Nikola Jokic stood on the training ground of the Denver arena, his gaze fixed on the distance. The core star of the Nuggets no longer wore the bright smile of a championship victory; instead, a deep concern etched across his face. As one of the top centers in the league, he demonstrated his worth with an average of 29.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, yet he could not halt the team's continuous decline.
In the locker room, an invisible rift was quietly growing. Jamal Murray sat in a corner, tidying up his gear, maintaining a distant relationship with his teammates. This season, his performance plummeted to an average of only 17.8 points, with a shooting percentage as low as 41%. The once-storming "Blue Arrow" in the playoffs now seemed lost in his own world.
"This team's problems go beyond statistical fluctuations," admitted head coach Michael Malone at a post-game press conference. "We lack communication, trust, and even the most basic team cohesion is gradually dissipating." His words conveyed a profound sense of helplessness. As the coach who led the team to win the championship, he understood more than anyone the severity of the current predicament.
Looking back over the past year and a half, the Nuggets' management decisions were like a butterfly effect, causing huge waves within the team. General Manager Calvin Booth first offered exorbitant contracts to Murray and Porter, then renewed Naji for $36 million despite him being benched. These decisions not only depleted the team's salary space but also gradually dismantled the once-smooth-running Nuggets system.
During a game against the Cavaliers, a heart-wrenching scene was etched into everyone's memory. In the final quarter, Aaron Gordon attempted to gather his teammates to discuss tactics, but Murray chose to sit alone on the bench, his gaze wandering. Jokic stood nearby, his eyes filled with helplessness. This moment seemed to encapsulate the Nuggets' current difficulties.
"Jokic is like a lonely giant," described veteran league journalist Bennett Durando. "At the peak of his 29-year-old career, he has the potential to win his fourth MVP trophy, but the team has fallen into unprecedented chaos at this critical juncture."
The Nuggets' defense was riddled with flaws, conceding an average of 117 points per game, ranking seventh highest in the league. Their three-pointers made were only 12, placing them 21st in the league. The luster of this reigning champion was fading, replaced by confusion and bewilderment.
"If Jokic applies for a trade, I can completely understand," Malone's words sparked widespread attention from the outside world. Although Jokic still had a $178 million contract for three years, the other 29 teams in the league were secretly watching the movements of this superstar.
Jokic maintained his usual low profile, saying when discussing the team's difficulties, "This is not the fault of any individual, but the entire team has fallen into trouble. We need to regain that trust and understanding." However, the disappointment in his eyes was hard to conceal.
As the season progressed, the Nuggets' problems became increasingly apparent. The bench lacked firepower, with only Westbrook occasionally providing support, while the performances of other players were disappointing. Saric and Jordan, despite their high salaries, failed to contribute effectively on the court.
The conflict between Malone and Booth was becoming increasingly public. The coaching staff hoped to seize Jokic's prime to make another championship run, while management was fixated on developing young players. This ideological divide was tearing apart the once-champion team.
Several league executives privately stated that Jokic's patience was being gradually worn down. This super center, hailed as the "modern Wilt Chamberlain," deserved a better stage. If the Nuggets' management fails to adjust direction in time, the possibility of Jokic leaving Denver will increase day by day.
As night fell, the empty arena was left with only the sound of Jokic shooting baskets alone. The Serbian giant persisted, but his future, as well as the fate of the Nuggets, seemed shrouded in a mist. This former champion team is facing the test of its darkest hour.