Nikola Jokic flunks a big test against the Lakers, raising red flags

With great power comes great responsibility. That’s how the saying goes, best known as “The Peter Parker Principle” because it was the mantra bestowed upon Spider-Man.

Well in the Mile High City, it could be applied to Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets center has been given a lot, namely a five-year, $147 million contract, and a lot is now expected of him.

Coming off of a season in which he was selected first-team All-NBA, the first Denver player to achieve that status since David Thompson in 1978, the sky was the limit for the big man. At just 24, he was already being considered an MVP candidate.

Through 18 games, however, this season has been a major disappointment for Jokic. His scoring is down (from 201.1 to 15.4), as are his rebounds (10.8 to 10.1) and assists (7.3 to 6.1). But numbers are only part of the story.

In large chunks of games, Jokic has looked generally disinterested. It’s to the point where Michael Malone has already had to pull him aside and talk to him about being more assertive. That’s troubling when the head coach is having one-on-one conversations in the first quarter of the season.

The Nuggets have hitched their wagon to Jokic, but not just financially. They’ve built their team to run through him, as their offense is based around his unique skill set. So when he’s not playing well, or simply not engaged, Denver’s attack bogs down.

That’s led to big deficits in games, most of which the Nuggets have overcome. And it’s resulted in a few blown leads, which finally caught up to Denver in Sacramento.

Last night, with the best team in the NBA in town, people hoped Jokic would answer the bell. Surely, he’d be ready to go against Anthony Davis, who many consider the true best big man in basketball, and the Lakers.

But that didn’t happen. On the night, Jokic put up an extremely pedestrian line of 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. And he was thoroughly outplayed by Davis, who scored 25 and grabbed 10 boards.

As a result, the local media finally started to turn on the Nuggets big man. Despite their inclination to give him the benefit of the doubt, because Denver has been longing for a basketball star for so long, they couldn’t hold back anymore. It was time to call out Jokic.

Here’s just a sampling of the comments that were posted on social media after the game:

LeBron James took the Lakers/Nuggets matchup personally from the first possession. Nikola Jokic didn't…on any possession. Until The Joker fully embraces the mantle of responsibility on a nightly basis the Nuggets have a ceiling. Jokic is coasting, and it's costing Denver.

— Zach Bye (@byesline) December 4, 2019

Nuggets are a good to great team but there’s a hard ceiling on that until their best player decides he likes the game of basketball again. Imo.

— Brendan Vogt (@BrendanVogt) December 4, 2019

You barely even notice Jokic out there any more. 3 points on 3 shots in the half. Just barely involved. And doesn't MAKE himself involved.

— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) December 4, 2019

And the national media got into the act too. Last night, Jokic was on the big stage and came up woefully short.

Anthony Davis is making an early bid for Defensive Player of the Year as well as MVP. Tonight, he made Jokic look like he doesn't belong in the NBA. Just terrorized him, took him out of the game mentally and physically.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 4, 2019

Anthony Davis had five defensive possessions at the close of the game where he ate up Jokic in the post twice and three times Murray went at him and got nothing. Tough to run the Jokic/Murray screen into AD. Davis was awesome.

— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) December 4, 2019

Anthony Davis would currently receive my vote for Defensive Player of the Year. Long way to go, but he's playing the best defense of his life now with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/dufUHWrQmb

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 4, 2019

If the Nuggets are going to be a legit contender, Jokic is going to have to be better. His teammates certainly know that.

Barton on the offense and Jokic: “We’ve got to play through him. Every year that’s what’s going to work best for us. We’re a good team when he’s not scoring but we’re a great team when he’s being dominant down there and we have championship potential when he’s cooking…” (1/2)

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 4, 2019

“…and we know it. We can get away with it some games and beat teams, but to be the team that we want to be we’ve got to play through him.” (2/2)

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 4, 2019

But does Jokic know it?

Nikola Jokic: “Right now I’m struggling, so coach, he’s a smart guy, he’s not going to give the ball to the guy who’s not making shots. I’m cool with it. I’m good.”

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 4, 2019

That doesn’t sound like the comments from someone who is going to carry a team to a championship.

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