Amid the popular discourse surrounding the subject, Stephen A. Smith attacked the notion that the Nuggets would bring in Mavs player Luka Doncic to play alongside Nikola Jokic.
The annual focus of NBA All-Star Weekend has been on the relationship between Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, prompting speculation about the possibility of the two joining forces beyond their roles as Western Conference All-Stars.
During a discussion about the potential partnership between Jokic and Doncic, Stephen A. Smith questioned on his show why Jokic would need to play alongside Doncic, expressing admiration for Jokic’s current duo with Jamal Murray and considering the current version of the Denver Nuggets as “special” and not in need of changes.
Smith emphasized the success of the Nuggets, pointing out their impressive record of 28-11 when Jokic and Murray are in the lineup together, compared to 8-18 when they are not. He highlighted their status as the reigning defending NBA champions and praised the unique and effective partnership between Jokic and Murray, describing them as spectacular and special together.
Smith also raised stylistic considerations when contemplating the possibility of Jokic and Doncic playing together. He noted that while both players possess phenomenal talents, there could be potential limitations due to Doncic’s tendency to hold onto the ball more compared to Murray, who tends to make quicker decisions.
Highlighting the differences in playing style, Smith cautioned against assuming that pairing Jokic with Doncic would automatically enhance their performance. He suggested being cautious about such a partnership, especially considering the success Denver has achieved without Luka.
The discussion also touched upon the complex financial and trade mechanics that would be required for Doncic to team up with Jokic. Despite the challenges, NBA superstars have shown a willingness to make sacrifices to play alongside each other in the past. However, the focus remains on the Dallas Mavericks taking measures to optimize the roster around Doncic to ensure continued success.
