Maybe it’s a sort of coping mechanism, maybe it’s a sense of insecurity, false bravado, machismo, or maybe it’s just delusion. But for whatever reason, past and current NBA players can’t stop taking shots at Nikola Jokic.
In some cases, it seems like his greatness is threatening even to legends of the game. In some cases, it even feels like people are struggling to come to terms with what they’re watching and how to properly evaluate it.
Jokic’s game doesn’t look like typical elite NBA players. He’s not a flashy dunker, a three-point bomber, or a freak athlete. But he just continues to defy all odds and rewrite the NBA history books at every turn. You’d think three MVP Awards (and counting) would be enough to end any skepticism or debates, but there are still critics out there.
Don’t get me wrong, Jokic has plenty of supporters and respecters out there. Kevin Durant recently called him a top 10 player of all time and days later Klay Thompson dubbed him the best center he had ever played against.
But we’ve also seen former and current star players like Dwyane Wade and Anthony Edwards send some disrespect towards Jokic in recent months. It doesn’t make much sense, but for whatever reason, it does keep happening. Maybe that’s just what comes along with being the greatest player in the world.
Brunson questions Jokic’s MVP case on podcast
The most recent player to make some eyebrow-raising comments about Jokic is Jalen Brunson, the star point guard of the New York Knicks. Brunson has a podcast with his Knicks and Villanova teammate, Josh Hart, called the Roommates Show.
On a recent episode, the two were discussing the MVP race and Brunson suggested that there is a double standard in the media and bias towards Jokic. He explained that Jokic is putting up good numbers, but the Nuggets aren’t as good as last season.
He also stuck up for his former teammate in Dallas, saying that Luka Doncic was averaging near a triple-double last season but wasn’t considered for MVP due to seeding. He claimed the same thing is happening this season with Jokic, yet it’s not hurting his campaign for the award.
Brunson exposing the media: “Jokić is playing absolutely absurd, but they are not seeded like last season, and people are still talking about him like being the MVP. When Luka was averaging damn near triple-double, they were like ‘oh, he shouldn’t win MVP because of his seeding’. pic.twitter.com/Qrdd2JGvY7
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) January 12, 2025
Brunson’s argument makes no sense
Brunson misses a few key points in his dialogue here. For one, the Nuggets are currently the 4th seed in the West and they are within arms reach of the 2 seed. It’s not like they are wallowing down in the mix for a play-in spot.
Beyond that, Jokic’s stats are on another level from what we’ve seen other stars do in past seasons. He’s also carrying a larger burden for his team considering his supporting cast whereas Doncic shared the court with fellow all-star Kyrie Irving; Jokic doesn’t have a teammate close to that level.
Yet again, this whole situation is another case of somebody spouting off nonsense about Jokic that isn’t based on any actual facts, but just feelings. Brunson comes off as petty and clearly favoring his buddy Doncic.