Nikola Jokic is solidly in the conversation for league MVP, though
James Harden might be running away from the competition.
However, Jokic’s impressive play this season has caught the eye
of collectors and caused his cards to increase in popularity.
For the season, Jokic is averaging 19.8 points per game to go
along with 7.7 assists and 10.3 rebounds.
It’s hard to say that Jokic has exploded onto the scene this season
because he’s been solid since his debut in 2015-16. But he’s shown
tremendous improvement every season. The result? He’s gone from
a second-round steal to one of the NBA’s most dominant players.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that 2015-16 Panini National Treasures
ranks among the top Nikola Jokic Rookie Cards. For starters, it’s
National Treasures. Although it doesn’t have the massive patch that
most other key NT Rookie Cards have, it is autographed. And with
just 99 copies, it’s rare.
It’s one of just four Nikola Jokic RCs that has an autograph.
points per game and is one of 14 players to average
7 assists per game or more. Despite only being in his
fourth season, some are heralding him as the best
big man passer of all time. If you look at his passing
highlights, you can certainly see why.
he reason he’s in this year’s MVP conversation is
plain and simple. His play has coincided with team
success. Every season before this season the Nuggets
have been out of the playof race. As of now, they are
second only to the Warriors in a hypercompetitive
Western Conference.
Injuries to a slew of the team’s key players have
also forced Jokic to really step up and lead his team.
Murray’s improvement has certainly contributed to
their success but there’s no doubt the big man has
been the impetus for Denver’s hot form.
Jokic’s 2018-19 campaign is on track to make his-
tory. Per he Ringer and Basketball Reference, he’s
on track to become just the ith player ever to aver-
age at least 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists
per game in a season alongside Wilt Chamberlain,
Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Russell West-
brook. All four of those guys have MVP trophies
and if it weren’t for James Harden and Giannis
Antetokounmpo, Jokic would have a stronger claim
for the award too.
here aren’t many players in today’s NBA who
genuinely make their teammates better. he Joker
has an innate git with his passing and basketball
intelligence to elevate those around him. While
Harden and Giannis are having phenomenal indi-
vidual seasons, the ability Jokic has to lit his team-
mates will leave him as a mainstay in a clustered
MVP conversation for the remainder of the season.
His impact on the hobby is increasing too, as you
can see with his appearance on this month’s Hot List
on page 24.
HOT TICKET
JOKIC¹S ON-COURT PLAY TRANSLATES
TO CARDBOARD POPULARITY.
DESPITE ONLY BEING IN HIS
FOURTH SEASON, SOME ARE
HERALDING HIM AS THE BEST
BIG MAN PASSER OF ALL TIME.
IF YOU LOOK AT HIS PASSING
HIGHLIGHTS, YOU CAN
CERTAINLY SEE WHY.
BECKETT BASKETBALL 15