NBA Notebook: Nikola Jokic is making history

With the NBA reaching its halfway point and pausing for its annual All-Star break, let’s take a look at the stories that have shaped the Association this week.

Harden brilliant in Return to Houston

Former MVP James Harden made his return to Houston this week, triumphing over his former team in a 132-114 victory. It marked the 13th straight defeat for the Rockets, a telling streak that validates Harden’s decision to depart the city that made him a star for greener pastures in Brooklyn.

Harden’s reunion was expectedly anti-climatic with the lack of fans, but he still came out ready to dominate. The nine-time All-Star finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists that he claimed came with no extra motivation, but was impressive nonetheless.

Jokic is Making History

Nikola Jokic is making history with his incredible play this season. The Nuggets big man has as much craft and creativity as any player in the game today, and the result is some eye-popping statistics.

Jokic is averaging a career best 27.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. Perhaps the craziest statistic of all. however, is his 1.7 steals per game. He is one of the top contenders for the MVP race, and has now joined Wilt Chamberlain as one of only two centers in NBA history with 50 career triple doubles. Jokic is one of the most entertaining players in the league and one of its best.

The Nets are hitting their stride

The Brooklyn Nets have yet to enjoy an extensive amount of time playing at full strength, but they've been demonstrating why they're the clear-cut favorites in the Eastern Conference.

They’ve now won 10 of their last 11 games, including notable victories against the Clippers, Lakers, and Suns. The Nets are winning without the best player on their team in Kevin Durant, but James Harden and Kyrie Irving are no strangers to leading a team, and DeAndre Jordan and Joe Harris are playing better than most expected.

When Durant returns after the All-Star break, there will likely be some growing pains as the team re-introduces a fundamental piece back into lineup. Fortunately for the Nets, those growing pains will have plenty of time to be worked out prior to the playoffs, and the valuable playing time being shared around now in Durant’s absence will help them when the postseason arrives.

The Nets have struggled defensively at times this year, but as the NBA championship odds reflect, this is a team that is built to win now.

Blazers Ready for big Second Half Push

Many fans gave up on the Portland Trail Blazers back in January when two of their key starters were injured for an extensive length of time. Guard CJ McCollum fractured his foot, and center Jusuf Nurkic fractured his wrist, putting both of them out for nearly two months. With the West being so competitive, it seemed a major setback for the Blazers.

Fast forward to today, and the Blazers are sitting at 20-14 and fifth in the Western Conference. All-Star Damian Lillard is leading the way in their stead, and with both players on the road to recovery, it looks like the Blazers are well-positioned for a second half push. McCollum is cleared for practice, and Nurkic has begun on-court activities. They have both progressed well, and their returns are imminent.

In the meantime, Enes Kanter has been an excellent pick-up. The bruising big man is averaging 11.6 points per game, and has been a force on the offensive glass.

The Blazers are an athletic group, and when two of their best players return from injury they will be that much more formidable. Yes, the Utah Jazz and both Los Angeles teams still loom in the West, but the Blazers are worthy contenders.