This season, many star players have seen a drop in their average scoring. Players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have dropped to an average of 23 points per game. Two-time scoring champion Joel Embiid has also been affected by injuries, averaging only 22 points this season. Last season's top scorer Luka Doncic has averaged 28.7 points so far in the regular season, not quite reaching 30 points. On one hand, his efficiency is slightly lower than before, and on the other hand, the Mavericks have more players capable of playing, with the addition of a new player, Thompson, who can help share the scoring load. As for James Harden, who scored exceptionally well a few years ago, he is no longer able to return to his previous form. Although the team leader Kawhi Leonard has yet to return, Harden has to lead the team forward alone, with more opportunities to decide how to score. However, Harden has already adapted to his new role and no longer sees himself as a pure scorer.
He is now more focused on organizing and connecting plays. This season, Harden averages 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, which may seem average, but his influence on the court remains significant. Of course, there are also star players whose average scoring has skyrocketed this season, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of them. Currently, Antetokounmpo averages 32.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, ranking first in the league in scoring. However, compared to previous seasons, the depth of the Bucks' roster has started to decline, with fewer role players capable of scoring. The second-in-command Damian Lillard's personal form is also somewhat unstable, and the Bucks had a poor start to the season, falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. At this point, Antetokounmpo has to exert himself early on, putting up super stats to help the team win games.
Similarly, Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets has encountered a similar situation. Last year, the Nuggets were a top team in the league, but over the past two seasons, they have let go of many good role players from their championship lineup, such as Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Moreover, the team has not effectively addressed its weaknesses or found suitable support for Jokic. Additionally, the Nuggets' second-in-command Jamal Murray has not been performing well since winning the championship, remaining in a slump for a long time and no longer being discussed among All-Star players. This season, he averages less than 20 points per game. Furthermore, the Nuggets have lost their dominance in the Western Conference; their win rate is just over half, placing them in a mid-table position, and it's uncertain whether they will make it to the playoffs.
Given the current situation, Jokic has to turn up the heat and take on everything he can handle. From the regular season to now, Jokic averages 37.6 minutes per game, only slightly less than the ironman Mikal Bridges' 38.2 minutes. He averages 32.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, ranking second in the league in scoring, first in rebounding, and second in assists. There's also a terrifying statistic: Jokic has a three-point shooting percentage of 50.6%, ranking second in the league. Moreover, Jokic never shies away from responsibility in games, often attempting high-difficulty buzzer-beater shots that lower his own efficiency, but he doesn't care and still maintains an above 50% outside shooting percentage. Without a doubt, Jokic is the strongest player in the current league, with some saying he is a combination of Curry and O'Neal.
In the last two back-to-back games, Jokic went all out! Against the Wizards, he grabbed 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. Then against the Hawks, he scored another 48 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. In these two back-to-back games, he totaled 104 points, 30 rebounds, and 16 assists. Did you know? Statistics show that Jokic is the first player in history to achieve at least 100 points, 30 rebounds, and 15 assists in back-to-back games. Jokic didn't always have such explosive scoring power; it was because his offensive desire wasn't that strong, and he often gave opportunities to his teammates. But now, the Nuggets really do rely on Jokic to score. Also, this has something to do with the arrival of Russell Westbrook. Westbrook's offensive skills aren't what they used to be, but his passing is still good. As American media puts it: "Westbrook sends easy scoring opportunities to Jokic every game, just like giving him free cheeseburgers."
Wow, Jokic is too fierce! He can blast 56 points and slash 48 points, which is unprecedented! It's because of this that he can earn a top salary of 404millionover5years.Inthesummerof22,theNuggetsofferedJokica5−year,270 million contract extension, which was the largest contract in league history at the time. This season, his salary is 51.4million,secondonlytoCurryintheleague.SalaryexpertKurtHelinsaysthatby2026,Jokicwillbeeligibletosigna5−yearsupercontractworthover404 million with the Nuggets. Given his current performance, the Nuggets would definitely be willing to offer him this contract extension. Jokic's leadership skills and impact on the team are unique in the league. If the Nuggets don't slip in their performance this season, Jokic has a good chance of winning his fourth MVP award.
