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Nuggets: Takeaways from the Mavericks loss

By Michael Longhofer

Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX - MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386
Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX - MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386 /
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Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX – MARCH 6: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928303068
Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX – MARCH 6: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928303068 /

We have anointed Nikola Jokic a superstar.  We’ve labeled him the face of the franchise, the leader, the best player on the team.

If you really look at him, statistically and empirically, is he any of those things?

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

A superstar that averages 14.1 points per game for a career is a hard sell.  He blows up sometimes for 30, he puts up triple-doubles but he scores 14.1 points per game.  Michael Jordan, a superstar, averaged 31.5 points per game for his career with the Bulls. Evan Fournier, not a superstar averages 17.1.  The blend of Nikola’s passing, rebounding and scoring give him somewhat higher marks but he has become a serious defensive liability and that is also a hard sell. Nikola is not a superstar and I’m not sure I see a budding superstar in his game.  He is a novelty and its wearing off.

The face of the Nuggets franchise, historically is Dan Issel, in my opinion.  Issel has been involved in Nuggets basketball for better than 40 years. He also averaged 20.7 points, eight rebounds and 5 assists in his tenure in Denver.  The modern face of the Franchise is Carmelo Anthony.  As much as I’m still hurt by his leaving, he was the guy that pushed the Nuggets further than they’d really ever been.  He’s the guy they chanted ‘MVP’ at that actually had a shot at the award.  The face of the current squad is Gary Harris. Gary Harris of the game-winner against the Thunder, the game-sealing three against Memphis.  Gary Harris with 32 in Cleveland.  Gary Harris.

Speaking of Gary Harris, he’s also the best player on the Nuggets squad.  Compared to Jokic, Millsap is better, Barton might be better and Jamal will be better.

Jokic has taken to pouting about something.  Whether it’s Millsap’s return, officiating or Coach Malone matters little.  If Nikola has any desire to earn the superlatives that the Denver media have lobbed at him, he will have to rise above his perceptions.  That is leadership, the high road is always the example that should be set.  It is not up to Malone to nurture Jokic and his fragility. It is up to Jokic to either seize the opportunity to be the man for the Nuggets or to step aside.  His current demeanor indicates he may want to step aside.

Nuggets fans should be prepared for the fall.  We’ve seen it so many times in so many venues that we’ve almost become oblivious.  There’s a reason 40 teams passed on him in the draft.  There’s a reason guys fall to the second round.  There’s a reason Pop and Kerr and all of the other respected coaches in the league took a pass on the Serbian big.

Maybe we are seeing that reason play out.  In case we are short of memory, Jokic went into a similar swoon after big production last season and the Nuggets squandered a playoff spot.

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