Former NBA player Evan Turner shared on social media that he doesn’t want to see Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic play again.
I sound like a hater but I don't wanna see Jokic play another game
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 20, 2024
Turner compared watching Jokic to watching baseball, an interesting way to talk about the three-time league MVP.
It's like watching baseball
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 20, 2024
Jokic’s style of play is very different from those of a lot of players, especially those that have played the center position. He’s a terrific passer for his size, averaging 9.0 assists per game this season and 6.9 assists per game for his career.
While he’s not the most athletic player in the NBA, Jokic has great touch around the rim, and he’s become a serviceable 3-point shooter as well, hitting at least 33.7 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in each of the last four seasons.
Jokic led the Nuggets to an NBA title in the 2022-23 season, but he wasn’t able to get Denver back to the top of the league this season.
Despite earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves after losing Games 1, 2 and 7 on their home floor.
Jokic put together a strong showing in Game 7, scoring 34 points while adding 19 rebounds, seven assists and one block, but it wasn’t enough to carry Denver to a win.
Turner didn’t stop taking shots at Jokic after Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves upset Denver in Game 7.
Why would Jokic get mad that Ant Man waved to the crowd??
I thought he didn't care about basketball…
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 20, 2024
Even though Jokic is a three-time MVP, it doesn’t appear that he has earned love and respect from the entire NBA community.
Turner, who played in the NBA from the 2010-11 season through the 2019-20 season, likely won’t get his wish of not having to watch Jokic again.
The Nuggets star is just 29 years old, and he has a bright future ahead of him if he can keep playing at such a high level. Jokic’s game isn’t predicated on his athleticism, which may help him last longer in the NBA since he doesn’t need extreme speed or leaping ability to be effective.
For now, Jokic and the Nuggets will focus on improving this coming offseason to make another run at a title in the 2024-25 season.
