Fansided

30 biggest answers for the 2017-18 NBA season

By Jeremy Lambert

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia /
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Nuggets
DENVER, CO – APRIL 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passs the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

18. Will Nikola Jokic finish the year as a top 10 player?

What I Said Then: Will Jokic finish the year as a top 10 player? Probably not. It’s hard envisioning a scenario where the ten guys ahead of him take a huge step back and even if they did, I wouldn’t say Jokic is the 11th best player in the league.

Even if Jokic isn’t a top 10 player, that’s ok

What I’m Saying Now: Jokic nearly pushed his way into the conversation by caring the Nuggets across the finish line, but it wasn’t enough. Even if the Nuggets made the playoffs, it doesn’t mean Jokic elevated himself into the top 10 conversation.

Jokic was outstanding this season. He had to change his game alongside Paul Millsap, re-change his game when Millsap was injured, change again when Millsap returned, and change one more time when Millsap wasn’t quite as effective as Denver hoped he would be.

He was a chameleon this season.

He’s 22-years-old and already one of the best players in the league. Any organization would love to start their team with Jokic. He’s the prototypical center in the modern NBA. He can stretch the floor or play out of the post. His basketball IQ and passing is at an elite level for a big man. He doesn’t play defense, but neither does LeBron James in the regular season. Maybe Playoff Jokic is the greatest defender of all-time. I have a feeling we’ll find out next season.

No, he’s not a top 10 player. Yes, that’s still ok.

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