Players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, etc., are huge bonuses for a particular NBA side. They can elevate a team to a different level, as witnessed in the last few years. Hence, the NBA sides should build around them if they want to contend for a title. Notably, former head coach George Karl addressed this topic regarding the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic recently.
Karl recently expressed his displeasure on X with the Denver Nuggets’ attempts to surround Nikola Jokic with a championship-caliber team. Karl voiced his disappointment by comparing the Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors, citing their structure around Stephen Curry. The Warriors and Curry won 4 NBA titles over the past decade. However, Karl doesn’t think the Nuggets are helping Jokic out.
When a team has the fortune of landing a generational player like Curry or Jokic, it should do all it can to capitalize on that player’s greatness – and win as many championships as possible. The Warriors did with Curry. Will the Nuggets with Jokic? It’s shaky right now.
George Karl via X
The comments of George Karl match the thoughts of many Nuggets supporters. They also have been unhappy with the team’s actions during the past two offseasons. After winning the NBA title in 2023, the Nuggets had difficulties protecting their crown the following season. To add insult to injury, they lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason, who was instrumental in their championship run.
When a team has the fortune of landing a generational player, like Curry or Jokic, it should do all it can to capitalize on that player’s greatness – and win as many championships as possible.
The Warriors did with Curry. Will the Nuggets with Jokic? It’s shaky right now. pic.twitter.com/JkUgQt5umj
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) September 14, 2024
Valuable additions to the team would have resulted in more success. In addition, their head coach, Michael Malone, is reportedly upset with the Nuggets’ board over certain decisions concerning their roster. Unless the young players in the team improve massively, it doesn’t appear that the Nuggets will make a deep playoff run this season.
Basketball analyst lashes out at Denver Nuggets for signing Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook‘s loudest and most constant critic has been Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer and the Mismtach Podcast. O’Connor has remained anti-Westbrook for most of his career, and he still blames Russ for shooting more than Kevin Durant during the 2012 Finals.
Notably, Westbrook secured a move to the Denver Nuggets ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. The move remains questionable, as it doesn’t make the Nuggets a championship contender. They need valuable role players to help out Nikola Jokic. As such, Kevin O’Connor destroyed the Nuggets for signing Russell Westbrook.
I don’t feel great about this (Westbrook signing for Nuggets) for the Nuggets. They already are lacking shooting. And now you add Russell Westbrook? How is he supposed to share the floor with some of their other subpar shooters? Nikola Jokic seems to make it work with everyone, so that’s the only hope.
Kevin O’Connor via X
I don’t feel great about this for the Nuggets. They already are lacking shooting. And now you add Russell Westbrook? How is he supposed to share the floor with some of their other subpar shooters? Nikola Jokic seems to make it work with everyone, so that’s the only hope.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 18, 2024
Particularly, on the July 23rd episode of the Mismatch with Chris Vernon, O’Connor noted his criticisms of Westbrook as he spoke about his fit with the Denver Nuggets. O’Connor was initially cautious, going so far as to pronounce Westbrook “unfixable.” Hence, watching how Westbrook will perform for the Nuggets in the 2024-25 NBA season will be interesting.
