NBA legend Scottie Pippen delivered bold praise for Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic may have missed out on this season’s MVP honors and a championship run, but his dominance on the court remains undeniable. In 70 games, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists improving his last season’s performances. These numbers show his consistent impact on both ends of the floor. Considering his imposing impact, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen did not hold back. He praised the Denver Nuggets star for his all-around talent.

“I’ve been looking at uh Jokic and it’s like… I think we’ve all missed out on how great this guy been the last two years…When I watched this guy play, I can only say, like — How do the best player in basketball not get picked in a pickup game? I’m like wow,” stated Scottie Pippen in a talk with Stacey King in 2023.

Although those comments were made some time ago, Nikola Jokic has only improved his performance since then. This 2024–25 season was the first in his career where he averaged a triple-double. Moreover, he stood out despite major challenges. The head coach Michael Malone was fired just weeks before the postseason began. In addition, the roster showed clear signs of struggle. Even so, Jokic helped push the team to a Game 7 against one of the league’s best: the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nikola Jokic is already 30 years old and has just one NBA championship to his name. With his prime years in full swing, the Denver Nuggets face mounting pressure to build a stronger, more reliable roster around their franchise star. While Jokic continues to deliver elite individual performances, the team has consistently fallen short of matching his level of play.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 23, 2024.

During the postseason, he lacked consistent support from his teammates, a key factor in Denver’s inability to make a deep playoff run. Nikola himself has acknowledged that changes are necessary if the Nuggets hope to contend for another title.

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According to Sam Amico, the Denver Nuggets have no plans to part with their core championship players. That group includes Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr, Christian Braun, and, of course, Nikola Jokic. This stance shows the team’s commitment to continuity and long-term success.

However, the Nuggets still need to bolster their roster. They aim to stay competitive in a tough Western Conference. Yet, without the option to trade any core players, adding a major piece becomes difficult. Therefore, the front office must explore creative solutions to strengthen the roster without disrupting the team’s core project.