SUMMARY
- Nikola Jokic has been averaging 29 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 10 assists per game in the playoffs vs Lakers.
- Steph Curry and Jokic are the only players to averaging 25-5-5 on at least 60% true shooting.
Nikola Jokic subjected himself to a lot of praise from the basketball community. Over the last few years, NBA fans have been witnessing Jokic make history as one of a handful of Europeans to have ever played in the league. Last season, he pulled off an incredible playoff run and won the Denver Nuggets their first-ever title. Can he bring home the second title? Well, there’s still a second round and conference finals that he has to get past first.
However, this season has been yet another dominant one from Michael Malone and the rest of the team all thanks to Jokic. During the season, he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s been impeccable in the playoffs too, averaging 29 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 10 assists per game.
Players who average 25/5/5 on 60% ts for their playoff careers:
– Stephen Curry
– Nikola JokicTalk about ‘Playoff risers’ 🏆
(via @automaticnba) pic.twitter.com/PKotFSAihO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 28, 2024
With his current onslaught, Jokic is the only individual besides Steph Curry to average at least 25-5-5 on 60% true shooting in the playoffs through their careers. True shooting is the metric used to determine how efficient a player is at scoring the ball. Jokic averages 59.7% from the field. 38.5% from deep, and 92.6% from the charity stripe.
Nikola Jokic isn’t the only center with a high shooting efficiency
Even though the Nuggets lost Game 4 to the Los Angeles Lakers, there is still a good chance that Nikola Jokic will help them close out the series. Considering they move ahead into the second round, they might either face the Phoenix Suns or Minnesota Timberwolves. And by the looks of it, they will most likely face the Wolves as they are up 3-0 against Phoenix.
There is one individual who can pose a threat to Jokic’s antics, Rudy Gobert. This year, Gobert is making a run for his fourth Defensive Player of the Year title. Additionally, he anchors the Wolves’ defense which is the best in the league. Not only just he defend at a high rate, but he can also score at the rim just as well. Gobert has maintained a 67.2% true shooting throughout his career. Gobert is consistent at the foul line and also attacks the rim well.
Nikola Jokic’s unconventional jumper is what helps score over players at his position
Despite being criticized for his lack of defense, Nikola Jokic is still a versatile player overall. There is one aspect of his game that stands out and it is his jump shot. His approach is quite unconventional when compared to other players like Joel Embiid or Karl-Anthony Towns. Jokic has a one-legged fadeaway jumper but he shoots the ball from over his head.
Nikola Jokic : Season-high 38 points on 14-31 shooting, 4-10 from 3, 6-10 from the FT line, 11 rebounds & 4 assists in 41 minutes (Game-tying jumpshot to send the game into OT) pic.twitter.com/4B0IR5qXTH
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) January 8, 2021
His shot closely resembles the popular Dirk Nowitzki but is a bit more sluggish. However, this has helped him shoot over defenders of his position with ease averaging 55.7% from the field and 35% from the three-point arc. His jumper gave Anthony Davis problems during the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Davis is known for being one of the top defenders in the league.