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Nikola Jokić reacts during a recent Nuggets game as Denver awaits his return from a knee injury.
Perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic admitted he has real concerns about the Denver Nuggets and their chances of contending for an NBA Championship this season. Denver remains the second favorite in the West to win the NBA Championship behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, some recent losses and more flaws getting exposed are putting their future in doubt.
Jokic revealed that he feels change is needed after an embarrassing loss to the Golden State Warriors missing Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green:
“I’m definitely concerned, because we are losing the games. We are losing the games, and we are not creating open looks. So that’s something that we need to change. I don’t know what it is, but we need to figure it out.”
Fans have started to feel this from Denver’s lackluster play over the past couple of weeks. The Nuggets survived missing Jokic due to injury for a few weeks. Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson have all missed time, but Gordon and Peyton Watson are the only main names currently out. Denver should be winning more, and Jokic is recognizing that by calling out his team with a public comment.
Can Nuggets Fix Problems Before Playoffs?
It is important to note that Denver still holds a top six record in the entire league, despite multiple starters missing time due to injury. Most betting sites still list the Nuggets as the second overall title favorite, but the Detroit Pistons are starting to close that gap to make it closer.
Denver no longer feels like an obvious title favorite above the non-Thunder teams. However, they do pose the biggest threat with Jokic still considered the best player in the overall league. Stable health and more consistency playing together is their main problem.
The Nuggets played well with Jokic, but that required every player to take on a new mentality to do more. Jokic’s return means that everyone must take a step back and play behind the MVP. Watson and Gordon returning to the court is important, but the time together with a healthy roster is the best solution to these problems mentioned by Jokic.
Jokic Needs Another Ring For Legacy
“Legacy” talk gets old in the NBA since it seems like even new young players get that forced upon them, but it is relevant for historical greats. Jokic has a chance to enter the top ten in NBA history, and the discussion gets more intense when on that elite level.
Every all-time great NBA icon with a realistic argument for the top ten has at least two NBA Championships. Names like Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Kevin Garnett fall short of that label due to only winning one NBA Championship compared to the others.
Jokic arguably has more riding on another ring than any other active player in the league. The other Nuggets players have strong desires to win it all as the driving force every season, but Jokic is tasked with more responsibility and more reward. Denver getting called out by Jokic is a big sign that he sees them needing more effort to truly contend.
Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford
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