Kendrick Perkins gives new word for Nikola Jokic’s greatness: “I came up with my word, JOAT”
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic continues to make history with his performances this season. Winning the MVP award for a third straight season could be a possibility, and Kendrick Perkins is batting for the Serbian star.
Perkins has been a fan of Jokic for quite some time now and he recently coined a new term to describe the four-time All-Star and his outstanding playing style.
"I thought about using 'whack-body', because Jokic been representing for all the whack bodies around the world, including myself. But I thought about his greatness and I thought about the word 'GOAT,' so I came up with my own word. I'm going with 'JOAT.'"
"You know what 'JOAT' means? Jack of all trades. A versatile person. And that's exactly who Jokic is. A versatile basketball player, one of the most skilled basketball players to ever play the game. You want buckets, he's gonna get you that. You want rebounds, he's gonna get you that. You want him making guys around him better, he's gonna give you that."
"Most importantly, he's gonna win you ball games at an extremely high level. And forget being able to jump up on the curve. We're talking about a guy who could barely do a damn calf raise, who relies solely on skills and is getting it done in great fashion."
Jokic posted another triple double in the Nuggets' most recent game, which was against the Portland Trail Blazers. The two-time MVP had 36 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Nuggets to victory. What's even more impressive is that he shot 92.9% from the field, only missing one of his 14 attempts on the court.
On the back of Jokic's recent performances, the Nuggets have improved to 31-13, solidifying their top spot in the Western Conference. This could be their best shot at winning the title, as all their stars are in good shape and have been effective contributors. Jokic's leadership could be a huge factor in their quest to win the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Also read: Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic talks about his love for horses during Denver Nuggets media availability
Third MVP for Nikola Jokic this season?
Nikola Jokic has been outstanding for the Nuggets this season. His triple-doubles are incredibly fun to watch. Plus, it helps them win games. Due to this, he has a shot at winning his third MVP award, creating history once more. In the past two seasons where he won the award, the team underachieved.
However, this time around, Denver is at the top of the standings and has been able to sustain its high level of play. This could help his case in winning the award for a third straight season. Plus, the MVP trophy isn't the only hardware that he could take home this season. The NBA title is also within their reach this season.
Also read: Richard Jefferson commends Nikola Jokic's unique trait among his other abilities: “He makes everyone feel at home