Nikola Jokić’s dominance in the NBA almost doesn’t make sense when you first watch him. He doesn’t look like the fastest nor most athletic player on the court, but he somehow controls everything.
As the star for the Denver Nuggets, the 6 ’11, 284-pound center can score from anywhere, whether it’s backing someone down in the post or hitting a three-pointer. Last season, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. He became the first center ever and only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double throughout a whole season.
Currently, this season, he is having one of the most efficient seasons of all time offensively. He is arguably on the best run of all time, averaging 28.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game over the last three seasons, shooting 58%. His current prime is unmatched and is putting up better numbers offensively than LeBron James and Michael Jordan at their best.
What really makes him different, though, is his passing. He throws no-look passes and full-court outlets like he’s a point guard, not a 7-footer.
“He plays like Magic Johnson,” said Teigan Kornick ‘28. “The way he involves his teammates reminds me of Magic’s passing.”
Defenses can’t just double-team him because he’ll instantly find the open teammate, and he usually shoots over 55% from the field, which shows how efficient he is. His passing makes his teammates better, and he is one of the smartest basketball players in the NBA. He always makes the right play and will never make a bad read.
“Jokić is the most well-rounded player in the entire NBA,” said Whitman Moore ‘28.
Jokić has also proven that his dominance isn’t just about stats, even though his numbers are crazy almost every night. He consistently puts up triple-doubles and has recorded over 100 in his career, putting him among the all-time leaders. During the NBA Finals, he averaged about 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, leading the Nuggets to their first championship. He’s also won three MVP awards and is seeking more.
What makes it even more impressive is that he doesn’t rely on crazy dunks or flashy moves to score. Instead, he uses footwork, patience, and basketball IQ to outsmart defenders. A lot of times it looks like he’s barely jumping, but he still gets the rebound over everyone. He also sets up his teammates so well that the whole team plays better when he’s on the court. Even when defenders try to be physical with him, he stays calm and keeps making the right play, almost like the game is moving more slowly for him than everyone else.
The Nuggets are currently having the most efficient offensive season of all time, thanks to their superstar. Jokić is already in the top 3 all-time leaders for triple-doubles. What makes all this so amazing is the fact that he was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft. He was overlooked, but then turned into the face of the Nuggets franchise. Most MVPs were top-5 draft picks, but Jokić developed into the league’s best.
To wrap it up, Nikola Jokić isn’t just putting up historic numbers; he’s redefining what dominance looks like in the modern NBA. Without relying on elite athleticism, he controls the pace, elevates his teammates, and makes the game look effortless. If this stretch continues, we won’t just be talking about a great prime, we are talking about one of the greatest peaks in history that the league has ever seen and possibly the greatest player to ever play the game.
