Kentavious Caldwell-Pope described Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic as a dedicated workaholic in a recent interview. Speaking on the Above The Tim with DH 12 podcast, Caldwell-Pope highlighted Jokic’s intense practice routine, especially during pregame warm-ups.
“He’s shooting them shots, like, then—like, if you ever see him pregame warm-up, and he does his little stationary… he’s got a guy contesting, doing them one-legged shots,” Caldwell-Pope said, via HoopsHype. “That’s so tough. He’s practicing that because he knows it’s going to come. He knows he’s going to have to use it. And, like—yeah—he’s that workaholic, man. He works.”
Jokic’s performance this season has backed up Caldwell-Pope’s remarks. The Nuggets center has put up historic numbers, including multiple 40-point games, triple-doubles, and record-breaking shooting efficiency.
In late October, Jokic recorded back-to-back 40-point games for the first time in his career. He also achieved a rare triple-double with at least 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists, becoming the second player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to reach such stats.
Since then, Jokic has continued to shatter records. He matched Wilt Chamberlain for the most 30-point triple-doubles on at least 80% shooting and became the fastest player ever to reach 15,000 points, 7,500 rebounds, and 5,000 assists.
His April 1 performance of 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists marked the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history. Jokic also surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s single-season record for triple-doubles by a center this season.
