Nikola Jokic scored 34 points for the Denver Nuggets against the Portland Trailblazers. They could have won that game, all he needed to was jump, according to his critics.
Anfernee Simons scored the game-winning lay-up at the buzzer to give his team the 126-124 victory after getting past Russell Westbrook who has been tremendous defensively all-day long.
He even had a huge block on Simons with the game tied at 120 and with just 1:02 minutes remaining.
With the game tied at 124-124, Westbrook tried all his might to prevent the shifty guard from scoring but the Blazers guard caught him in a lull, drove to his right for an easy lay-in.
The internet was surprisingly not on Westbrook’s case for that play. Instead, Jokic is getting most of the blame.
jokic really a cone bro https://t.co/VLIfVVHR1z
— stepping back and observing (@XxTweetsAlot) December 20, 2024
Many thought Jokic should have been the last line of defense in that play but he was not there. He did not even jump.
Internet roasts Nikola Jokic for poor defense
“Is this your king?” one user asked after the Nuggets’ heartbreaking loss.
Jokic has been dominating MVP conversations but many are questioning takes that he should be no. 1 on the list. Some even thought that what he comes up with are just empty stats.
In the 4th quarter Nikola Jokic was 3/3 from FG, 4/4 from FT with 2 assist and 1 STL and tied the game up in the final minute but the Nuggets need him to ALSO be a better rim protector since they lack true POA defenders to contain guards.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) December 20, 2024
The “Best Player In The World” didn’t even TRY to contest a game-winning layup right in his face. Let’s not forget that Jokić is 7’0 and Anfernee Simons is 6’3…
Is This Your King? https://t.co/wKNJ4i2F3A
— HiNote. 🛸 (@HiNoteee) December 20, 2024
They even compared his ‘cone defense’ to that up Giannis Antetokounmpo who is willing to jump on any shot.
Giannis is swatting this shit out of the galaxy and Jokic didn’t even jump. https://t.co/XJRDaDh5CJ
— SpaceMan (@ManOfSpace_MH) December 20, 2024
Anfernee Simons with the game winner over Russ as Portland upset over Denver (Jokic has to help here) pic.twitter.com/QvAr0FJZrq
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) December 20, 2024
Some are coming for Westbrook’s defense.
We are approaching halfway through the season and I haven’t seen this dude criticize Jokic defense even once. Just once. https://t.co/cN6CR5cGjv
— 08-17 Russ fan (@TheWestbrookEra) December 20, 2024
With the loss, the Nuggets have fallen to 14-11, or 6th spot in the Western Conference standings. They are now 5-5 in their last ten.
Next up for them are the New Orleans Pelicans.
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