Compared to last season, the Denver Nuggets are clearly underperforming. Nikola Jokic is clearly one of the main reasons for their struggles as he fails to reproduce his incredible numbers from the 2018-19 season.
However, he himself knows that he could and should perform better if the Nuggets are going to improve from their 14-8 record and position themselves closer to the first overall seed they got last year.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps wrote a compelling piece about the slight decline the Denver big man has experienced this season. The things he wrote gives an interesting look at the current situation of the Nuggets.
“I don't know,” he said. “I'm averaging 16, 10 and six. I think that's pretty good, to be honest.”
It was the kind of line — delivered in a deadpan that made it tough to tell whether it was serious or a joke — that made Jokic's postgame press conferences during last year's playoffs, when he would famously fiddle with the microphone in front of him, as entertaining as his play.
And, in fact, he has a point — he's the only player currently hitting each of those statistical marks.
But, after a beat, Jokic decided he had more to say.
“I showed myself I can play at a completely [higher] level, especially in the playoffs,” Jokic said. “But I think I need to get back to that level.”
He was talking about last season, where he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists on 51% shooting. His stellar performance has become a key component for the Nuggets' 54-28 record and the second seed in the playoffs. They eventually fell to the Portland Trail Blazers after a thrilling seven-game series, but it was a positive sign for Denver.
Jokic must find his mojo again and get himself back into this 2018-19 form. The Nuggets need him to perform all the more now as the West is a wildland when it comes to the number of stacked teams available.
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