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0 Ladies and gentlemen, today we’re going to dive into the mesmerizing world of Serbian professional basketball player, Nikola Jokić. At 6-foot-11 and 284 pounds, he is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Known as “the Joker,” Jokić is a centre for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, and he has solidified his position as one of the greatest players and centres of all time. His journey to stardom began when he was selected as the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, marking what many consider to be the greatest draft steal in NBA history.
In an incredible display of skill and dominance, Jokić has secured the prestigious MVP award not once, not twice, but an astounding three times, joining the ranks of legends such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This Serbian big man’s statistics speak volumes about his capabilities – averaging an impressive 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9 assists per game while maintaining a remarkable 58.3% shooting accuracy from the field. What sets Jokić apart is not only his scoring ability, but also his exceptional ball-handling and passing skills, defying traditional center expectations.
The 2023-24 season proved to be a defining moment for Jokić, as he finished fifth in total points, third in total rebounds, second in total assists, and eighth in total steals. This remarkable feat further solidifies his status as a basketball phenomenon. Furthermore, Jokić created history by becoming the only player in NBA history to rank in the top 10 in all four statistical categories in a single season since the league began tracking steals in 1973-74.
Not only is Jokić a statistical powerhouse, but he is also a key player for the Denver Nuggets, with his exceptional contributions guiding the team to success. His prowess on both ends of the court was instrumental in the Nuggets’ journey to become the defending NBA champions, finishing the regular season as the second seed in the competitive Western Conference, closely trailing the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder.
The impact of Nikola Jokić extends beyond conventional expectations, redefining the role of a centre in modern basketball. His combination of size, strength, shooting prowess, and playmaking abilities has cemented his status as a true game-changer. Join me as we explore the captivating career of this extraordinary athlete who continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of basketball.
Playing a total of 2737 minutes distributed across 79 games, Nikola Jokic delivered an outstanding performance on the court. His shooting statistics reveal a remarkable 58.3% shooting accuracy from the field, with a total of 1411 shots attempted and 822 shots made during the 2024 season.
Jokic’s shot selection was diverse, with the majority of his attempts falling within the 2-point range, accounting for 83.6% of his shots. Further analysis of his shot distribution shows that 26% of his shots were from the 0-3 feet range, 40.4% from 3-10 feet, 11.5% from 10-16 feet, 5.7% from 16 feet to the 3-point range, and 16.4% from beyond the 3-point line, showcasing his versatility on the court, while Nikola Jokic’s effective field goal percentage was 61.2%.
Examining his field goal percentages by distance, Jokic demonstrated consistency and proficiency. From the 2-point range, he maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 62.6%. Moreover, his accuracy from specific distances was exceptional, with percentages of 74.1% from 0-3 feet, 61.4% from 3-10 feet, 53.7% from 10-16 feet, 37% from 16 feet to the 3-point line, and 35.9% from beyond the 3-point line.
In terms of specific achievements, Jokic recorded 17 dunks throughout the season, representing 1.3% of his total shot attempts. Additionally, his season highs reflect moments of exceptional performance, including 18 made field goals and 32 field goal attempts in a single game. He also achieved a season high of 4 made 3-pointers and 8 attempts. When focusing on 2-pointers, his season high for makes was 17 with 29 attempts. Similarly, his season high for both attempted and made free throws was 18.
Furthermore, 2024 proved to be a memorable season for Jokic as he set a new career high with 11 offensive rebounds in a single game. His dominance on the boards was evident with a season high of 17 defensive rebounds and an overall season high of 22 rebounds. Impressively, he also tied his career-high for assists in a game with 18. Additionally, his defensive contributions were noteworthy, with a season-high of 6 steals and a tied career-high of 5 blocks. Lastly, Jokic showcased his scoring prowess with a season-high of 42 points in a single game.
Nikola Jokic had an outstanding season, coming out on top in many statistical categories. He led the league in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) with an impressive 31, showcasing his exceptional all-around performance. His true shooting percentage, a key measure of shooting efficiency, stood at an outstanding 65%. Notably, his 3-point percentage rating, indicating the proportion of 3-point attempts made from field goal attempts, was 16.4%, while his free-throw percentage rating was 31%.
In terms of rebounding, Jokic showcased his prowess with an offensive rebound percentage of 9.3% and a defensive rebound rating of 29.6%, resulting in a total rebound percentage of 19.8%. Additionally, he played a significant role in facilitating his team’s offence, assisting on 42% of the shots.
On the defensive end, Jokic demonstrated his exceptional versatility by achieving steal and block percentages of 2% and 2.1% respectively. His significant impact on both offense and defense was highlighted by his league-leading Offensive Win Shares of 12 and defensive Win Shares of 5.1, resulting in a total Win Shares of 17.
Furthermore, Jokic’s performance in advanced metrics was truly outstanding, as he led the league in Offensive Box Plus/Minus (OBPM) and Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) with 9 and 4.2 respectively. His overall Box Plus/Minus (BPM) was at the top of the league charts at 13.2, underscoring his immense value to his team. It is also worth noting that he topped the league in Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) with an impressive 10.6, further establishing himself as an exceptionally impactful and standout player in the league.
Nikola Jokic’s stats for the 2024 season were truly exceptional. He showcased incredible accuracy, making 83 out of 231 attempts from beyond the arc and an impressive 739 out of 1180 attempts from inside the three-point line. Additionally, he demonstrated his skill at the free-throw line, sinking 358 shots out of 438 attempts. On the rebounding front, Jokic’s performance was outstanding, securing a total of 976 rebounds, comprising 223 offensive rebounds and 753 defensive rebounds. Notably, this ranked as his second highest rebounding performance in a single season over the course of his career.
In terms of his passing and defensive capabilities, Jokic provided 708 assists, executed 108 steals, and delivered 68 blocks. Furthermore, he achieved his career high in points, amassing a total of 2085, and achieved a remarkable 25 triple doubles.
Jokic’s contributions on the court were duly recognized, as he earned a spot in the All-Star game, received two player of the week awards, and was honored as the player of the month in November. Additionally, his exceptional performance led to his inclusion in the All-NBA first team.
When juxtaposed against his peers, Jokic’s statistical prowess shone through. He achieved various top rankings, such as finishing third in total rebounds with 976, ranking fourth in rebounds per game with 12.4, landing in the ninth position for offensive rebounds with 223, and securing the second spot for defensive rebounds with 753. Jokic also positioned himself as the fifth highest scorer in terms of total points with 2085 and clinched the tenth spot in points per game with an average of 26.4. His exceptional playmaking ability was evident, as he finished as the runner-up to Tyrese Haliburton in total assists with 708 and ranked third in assists per game with 9.
Jokic’s prowess extended to the defensive end, as he secured the eighth spot in total steals with 108 and placed thirteenth in steals per game with 1.4. His efficiency in shooting was also commendable, as he ranked tenth in field goal percentage, second in two-point field goal percentage, and tenth in effective field goal percentage. Additionally, he also ranked second in made field goals and achieved the eleventh position in attempts.
Additionally, Jokic’s efficiency and impact on the court were underlined by his staggering player efficiency ratings. He finished first in player efficiency in the 2020-21 NBA season with a rating of 31.3, followed by ratings of 32.8, 31.5, and 31.0 in the subsequent seasons. Notably, he stood first among active players with a rating of 28.1 and also led in career player efficiency ratings, with a rating of 28.1. His dominance extended to the playoffs as well, where he achieved the highest career and career NBA playoff player efficiency ratings of 29.2.
Nikola Jokic has been a consistent leader in Win shares in the NBA over the last 4 seasons. His Win share scores have been remarkable, with 15.6 in 2021, 15.2 in 2022, 14.9 in 2023, and a career-high of 17 in 2024. Notably, he has led the NBA in Offensive Win shares with a staggering score of 12, and has also maintained a strong presence in Defensive Win shares, finishing 2nd in the league for the second time in his career over the same time period.
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