It was a brushstroke of brilliance on a painting crafted hundreds of times before. Nikola Jokic pump-faked from the top of the key, coaxing Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma’s right foot a step too high. Two dribbles came to get past Kuzma, and a left-to-right spin to shed him, setting up the threat of a hook.

Nikola Jokic might have a career as a quarterback with this arm. The Nuggets star, who has a crazy knack for hitting ridiculous shots from distance, did so again Friday night for Denver to close out the first half against the Jazz.

If you go back and look at some of Jokic’s draft profiles, he is praised for his IQ, work ethic, passing ability and feel for the game but slammed for a number of reasons. He is described as slow, unathletic, and a defensive liability who is weak around the basket and overall not strong enough.

And Nikola Jokic, making his return from a five-game absence caused by elbow and ankle injuries, tallied 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. If there was any doubt as to his health, he seemed to alleviate them by throwing down his usual pregame dunk — then by slamming another in the first quarter.