After the Nuggets’ Saturday night loss to the now 4–13 Kings, which was only their fourth game of the season, Nikola Jokic expressed some pessimism about his team’s prospects.
Jokic, a three-time MVP and NBA champion, is aware of what it takes to win an NBA championship, and it appears he doesn’t believe the Nuggets have it yet.
Jokic stated:
“I think 12–4, it’s not the real picture,”. “I think we are not that good. I think we need to be much better if we want to do something big. Yes, we’ve played better. We look better. But I think we need to consistently, every night, every possession.”
Nikola Jokić after the loss to the Kings:
“I think that 12-4 is not the real picture. I think we are not that good. I think we need to be much better if we want to do something big.”
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With a record of 12–4 through the first month or so of the season, the Nuggets are undoubtedly doing well this year. However, Jokic believes the team can accomplish much more as a unit.
The Thunder, the current NBA champion, are leading the league with a 16-1 record, and there are some hot NBA teams this season. Perhaps Jokic is drawing comparisons between the Nuggets and these other elite clubs. It’ll be a true test when Denver faces those squads.
Despite his misgivings about the Nuggets as a whole, Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season this year. He has averaged 30.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.8 assists through 16 games. His rebound and assist averages lead the league.
