In a 30-part series leading up to the start of the 2021-22 National Basketball Association season, we will take a look at each NBA franchise from a fantasy perspective. The eighth team we will review is the Denver Nuggets.
In 2020-21, Nikola Jokic of Sombor, Serbia became the fifth non-American to win the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award. He followed Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon of Lagos, Nigeria (1994), Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (2005 and 2006), Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki of Wurzburg, Germany (2007), and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmopo of Athens, Greece (2019 and 2020).
When it comes to fantasy basketball, Jokic is also the MVP, and is ranked number one with 3198 fantasy points.* Last season he was third in the NBA in points (1898), and was only behind Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (2015), and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers (1928). He was also fifth in the NBA in rebounds (780), and third in the NBA in assists (599).
You would expect a big man like Jokic (6’11”, 285 pounds) to be near the NBA leaders in points and boards, but seeing a power forward or center like Jokic at third in assists is virtually unheard of. Jokic was actually one of two power forwards/centers ranked in the top 10 in assist totals in 2020-21. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors was sixth in assists with 558.
At small forward, Michael Porter Jr. is ranked in the middle of the pack for his position at 16th with 1810 fantasy points. Last season Porter Jr. had high numbers in points (averaging 19 points per game), respectable numbers in rebounds (averaged 7.3 boards per game), but did not put up high numbers in assists or steals.
Aaron Gordon was respectable, but only had 1033 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Jamaal Murray is not close to returning after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in April.
*Please note: To calculate NBA fantasy points for point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, I use the formula (3PTM+Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals-Turnovers). For power forwards and centers, I use the formula (Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals+Blocks-Turnovers).
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