For many, Nikola Jokic is enduring one of many worst moments of his career-and probably his closing minutes in Denver. This has nothing to do along with his basketball expertise or statistical achievements, however with the person himself. Regardless of being one of many best gamers in latest NBA historical past, Joki now faces a actuality the place successful appears out of attain.
Not often do you see a participant of such transcendent expertise battle like this-watching his teammates falter whereas he endures one in every of his hardest moments. Jokic, the 2023 NBA champion and three-time MVP, now faces the humiliation of a possible first-round exit this postseason. And for the primary time, he appears powerless to cease it.
Jokic unexpectedly exhibits his darkest facet throughout a heated timeout along with his teammates
The crew hasn’t been the identical since firing Michael Malone simply days earlier than the playoffs-for apparent causes. But Nikola completed the season because the famous person he’s, averaging a triple-double, a feat solely two different gamers in NBA historical past have achieved: Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.
Joki seems to be visibly pissed off – and rightfully so. The entrance workplace’s refusal to put money into constructing a aggressive roster round him has left the Serbian famous person with out the instruments to maintain successful. Now, with Michael Porter Jr. sidelined and Russel Westbrookn battling accidents, the scenario has deteriorated for the collection in opposition to the Clippers.
Denver suffered a humiliating 34-point defeat on the Clippers’ Intuit Dome. With Recreation 4 remaining in Los Angeles, the Nuggets now face mounting stress to keep away from returning to Colorado down 3-1. The crew desperately hopes to separate these street video games and produce the collection again to Denver tied.
The Serbian famous person is visibly uncomfortable-a surprising sight for a participant revered for his unshakable mentality. Joker is not any loser, but he is trapped in a disaster not of his making. On the peak of his profession, taking part in the very best basketball of his life, the query now burns: How lengthy will a generational expertise tolerate this? The place does he go from right here?
