Karl: 'Jokic is the best' player in Nuggets history

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez (9) in the second half at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

George Karl: Nikola 'Jokic is the best' player in Nuggets history

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/7/22

Nikola Jokic's historic performance for the Denver Nuggets against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday caught the attention of basketball fans old and young. There may be no one who praised the four-time All-Star more than former Nuggets coach George Karl.

There have been some Nuggets greats- Bobby Jones, David Thompson, Alex English, Mutombo, Melo.

Jokic is the best.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 7, 2022

Jokic, who won league MVP honors last season, is averaging 25.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, and eight assists per game this season for Denver, which currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. In Sunday's 138-130 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Jokic registered 46 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists with three steals and four blocks.

30 POINTS IN THE 4TH AND OT FOR THE JOKER

Nikola Jokić is the first player to record a 40-point triple-double and 4 blocks in a game since LeBron in 2010. pic.twitter.com/ZgRL1hGirp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 7, 2022

Jokic has been part of the league MVP discussion for the better part of the 2021-22 campaign, and Sunday's performance no doubt helps push his name to the top of the list. Philadelphia's Joel Embiid and Chicago's DeMar DeRozan are among the top candidates battling with Jokic to win the big honor at the end of the season.

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