Nikola Jokic is the reigning league MVP and for good reason. For the first time in about a decade, the Denver Nuggets have title aspirations that stretch beyond a season. The driving force behind those expectations is, of course, Jokic himself. Jokic has cemented himself as a top-five and arguably top-three player in the whole league with how well-rounded his game has become over the years. When he first burst onto the scene though, it was his vision and crafty passes that set him apart. After all, Jokic does hold a career assist average of six per game. Over time, the Denver Nuggets realized they had uncovered a second-round gem who would go on to become the first league MVP in franchise history. With all of that in mind, it is time to count down the five best assists of Nikola Jokic’s career thus far.
Nikola Jokic’s Five Best Assists
Assist #5: Jokic to Chandler vs. Indiana
During this game, Jokic actually had a few nice passes to former Denver Nugget, Wilson Chandler. However, there is one assist that stood out the most. In classic Jokic fashion, he threw a pass overhead using his peripheral vision catching Chandler’s defender ball watching. As a result, Chandler was able to sneak underneath the basket and received one of the easiest buckets of his career. You can watch the highlight at the 2:34 mark of the video.
Assist #4: Jokic to Faried vs. Portland
The frontcourt duo of Jokic and Kenneth Faried really never clicked. However, the two still had their fair share of highlights on the floor together. One such highlight came on December 15th, 2016. On a fastbreak opportunity, Jokic faked out the Trail Blazers defense with a no-look dime to the high-flying Faried who laid it home. The Joker’s vision and ability to read off a defense were on full display here as he quarterbacked this whole sequence beautifully.
Assist #3: Jokic to Grant vs. Memphis
On December 28th, 2019, the Denver Nuggets were looking to bounce back after a debacle on Christmas Day. They did just that thanks to their Serbian big man who had another signature assist. At the 8:05 mark of the video, you can see Jokic drawing the double-team which allows Jerami Grant to cut to the basket. What is even more impressive about the play is that Jokic once again was not even looking at his target and he threw the ball between the two Memphis defenders’ heads.
Assist #2: Jokic to Millsap vs. Portland
In Game Two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, it was already clear the series was going to be an entertaining one. The Trail Blazers eventually won in seven games, but Nikola Jokic still had some insane highlights. One of which was here when he threw an assist between the rotating help defender’s legs to Paul Millsap for an and-one opportunity.
Assist #1: Jokic to Barton vs. Los Angeles
Back in 2017, the Denver Nuggets had not quite arrived yet. However, many knew this was a promising young team on the come-up in the NBA landscape. Jokic’s best assist of his career in this game helped prove this point. After coming down with an offensive rebound, Jokic had three defenders draped on him. His awareness was on full display as he threw an over-the-head pass to a cutting Will Barton. Nikola Jokic is bound to have many more great assists in his career, but as of now, this assist against the Lakers is the best of his young career.
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