Jokić has been famously durable throughout his career and known to play through multiple maladies. When he irritated his elbow a few weeks ago against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he played through it, gritted teeth and all. When the left ankle got progressively worse, he wanted to play through it.

But Nikola Jokić? In a full decade with the Nuggets, not a single teammate of his has ever made an All-Star Game or won an individual trophy. He has never played with an All-NBA player, an All-Defense teammate or for a Coach or Executive of the Year,