The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is on February 18 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game will feature some of the NBA’s elite talent from LeBron James to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Inexplicably, the defending champion Denver Nuggets only have one All-Star selection in Nikola Jokic.
Nikola Jokic’s All-Star Season
The Denver Nuggets limped into the All-Star break having lost three straight games. Coach Michael Malone and his staff must use the break to regroup and find a way to get back on track. Being the defending champs, the Nuggets understand that they came into the season with a target on their backs. Jokic has done his part to help Denver chase down Minnesota in the standings. Even though he is the Nuggets’ best player, the defending champs were severely overlooked when it came to All-Star selections.
A Team Full Of All-Stars
When NBA fans think of the Denver Nuggets, the first player to come to mind is Nikola Jokic. With teammates Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray contributing on both sides of the floor, the Nuggets are not a one-man team. Based on the lack of Nuggets packing their suitcases for Indy, players and fans are searching for answers. One player is Murray. He is averaging 20.5 points per game to go along with 3.9 rebounds. Those numbers are not eye-popping, but they are worthy of an All-Star selection. Furthermore, the Nuggets play their best when Jokic and Murray are on the floor together.
Adding Fuel To The Nikola Jokic Fire
The Denver Nuggets will undoubtedly use Nikola Jokic’s All-Star selection to fuel a playoff run this season. When the Nuggets resume play on February 22 against Washington, look for them to play aggressively. During their final 27 regular season games, they will have a chance to prove themselves. In addition, they will prove that the “Joker” wasn’t the only Nugget who deserved to be an All-Star.
Nikola Jokic’s Solo All-Star Journey
Nikola Jokic is the type of player who focuses on the team aspect of basketball. Heading into the break on a three-game skid was not how the “Joker” envisioned the first-half ending. The Nuggets began their quest for a repeat on a hot streak, winning eight of their first 10 games. #15 looked like a two-time MVP and had Denver in prime position to reign atop the Western Conference yet again. However, the Nuggets currently find themselves three games behind first-place Minnesota. If they want to surge back into playoff contention, Jokic must build upon his already impressive season.
Nikola Jokic’s Ultimate Goal
While Nikola Jokic will certainly put on a show in Indianapolis, the Denver Nuggets want their show as a contender to be the main attraction. Gone are the days of the Nuggets being a team others overlook. Instead, general manager Calvin Booth has assembled a team that is a perennial title contender. If Denver hopes to have more All-Star selections in the future, they will need to return to their winning ways. For now, Jokic will have to carry the All-Star torch.
About The Author
Christopher Svancara has been a passionate fan of basketball, baseball, and football since he was young. He also has a passion for expressing himself through his writing. His favorite aspect of writing about sports is uncovering the hidden stories about players and teams. As a Colorado native and an alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder, Svancara developed a passion for a variety of Colorado sports teams. His favorite teams are the Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets. He loves to attend sporting events to watch the drama unfold in person. Sharing the excitement of these moments with his readers is what motivates him to be a sports writer for Total Apex Sports.
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