THE JOKIC FILE
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Center
Height: 6-11
Weight: 284
Scoring Average: 27.2 points
College: None
Draft: Second round, 41st pick, 2014
Contract: Signed a 5-year $264 million extension, 2022
WAG: Natalija Mačešić, wife
Children: One daughter
Record/Accomplishments:
2x NBA MVP, 2021, 2022
5x NBA All-Star, 2019-2023
NBA All-Rookie First Team
For the longest time European players struggled to fine acceptance in the NBA. It’s taking even longer for some of them to receive the respect they deserve.
For example, take Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. The Serbian big is poised to win a third straight NBA MVP award. Only Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell have accomplished that feat. Yet Jokic was left off the NBA’s list of the top 75 players over the last 75 years.
That could change is Jokic can lead the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title. The Nuggets have flirted with the coveted title since Jokic burst on the scene. He wasn’t picked until the 41st selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. His career averages, 20.3 points on 55.3-percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists rank among the best in league history.
If there’s a parade in Denver, Jokic might make the NBA’s top 100 players in 100 years.