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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Nikola Jokić surpassed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic to become the Most Valuable Player for the third time. It was the ninth time in NBA history for a player to receive the award three or more times. But Jokić’s reaction to the whole thing has fans concerned. Of course, his response was in the most standard Jokić fashion ever. And the fact they were down 0-2, courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves, at their home court, has them sweating buckets.

Add the Nuggets’ coach’s vote of confidence in their opponent, Anthony Edwards isn’t doing any favor, either. “There’s no weaknesses in his game. And it’s going to be a hell of a challenge trying to slow him down,” Malone said after Game 1 loss. A challenge, indeed! Fans can’t help but wonder if it is a challenge Denver is ready for.

“This “I don’t care this is just a job” mindset is gonna bite the Nuggets in the ass when they realize it affects his effort down 2-0,” one fan, one very worried fan, should we say, commented after watching the 3x MVP celebrate his latest award.

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It is not the first time that Nikola Jokić has been under fire for allegedly viewing the NBA as a 9-5 job. It particularly gained popularity after revealing his love for horses. While it was more or less used in comical memes and posts, this above fan was not playing around. Nor was Jamal Murray or coach Michael Malone.

Although Murray didn’t have much to say for himself, given the state of the past 2 games, there was no mistaking his visible frustration and anger at the losses. In addition to throwing a heat pack and towel to the floor twice in Game 2, he left without answering questions for the second straight game. While he might have escaped a tech for the throw, if Murray continues avoiding reporters, it is more than likely that he will face the consequences.

Malone, for his part, threw a fit and got into it with the official. But luck seems to be on their side as the crew chief said that there was nothing unsportsmanlike in the Nuggets’ coach’s behavior. Just a very annoyed coach, not happy getting thrashed by a 22-year-old and his gang.

Well, Denver would do well to know that their fans are equally, if not more, mad at them.

Nikola Jokić’s attitude post the MVP honor has fans agreeing that “they’re cooked”

Talking to reporters after hearing about his third MVP award, Jokić had an interesting response. “To be honest, I liked last year when I didn’t win it and we won a championship much better.” The Serbian center won the MVPs for two years straight (2021, 2022) and then skipped the championship year to finally land it again in 2024. If we were to look at it optimistically, one might say that the year the 6’11 big man went without an MVP was the year they won their first title.

Unfortunately, that isn’t how Nuggets fans view it. This fan made quite the observation reading Jokić’s reply. “Sounds like he has a bad attitude about his team now. Kind of shocking.”

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It is indeed shocking! Usually, when people talk about Nikola and his effect on the team, it is to say that he uplifts them. LeBron James himself hailed him for the same and pointed out that it was the true mark of a great. So, this fan’s observation needs more study.

The next user here stated incredulously, “Oh so he knows they’re cooked.” Although this looks more like a rhetorical statement, the idea of the Nuggets already cooked might not sit well with many fans. In fact, this next one here, @bobnetherlands, has the same idea. “Blud knows he’s getting swept.” 

Yet, Anthony Edwards himself pointed out that they are the defending champions for a reason. “It worked in our favor tonight, man. That’s all that was,” he iterated after the Game 2 victory.

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Finally, this fan, in a roundabout way, seems to be comforting and calling him out at the same time. “He talking like a guy who team is down 0-3.” A factor that many seem to dismiss. Anyway, it won’t be too long before we know if the Nuggets can return the favor to the Wolves at Target Center. After all, Minnesota clinched the 2-0 lead at Denver.

Young as Edwards is, he and Karl Anthony-Towns are wise enough to know that Game 3 Nuggets won’t be the same as Games 1 and 2. So, stay tuned!