December 26th 2024.
Nikola Jokic has been dominating the basketball court recently, showcasing his all-around skills in scoring, rebounding, passing, and even yelling. Many are wondering what's been going on with the NBA's best player. Some may remember when I suggested that the Denver Nuggets owe him an apology for their roster construction back in November. And just last week, I even went as far as endorsing a trade for Chicago's Zach LaVine. But one thing is clear, Jokic's frustration with his teammates, the losses, and the team's inconsistent performance is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
During the Christmas Day game against the Phoenix Suns, Jokic showed his emotions on multiple occasions. The NBA had set up some great early games, including a showdown between Steph Curry and LeBron James, but the nightcap between the Nuggets and the Suns turned out to be a disappointment. Instead of securing a fourth consecutive win, the Nuggets let the game slip away in the fourth quarter, causing fans to question the team's makeup once again. Three main issues have been lingering throughout the season so far: Jokic's simmering frustration, Jamal Murray's underwhelming performance, and the lack of seriousness from the bench players.
Let's start with Jokic. He's been playing the best basketball of his career, adding accurate three-point shooting to his already impressive repertoire. He currently ranks second in points and third in both rebounds and assists. Of course, he's not immune to criticism, as he has had some defensive issues in the past. However, he's not the problem here. It's everything else surrounding him. And he's been vocal about it, more than ever before.
Even if you were a little too jolly from all the eggnog on Christmas, it was hard to miss Jokic's frustration during the game. At one point, he threw both arms in the air after a loose ball resulted in a three-pointer for Bradley Beal. And soon after, when Michael Porter Jr. made a poor pass that was tipped away by Beal, Jokic could be seen screaming in disgust as he chased after Beal. It's clear that he's not just upset with himself, but with the team as a whole.
This is not an isolated incident either. It's becoming a pattern, and everyone from the coach to the general manager and team president needs to take notice. The best player in the world is losing his patience, and any other superstar in the modern NBA would have already taken action, whether it be getting their coach fired or demanding a change in teammates. Jokic has always been a selfless teammate, but this season is pushing him to his limits.
Remember when he raised eyebrows earlier this month when asked what he's learned about his team? He said, "That we can surprise in a good way, bad way, everybody. Literally everybody." And just five days later, after scoring 56 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards, he suggested that players should be paid less for their performance. He said, "In my country, where I'm from, after this kind of stretch, you're gonna get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you're worth. Maybe that's what we need to do." Are you listening, coach, GM, and team president? What will it take for changes to be made?
To make matters worse, Aaron Gordon is facing another absence due to injury. And with 21 games in the next 37 days, the schedule is only going to get tougher. How much more can Jokic take before he explodes?
Speaking of players who need to step up, what's going on with Jamal Murray? Some may say that he's a slow starter, but the Nuggets don't have the luxury of time anymore. When they decided to trust younger players and avoid luxury tax penalties, it was with the understanding that Murray would have to play a big role on the team, not just in the playoffs, but every game.
Despite some recent improvements, the signs are still ominous. Murray is playing a career-high in minutes, but his field goal attempts and three-point percentage are the lowest they've been since the 2019-2020 season. In Wednesday's loss, he made a couple of impressive shots but lacked assertiveness, only attempting ten shots in 39 minutes and only two three-pointers. He also continues to be a defensive liability. Perhaps his lack of explosiveness can be attributed to injuries, such as his foot and ankle, but as of now, he's not playing up to the standards of his max contract. And if this is who he is, the Nuggets have invested $207 million in someone closer to the Chicago Bulls' Coby White than an All-Star.
Some may want to brush off the stats and make excuses, but let's not pretend that this isn't an issue that will continue until Murray shows more consistency and aggression on the court.
Lastly, let's talk about the bench. Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther have yet to prove themselves, and the best reserve player, Russell Westbrook, is making a case for a starting position. Right now, he's performing better than Christian Braun, who has fallen into a shooting slump, making only 3 out of 22 three-point attempts in his last ten games. So while some may want to wait and see what happens before the trade deadline in February, the question remains: how much longer can Jokic hold back?
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver's teams. And as we anxiously wait to see what the rest of the season holds for the Nuggets, one thing is for sure: changes need to be made before it's too late.
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