'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Nikola Jokic
There are two reasons why Jokic has finally taken up the No. 4 spot on the center rankings and displaced KAT from this spot last year on my personal list of elite NBA players:
Trending
(a) Jokic's failings at defense are often worse than Towns', but they're usually a result of physique rather than lower IQ. Until Towns is able to sort that out, if he ever can, Jokic is, in my eye, a better defender;
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
(b) Jokic's ability to play as a point center opens things up for the Nuggets so much that they're up there with the Warriors and the Rockets as a really great offense. Towns' effect on his teammates isn't nearly as pronounced.
The Nuggets' ability to make the playoffs this year hinges on Jokic's availability and ability to orchestrate an efficient offense.
Given that he's surrounded by really good players in the mold of Gary Harris, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap in addition to Will Barton, Isaiah Thomas and Mason Plumlee, expect Jokic to have borderline MVP caliber impact on the Nuggets' fortunes.
76ers Fan? Check out the latest Philadelphia 76ers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.
