FILE PHOTO: Dec 17, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
As one of the most dynamic sports offering incredible twists and turns and clashes between top athletes, basketball enjoys a popularity that few sports can boast. The form that the NBA stars maintain is proverbial, and many are inspired by the efforts and attention that the players in the top basketball league devote to their performance.
These efforts result in inimitable entertainment when fans witness the battle between players who seem to possess superhuman qualities. And while not everyone has the opportunity to see live NBA performances, watching games from the comfort of the couch is a no less attractive option.
In line with that, recently, online betting has become an invariable part of the experience of many NBA fans, which amounts to a solid number in the States and on a global scale. Ghana sports betting allows fans of the game to venture into the world of high-level basketball by testing their eye for the sport and their field reading skills to make successful predictions.
The season starts in a few months, but preparation for it begins early, giving fans the opportunity to gather the necessary information for successful predictions for the upcoming season. One of the most important pieces of news in this regard is the development of the ongoing relationship between Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
The saga with the potential extension of the Nuggets superstar’s contract is now over. Thus we can focus on what it means for the team that they managed to keep one of the key players in their ranks.
To say the turn of events is historic would be an understatement, so let’s see what actually happened over the past few months.
We begin with the final result of the negotiation process between the Serbian player and the Nuggets, which ended with the highest-paid contract extension in NBA history. Jokic will receive $264 million over the next five years under the terms of the new contract. The mesmerizing sum that the team is willing to pay in the next few years is indicative of the desire and importance for the Denver Nuggets to retain the Serbian centre at any cost.
According to Jokic himself, an essential part of his decision to stay with the team is related to the excellent relationship he has built with the Nuggets and the good organizational atmosphere of the team. Back in late April, it became clear that the team planned to offer Jokic a super-max contract extension, and already then, the player shared his desire and intention to accept the deal when it is laid out on the table.
In his now seven-year stint with Denver, Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be one of the best centres in the history of the sport, in addition to his excellent shooting skills.
Because of his qualities, Jokic has been awarded a number of times with the highest honours in basketball. He has been voted MVP two years in a row, making him only the thirteenth player to earn the recognition in consecutive seasons.
Since 2019, he has been an NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA First Team. This is only part of the list of honours that Jokic has won so far.
His journey to the NBA began in 2015 when he was drafted by the Nuggets while competing in the Adriatic League, which unites clubs from the countries of the Western Balkans. The player was selected as the second pick in the draft, and taking his place in the team was facilitated by a number of unfavourable situations for the then-starting Nuggets centre Jusuf Nurkic.
In his first season with Denver, Jokic was voted third in the Rookie of the Year list and also earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Strong years followed for the Serbian, who broke record after record. Among the interesting developments of his career is that he became the lowest drafted player to win the MVP.
His career stats to date are averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Last season was particularly productive for the player as he finished with career-high averages of 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the team to finish the season as champions, as the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. The Warriors took 4 of the five games, eliminating Jokic and company but also raising the question of whether Denver will be able to get revenge in the upcoming season.