Nuggets: Takeaways from the Cavaliers game
Although Millsap has been solid in his return, there are questions about how he and Nikola Jokic can co-exist.
Since Millsap’s return, the Twittersphere has been abuzz with all manner of critique of this Nuggets squad.
Denver Nuggets
While I’ve often questioned Coach Malone’s rotations (still do, we need the bench fixtures to be ready to play, should we need them), I can’t quite get on board with the notion that he or the Nuggets staff is doing harm to Jokic’s game. Ultimately, what I see from the Serbian big man is that he’s attuned to and comfortable with his game and status. He is the ultimate teammate, his team and its success are more important to him than his personal statistics.
Nikola’s game began to accelerate after last year’s all-star break. He doesn’t even have a full season of elevated statistics that we can stand on. His February numbers are stellar, his season numbers are far more pedestrian. Even with his performances in the second half of last season, the Nuggets did not make the postseason. With Millsap out and Jokic playing, the Nuggets are on the bubble to make the playoffs this season.
I am not trying to undermine Jokic’s play or contribution, I’m trying to temper the perception of him (particularly in Denver) versus the reality of where he’s at. Keep in mind, he just turned 23.
Lately, there have been indicators that he’s every bit of that 23 years-old. He’s pouty, takes bad fouls after he doesn’t get calls, he has been timid when we need him to be bold. For a guy that proclaims he is totally in charge of his game and he’ll shoot when he wants to shoot, he lets a lot of the blame for his current dip fall on his teammates or coaching staff.
Let’s be fair, too, a dip for Nikola still has him among the best big men in the Association. His disconnect with Millsap is far more minor than is being sold and Millsap is not his problem.
When Jokic goes into these swoons, we start wondering if he’s tired or disappointed in some facet of the Nuggets’ game. The tendency is to look around for justification but Jokic himself has said the buck stops with him.
It’s okay to say he’s played poorly and that it’s his fault. He isn’t fragile, he won’t buckle to criticism. If anything, he responds, he works through.
Paul Millsap is the most recognized, best player on the Nuggets roster, league-wide. If that creates issue for Nikola, he’s going to have to step up and deal with it. Like everyone else does. It’s not up to Michael Malone to appease egos.
Not when every game is do-or-die.