
News
September 01, 2025
ESPN expert says his view of Denver Nuggets as legitimate title contender has changed, comments on Nikola Jokic
The 2024-25 season had a superb MVP race between Nikola Jokic and eventual winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It was a magical season by Jokic on the statistical side, but the Oklahoma City Thunder star also deserved it.
## ESPN Analyst Reconsiders Nuggets' Title Chances Despite Jokic's Stellar Season
An ESPN basketball analyst has publicly stated that his perception of the Denver Nuggets' chances of contending for the NBA championship in the upcoming season has shifted, despite another phenomenal year from their superstar center, Nikola Jokic. While the analyst acknowledges Jokic's continued dominance and statistical brilliance during the recently concluded 2024-25 season, factors beyond the Serbian sensation's individual performance are influencing his revised outlook.
The analyst pointed to the intensely competitive MVP race between Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a key context for his changing views. He emphasized that Jokic's season was undeniably "magical" from a statistical standpoint, highlighting the center's consistently high level of play and impactful contributions to the Nuggets' success. However, he also stressed the undeniable merit of Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP win, suggesting that the Thunder star's performance and leadership ultimately swayed voters.
This acknowledgement of Gilgeous-Alexander's deserved victory hints at a deeper concern for the Nuggets. The analyst's revised opinion seemingly stems from the rise of other strong teams in the Western Conference, specifically mentioning the Oklahoma City Thunder and their impressive showing. While Jokic remains a force to be reckoned with, the analyst seems to believe that the Nuggets may face tougher competition than previously anticipated.
The expert did not explicitly detail the exact reasons for his shift in perspective, leaving some ambiguity about the specific challenges he foresees for Denver. However, the implication is clear: while Nikola Jokic continues to perform at an MVP level, the Nuggets will need to address potential weaknesses and adapt to the evolving landscape of the NBA if they hope to seriously contend for the title. Further analysis is expected in the coming weeks, where the analyst will likely elaborate on the specific areas where he believes the Nuggets need to improve.
An ESPN basketball analyst has publicly stated that his perception of the Denver Nuggets' chances of contending for the NBA championship in the upcoming season has shifted, despite another phenomenal year from their superstar center, Nikola Jokic. While the analyst acknowledges Jokic's continued dominance and statistical brilliance during the recently concluded 2024-25 season, factors beyond the Serbian sensation's individual performance are influencing his revised outlook.
The analyst pointed to the intensely competitive MVP race between Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a key context for his changing views. He emphasized that Jokic's season was undeniably "magical" from a statistical standpoint, highlighting the center's consistently high level of play and impactful contributions to the Nuggets' success. However, he also stressed the undeniable merit of Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP win, suggesting that the Thunder star's performance and leadership ultimately swayed voters.
This acknowledgement of Gilgeous-Alexander's deserved victory hints at a deeper concern for the Nuggets. The analyst's revised opinion seemingly stems from the rise of other strong teams in the Western Conference, specifically mentioning the Oklahoma City Thunder and their impressive showing. While Jokic remains a force to be reckoned with, the analyst seems to believe that the Nuggets may face tougher competition than previously anticipated.
The expert did not explicitly detail the exact reasons for his shift in perspective, leaving some ambiguity about the specific challenges he foresees for Denver. However, the implication is clear: while Nikola Jokic continues to perform at an MVP level, the Nuggets will need to address potential weaknesses and adapt to the evolving landscape of the NBA if they hope to seriously contend for the title. Further analysis is expected in the coming weeks, where the analyst will likely elaborate on the specific areas where he believes the Nuggets need to improve.
Category:
Sports