NBA Veteran Explains Why Nikola Jokic Is an Unstoppable Player

Jokic, Brunson score 40 in wins

Denver’s maestro remained spectacular amid franchise upheaval and playoff heartbreak.

Nikola Jokić’s 2024-25 campaign could be defined by breathtaking stats and unfathomable consistency, but what truly separated him was his poise during a season of chaos for the Denver Nuggets.

Despite the franchise firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with just days left in the regular season—barely two years removed from a title run—Jokić never let turbulence compromise his game.

Averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, while shooting at an exceptional 57.6% from the field and 41.7% beyond the arc, Jokić asserted himself as one of the best statistical performers in league history.

His mastery was matched only by his durability and leadership. As injuries and roster churn tested the Nuggets’ depth, and coaching drama swirled around the locker room, the Serbian superstar was the steady heartbeat—dragging Denver to the Western Conference Semifinals after a captivating seven-game series against the L.A. Clippers.

While their Game 7 loss punctuated another disappointing playoff exit, Jokić’s regular and postseason output remained historic, with 26.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 8 assists per game throughout the playoffs.

 

Historic MVP Streak, Legendary Company

 

Jokić fell just short of collecting his fourth Kia NBA MVP award in 2025, finishing second to Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a closely-contested race. This marked Jokić’s fifth straight top-2 finish in MVP voting, placing him in rare company alongside legends Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

His ability to produce video game-like stat lines—including a triple-double average for the season—drew admiration from critics and colleagues alike, reasserting his status as one of the game’s greats even as team fortunes fluctuated.

 

IQ, Vision, and Conditioning: Veteran Praise

 

What truly sets Jokić apart, according to peers like Bogdan Bogdanovic, isn’t just his numbers but an otherworldly basketball IQ and supreme conditioning.

The Clippers guard, himself an accomplished international scorer, emphasized Jokić’s “front vision” and his capacity to anticipate the game several steps ahead, instilling confidence in “anyone else” who shares the court with him.

Jokić’s elite reads and relentless pace make him a unique matchup nightmare and ensure his impact transcends raw production; his ability to orchestrate and elevate teammates remains his most valuable trait.

As the Nuggets look to refurbish their leadership and refocus for the 2025-26 season, one certainty prevails: as long as Jokić calls Denver home, hope will never be far away.