His playmaking remains the most destructive force in the NBA. He currently leads the league in assists, but the box score fails to capture the “gravity” he exerts on the court. Every time Jokic touches the ball, defenses collapse in fear, leaving teammates like Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray wide open for easy cuts and dunks. He processes the game faster than the defense can reset, often firing passes the moment the ball hits his hands. This “pre-loaded offense” turns every possession into a nightmare for opposing coaches, as Jokic manipulates ten players on the floor like a grandmaster playing speed chess.
A prime example of this dominance occurred during the Nuggets’ recent victory over the Houston Rockets—the second-best defensive team in the league. Despite Houston’s best efforts to pressure him at the perimeter, Jokic calmly dissected their schemes, finishing with a staggering 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Even when he seemed “off” early in the game, he found ways to punish the Rockets, eventually taking over in the second half with ridiculous one-legged fadeaways and clutch threes. It was a clear statement to the rest of the league: even the elite defenses are just another puzzle for the Joker to solve.
What makes Denver’s current 19-6 record even more terrifying for the rest of the NBA is that they are doing this short-handed. The Nuggets have been playing without defensive anchors Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. With Gordon on the floor, Denver boasts an elite defensive rating of 106.6; without him, that number balloons to 120.6. The fact that Denver remains near the top of the Western Conference while missing two of their best defenders suggests that we haven’t even seen the Nuggets’ final form. Once this roster hits full health and integrates new pieces like Cam Johnson, their ceiling could be higher than their 2023 championship run.
Furthermore, the “Jamal Murray problem” seems to have been solved. In previous years, Murray’s regular-season consistency was often questioned. This year, however, he is playing like a bona fide All-Star, averaging nearly 25 points and 7 assists on elite efficiency. The two-man game between Jokic and Murray remains the most unguardable action in basketball, and with Murray providing sustained pressure night after night, the burden on Jokic has become more manageable.
Perhaps most importantly for Denver’s long-term prospects, the “non-Jokic minutes” are no longer a disaster. For years, the Nuggets would bleed points whenever their star center went to the bench. Last season, they were outscored by nearly 10 points per 100 possessions without him. This year, that margin has shrunk significantly to a manageable minus 3.5. In a league where games are often won or lost on the margins of the bench rotation, this improvement alone significantly raises Denver’s floor as a contender.
As the season progresses, the conversation is shifting from “who is the best player?” to “is anyone even close?” Nikola Jokic is currently operating at a level of mastery that transcends traditional scouting reports. He doesn’t rely on explosive athleticism or overwhelming speed; he relies on an unparalleled understanding of the game’s geometry and a soft touch that seems gifted from the gods of basketball.
The Denver Nuggets are stacking wins, getting healthy, and following the lead of a man who is quite literally breaking the NBA. For the other 29 teams in the league, the message is clear: the Joker is in full control, and the deck is heavily stacked in Denver’s favor. Whether it’s through a pinpoint cross-court pass or a demoralizing fadeaway, Nikola Jokic is going to find a way to win. And right now, nobody has the answer to stop him.
