The Denver Nuggets had a rough start to their season Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They shot just 18.3% from three-point range in their 102-87 loss. Nuggets center and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was not shy when telling reporters what he thought about the current team.
“We don’t shoot the ball really good, we’re not a good shooting team, except [Michael Porter Jr.] and Jamal [Murray],” Jokic said. “All of us are kind of streaky, not streaky, but you know just average shooters.”
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Jokic’s statements are definitely backed up by numbers. Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther combined shot just 2-of-19 from three. Denver’s offseason was mostly uneventful and after losing one of their better shooters in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, their biggest signing over the summer was Westbrook, who is infamously inefficient from deep.
Jokic continued his statements by saying the Nuggets could dominate the game in other areas, which may be true. But if they want to make another run at the NBA Finals, trading for one or two shooters to put around Jokic might be the only way to do so.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
