NIKOLA Jokic produced another incredible performance in his stellar NBA career Monday night.
The Serbian giant made history during the Denver Nuggets’ win over the Indiana Pacers.
And he was labeled “an amazing, complete basketball player” by his coach.
Jokic, 30, scored 18 points and had nine rebounds in the 125-116 victory.
But he racked up 19 assists – the tied second-most by a center in NBA history.
According to ESPN, only Wilt Chamberlain managed more when he had 21 against the Detroit Pistons in 1968.
And ESPN stats also said that was the 28th game of Jokic’s career with 15 or more assists.
That is the most all-time by a non-guard.
“The guy is just an amazing, complete basketball player,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“I think the most remarkable thing is not just 19 assists, but the satisfaction and joy that Nikola gets from making his teammates better.
“He’d be happy getting 19 assists and us winning more than any other superstar that I’ve ever come across.”
Jokic is a three-time MVP and one of the greatest centers to have ever played the game
“He’s a humble person and understands that this whole thing is always much bigger than the individual,” Malone added.
“It’s the collective. He’s just an incredible player.
“What a luxury to have when you can just play through him down the stretch of a close game and you know something good is going to happen each and every time.”
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton also watched the game Monday night.
He was interviewed on the local game broadcast and asked to give an NFL scouting report on Jokic.
“I see a tight end, I don’t see a quarterback,” Payton said.
“I think that’s the reason Mike Malone has kept me away from the warmup here.
“We probably can’t pay him as much as he gets paid.
“It’s one thing to pass, but you also see someone who catches and has real soft hands.
“I think what’s very underrated, or never discussed, is how someone can accept a pass.
“Some people don’t have natural ball skills and he seems to have that.
“And the other thing, his stamina and his availability each night.
“He’s got that recovery that a lot of players don’t have.”
