It’s no secret that Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is playing at a level that perhaps no player ever has before in NBA history, but his latest unbelievable highlight from the Nuggets’ win over the Grizzlies on Monday might just be the most undeniable proof yet that he’s something other than a mortal human being. 

Jokic hit teammate Peyton Watson with a spinning, no-look dime that not only rivals some of Jokic’s greatest highlights but also some of the great passes in NBA history in general. Sure, there may have been some crafty no-looks and behind-the-backs in the “Golden Era”, but I have a hard time believing there’s ever been a guy as big as Jokic that could do something like that. 

After the game, Watson made it clear that he had no idea the pass was coming anywhere near his direction and praised his superhuman teammate for seemingly always finding a way to make a play happen, even when it looked impossible.

“Man, I had no idea that ball was coming,” Watson said. “But there's kind of, like, this thought in the back of your head where you hope that this ball always can find you no matter where you are on the court. And that was one of those moments. He just found me. (5:48) I don't even remember how he saw me, but he got that ball to me. 

“Luckily, I was in a spot where I could just go up, and my job was easy. I mean, he’s an unbelievable player. Like I said, I can't say enough good things about him.”

Finding A Role

Beyond being on the receiving end of an all-time Jokic highlight on Monday, Watson was a much bigger part of the game plan than usual, as he made 5-of-12 attempts from 3-point range and was a very significant piece of what the Nuggets were doing offensively. Coach David Adelman praised Watson’s malleability and made sure to give a nod to Jokic’s insane dime.

“Tonight, (Peyton) shot the ball really well, let it fly,” Adelman said. “Other nights, he needs to be a cutter, like he was at the end, and Nikola found him on that outrageous pass where he played in the dunker. Guys have to change nightly who they are, depending on how the night's going, but he was huge with the 5 3-pointers.”

It will be interesting to see what role Watson will occupy when the Nuggets take on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.