The NBA All-Star Game took place on Sunday afternoon, and for the most part, the reviews were positive. The first three mini games were highly competitive, all coming down to the last seconds, and the level of competition remained high through all four 12-minute periods of basketball. Overall, it was a huge success for the league.
Still, there was plenty of backlash, especially on social media, and lots of it was directed at three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The conversation was started in part by Daman Rangoola of Offside, who tweeted out that Jokic’s “apathy stuck out like a sore thumb” and that it’s “lame as hell” that Jokic feels no duty to the league in this regard.
Jokic played the opening 5 minutes, missing his only shot attempt and recording 2 defensive rebounds before calling it a night. He didn’t play in the rest of that game or any of the next game for the World Team, which was the first team eliminated from the mini tournament.
The conversation raged online for hours, with some defending Jokic, but most calling him out for disrespecting the game and wanting the perks that come along with being a superstar, without fulfilling the unwritten duties to the game and league.
Jokic has no obligation to appease fans and media
People can get up in arms about this if they want, but it is what it is. Jokic has never sought out the limelight or craved attention. He has just gone about his business and done everything possible to help the Nuggets win basketball games. He graciously accepted MVP Awards and other honors, but things like being the “face of the league” have no appeal to him.
Now, is it a shame that he doesn’t want to go out and put on a show for kids and his many fans? Absolutely. It would be great to see. But it’s not a requirement. Any fan who cares more about that than the effort he has given throughout the course of his career in the regular season and playoffs has their priorities completely misaligned.
He’s not some perfect, infallible figure, and if the topic is criticizing players for lack of effort in the All-Star Game, his name should be one of the first ones mentioned. But it’s not a big deal. He isn’t the first superstar to be dismissive of the event, and he certainly won’t be the last.
Nobody can question Jokic’s effort when it counts
I care far more about the fact that he is drama-free, never has been tied to a single off-court issue, and continually strives to win at the highest level. His effort level, or drive to win, has never been questioned in games that matter, and that’s what’s most important.
Furthermore, this year he has a legitimate excuse. Jokic missed 16 games with a knee injury that he is still just returning from. He hasn’t looked great in his first few games back, and he easily could have skipped All-Star weekend in general, but at least he went out there and played five minutes for his fans.
It’s absurd enough that he may have to overtax himself in the regular season just to hit a made-up threshold for him to be able to win awards and be eligible for All-NBA, but now he’s catching heat for effort in the All-Star Game? Come on, now.