Stephen A. Smith Gets Real After the Nuggets’ Playoff Exit, Supporting Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic has implied that they weren’t good enough. Stephen A. Smith concurred, saying he doesn’t see anything wrong with the big guy criticizing his team for not helping him enough.

Jokic seems disheartened following Sunday’s 125–93 thrashing. Throughout the series, he led the Nuggets with an average of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists per contest. However, it was insufficient. The youthful and ravenous OKC team was difficult for the Serb and his teammates to contain.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Jokic responded as follows when asked if the Nuggets were still a club capable of winning a championship:

“I mean, we didn’t. So obviously we can’t. If we could, we would win it. So, I don’t believe in those ‘ifs’ and stuff. We had our opportunity and we didn’t win it. So, I think we can’t.”

Those remarks went viral, as one could anticipate.

Stephen A. Smith talks about Nikola Jokic getting blunt

It’s not often that a team’s best player criticizes the front staff for constructing the squad poorly. Even if Jokic didn’t state it directly, it was obvious to everybody that he was avoiding the subject.

Here’s what Smith said when asked on First Take if he thought the Joker’s postgame comments were good:

“I love it. I love it because I respect the hell out of him. He’s phenomenal. I think he’s great. He was first in the league in triple-doubles, and he was second in assists at 10.2 assists per game. Third in steals, rebounds, and a career high 29.6 points per game. The brother is phenomenal, and he’s a champion.”

On an individual basis, Jokic had an amazing season, averaging 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists per contest. And perhaps he would be getting set to accept his fourth MVP award in five seasons if he hadn’t already won three and if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hadn’t been a formidable frontrunner.

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