Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets can finally call himself an NBA champion, and it is largely because he just put together one of the greatest postseasons in league history.

He finished the 2023 playoffs averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists a game, and he led the league in all three categories during the postseason, which is a rare feat.

Jokic took home the Finals MVP award by putting up 30.2 points, 14.0 boards, and 7.2 assists a contest during the championship series, and there was almost nothing the Miami Heat, Denver’s opponent in the Finals, could do about him.

The Serbian native was a big load this spring, as he also finished with the fifth-most combined points, rebounds, and assists in playoff history.

Only LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Charles Barkley are higher on that leaderboard.

In both of the previous two years, Jokic was named the regular-season MVP, but some doubted if he was the best center, let alone the best overall player, in the NBA.

But what he has done over the last several weeks has finally earned him the recognition he deserves.

At age 28, he is likely early in his prime years, and he could end up getting more rings over the next few years, especially since his most important teammates are also relatively young.

Jamal Murray, who had another outstanding postseason, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. are all no older than 27 years of age, and in particular, Porter may still have room for improvement in the next few seasons.