Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We’re here to talk about the daily happenings in the NBA!
Nikola Jokic has been tremendous early.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Zalubowski/AP.)
So we know what Nikola Jokic can do. Even though the team has struggled out of the gate, you should see his whopping averages at the moment.
24.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 11.9 assists.
My gosh.
He had a 35-15-6 game against Minnesota on Tuesday. What a slacker. Only 6 assists. But seriously, it’s almost like he can dominate at will on the offensive side.
We’ve talked about this in the past. He can score in all spots on the floor. Post-ups. Midrange. Three-pointers. But of course, what stands out about Jokic is his sublime passing as he demonstrates here:
Another sick dime from Magic Nik pic.twitter.com/WZsuTZ9Pzr
— Leigh Ellis (@LeighEllis) January 6, 2021
That bounce pass is something else. It’s so special when you have a big man like Jokic who can handle the ball and pass it with the best of them. He currently leads the league in assists. Even if he doesn’t sustain that over the season, he’s been in the Top 15 in dimes for three years running.
While Jamal Murray did break out on last year’s postseason, it was Jokic who kept the team stable throughout. In both Game 7s last year, Jokic put up big numbers to seal the series for the Nuggets. He went for 30 points and 14 boards in a low-scoring affair against the Jazz and then he went for a huge triple-double (16-22-13) in a stunner against the Clippers.
Jokic would be unquestionably be the MVP right now if the Nuggets had a better record. But they do have time to turn it around and Jokic is going to have to be the guy once again to get them back on track.
Bullet Passes
When the Lakers turn on the switch (more specifically, LeBron James), they’re nearly unstoppable. Must be nice.
(Although they did have a bit of a scare at the end against Memphis. Woof.)
Zach LaVine made a clutch three to put the Bulls over the Blazers. The Blazers are really way too used to these slow starts. And the Bulls are surprisingly off to a decent 4-4 start. Sometimes, a new voice can make a difference.
The Nets ran over the Jazz early and often. Both teams are off to inconsistent starts themselves but the Nets certainly have the higher ceiling with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant (who did not play on Tuesday).
I still feel the Clippers are going to be okay. But I also said this last year and look what it got them.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 5, 2021
Watch This Play
The Nets are this terrifying when they’re cooking. Look at Kyrie Irving‘s dish and look at Jarrett Allen‘s serve on Rudy Gobert.
This Kyrie pass and Jarrett Allen finish 😯 pic.twitter.com/8eTYsjz55j
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2021
This is so messed up.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.