By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic was doing what he usually does, keeping everything under control for the Denver Nuggets with his all-round performances. However, coach Mike Malone believes that the reigning MVP has been dubbed this season when it comes to the attention he’s been getting.
“I think he is one of the more disrespected reigning MVPs that I can think of in terms of the attention,” Malone said after Denver’s loss to the LA Clippers, despite a 25-point lead. Jokic missed the potential game-winner.
“If you open up the dictionary, look up the word consistency, there’s going to be a picture of Nikola there. That’s going back to the bubble, that’s going back to a 72-game season last year, and this year we knew Jamal [Murray] was going to be out for an extended period. When you add a Michael Porter, when you add a P.J. Dozier to that [injured] list, it even becomes more incredible what he’s doing.”
Jokic has been averaging 25.8 points on 56.1% shooting, as well as career-high 14.2 rebounds, plus seven assists before the game against Clippers. Last season, his 26.4 points on 56.6% shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists were enough for the MVP trophy.