Nikola Jokic made history on Tuesday night and crushed NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain’s stamp in the process.
Jokic recorded his 50th triple career while leading the Denver Nuggets to the Milwaukee Bucks 128-97, making him only the second center in league history to drop 50 of them.
Chamberlain did so in 703 games, but Jokic needed only 416.
“It just speaks to his greatness,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told The Associated Press. “The man does not get tired. He does not get tired. When he was out of the game, he was in turmoil, he was on the bench begging his teammates to jump back and play defense and move the ball. If your best player does, it really sends a message. ”
Jokic finished with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the win – meaning their fourth win in five games. They also held the Bucks to just 17 points in the fourth quarter and beat their five-game winning streak.
Jokic has scored more than 27 points and 11 rebounds per game so far this season, his sixth in the league, and easily placed himself in the MVP conversation.
According to Malone, however, he still does not get enough respect.
“I see all these conversations about ‘Who do you want to start a franchise with?’ ‘, Malone said Monday via The Denver Post. ‘I never see Nikola’s name mentioned. And I’m amazed at that. My nominee, I nominated an entry, ‘Nikola Jokic is a man I want to build a franchise with.’ ‘
Will Nikola Jokic pass Chamberlain’s stamp?
Yes.
At least he should.
Chamberlain ends his career with 78 triples. Jokic, now at 50, only needs 29 to pass him. And since he is only 26 years old, the Serb has enough time to do the job.
Although his performance is impressive, Jokic is still far behind Oscar Robertson’s 181 triple-double in the NBA. Russell Westbrook is the only active player in the striking series as he is at 156.
However, Jokic has the inner circle to be the highest center on the list.
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