Just a few seasons ago, the Denver Nuggets were the most dominant team in the NBA.
Now they are still a threat in the Western Conference, but not at the level they once were.
Appearing on “Gil’s Arena,” Stephen A. Smith said the team is compromising Jokic’s success because they aren’t willing to spend the money to keep a strong team around him.
“I don’t think Jokic [feels the pressure of winning another championship] because we’ve seen Jokic be phenomenal, winning league MVPs. What you let go of Bruce Brown for? What you let go of Jeff Green for? Money, so you compromise Jokic’s success, because he still went out on the court and delivered. You see him walking around—I say it affectionately—looking like a big tub of lard, can’t jump onto a curb, and you can’t stop him. It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s unstoppable. You don’t point the finger at him,” Smith said.
The Nuggets are compromising Jokic’s success according to Stephen A. 📉 pic.twitter.com/Lo5uPj4UPc
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) August 18, 2025
The Nuggets have heard their fair share of complaints over the last several years because of roster choices.
Some fans claim the team isn’t doing enough to give Jokic the right sort of backup he needs.
It’s not about the most notable names, such as Aaron Gordon or Jamal Murray.
Instead, people say Denver needs more supporting role players, athletes who can come off the bench and chip in for five to ten minutes at a time.
They definitely tried this offseason, and the inclusion of Jonas Valanciunas has a lot of fans excited.
They think that with a capable and proven backup big man behind Jokic, the Nuggets can finally climb to the top of the West again.
Jokic hasn’t slowed down, even with his team’s troubles.
Last season, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists on 57.6 percent from the field.
He isn’t slowing down, but Jokic needs his front office to back him up even more.
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