The Denver Nuggets are moving closer to one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise history.

Let’s continue our three-week series in advance of Media Day on September 29th, just a few days away! With 14 players on the roster and a new mix of players to discuss, it’s important to remember who the Nuggets have, who they don’t have, and what to expect heading into October.

Up next, a check-in on Nikola Jokic.

The burden Nikola Jokic carries every single year is the largest in the NBA and has been for a long time.

Finishing top three in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, Jokic’s all-encompassing greatness is nothing new to Nuggets fans. What was new to Denver was the 36.7 minutes per game Jokic averaged across 70 games. It wasn’t the most total regular season minutes Jokic has ever played, but it was close. 2,571 minutes was third among centers this year, behind Bam Adebayo (who started several games at power forward) and Ivica Zubac who played 10 additional games to reach that number.

It was an MVP caliber year for Jokic, and though he didn’t win, he’s universally considered the best player in the NBA. His ability to impact games and take over at his own pace while doing so in a variety of ways is what makes him truly special. The Nuggets know that, and they know how important this moment in franchise history is. Because when are the Nuggets ever going to have a player as impactful as Jokic ever again? It may never happen.

So, that’s why the Nuggets were aggressive this offseason. They traded for Cam Johnson to help balance out the starting lineup. They added Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the bench. The team should be healthier. Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, DaRon Holmes II, and Jalen Pickett should add a layer of youthful impact to the bench.

More than anything else though, the Nuggets finally added a backup center they feel they can trust. Jonas Valanciunas, who I wrote about last week, is the most impactful backup center the Nuggets have had since Mason Plumlee, and he might be better. The luxury of taking Jokic out of games a little bit sooner than usual to insert a player of Valanciunas’ caliber should be exciting for fans. The non-Jokic minutes have been a nightmare for a while, but perhaps they become less of a nightmare. At least, enough to reduce the minutes for Jokic heading into his Age-30 season.

If the Nuggets are capable of reducing Jokic’s burden, that can only be helpful for the playoffs. In each of the last two seasons, there have been moments late in a series when Jokic has really struggled with exhaustion, making the final rotation defensively, getting position offensively, and simply battling until the final whistle. He’s not lazy. Far from it. He has simply gassed out at times, which shouldn’t surprise anyone given his individual expectations. Almost assuredly, every other superstar in his situation would’ve gone through the same thing.

So, the Nuggets improved the situation. At least, from our current vantage point.

The reality is: Jokic has the capability to be one of the greatest to ever play. It’s an incredible opportunity and level of expectation, and the last five seasons in a row all being MVP caliber underscore that. Unfortunately, Jokic and the Nuggets have reached the Conference Finals just once in that span, the year they won the championship. Fairly or unfairly, many will question Jokic’s greatness in the future if the Nuggets aren’t able to make it past the second round for the rest of his career.

Some numbers to wrap things up. Here are Jokic’s ranks in various categories through the first 10 seasons of every player’s career in NBA history:

  • 16,210 Points – 43rd all-time
  • 8,141 Rebounds – 33rd all-time
  • 5,383 Assists – 22nd all-time
  • +10.3 Box Plus-Minus – 2nd all-time
  • 128.0 Win Shares – 12th all-time
  • 73 VORP – 3rd all-time

Jokic’s ability to fill up the box score will never be in doubt, nor his ability to make those around him better. Jokic turned himself into an all-time great because it’s simply what the Nuggets needed him to become. That speaks volumes about his competitiveness, skill level, and unselfishness. He wants to win, and he wants to do it in Denver, and he wants everyone to go with him along the way.

Now, it’s time for Jokic (and others around him) to let go of the MVPs. The best thing for the Nuggets and for the longevity of Jokic’s career is for him to take a step back. Averages of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists will do just fine this year. He doesn’t need to average a 30-point triple-double again. If he does, it’s because something went wrong with Denver’s rotation.

Jokic also needs to save his energy, reinvest in his body, and stay fresh for a deep playoff run. The season is too long to expend so much energy trying to hold up a collapsing building for 82 games a night. The Nuggets have added some better support. Now it’s Jokic’s job to ensure he can deliver when the games matter most. That means saving himself for a seven-game war against the Oklahoma City Thunder when the time comes.

If the Nuggets can get to that point with a reasonably rested Jokic, I like Denver’s chances at winning a second championship.