In Photos: Nikola Jokic all smiles with soccer legend Thierry Henry during Abu Dhabi showdown

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets faced the Boston Celtics in the first preseason game of the NBA on Friday. Among the big names in attendance at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena was French football legend Thierry Henry. The Nuggets lost the game 107-103.

Henry and Jokic met during the pregame practice. They engaged in conversation and clicked selfies.

The Nuggets shared the pictures of Henry and Jokic on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption:

"Legendary linkup 🤝."

The former Arsenal star wore a green denim jacket while Jokic was in his pregame outfit.

Nikola Jokic posing with Thierry Henry (Image Credits: X/Denver Nuggets)

Nikola Jokic with Henry (Image Credits: X/Denver Nuggets)

Jokic with Henry (Image Credits: X/Denver Nuggets)

Thierry Henry is one of the greatest players in soccer history. He was part of one of the best eras of French soccer with former teammate Zinedine Zidane.

On the other hand, Nikola Jokic is coming back after winning a bronze medal with Serbia at the Paris Olympics. The Nuggets star led his team to the semifinals before falling short against the loaded Team USA.

Charles Barkley says the Nuggets did a disservice to Nikola Jokic amidst tension in Denver

In the last two seasons, the Denver Nuggets have been arguably the best team in the NBA, and Nikola Jokic has been the best player. The Nuggets won their first title in the 2022-23 season, and even last year, they were one of the favorites to win it all.

While they still have a chance for another title, according to Clutch Points, the Nuggets front office is focused on their young players' development.

Zach Lowe reported growing tension between the coaching staff and the front office in Denver.

"There are rumblings," Lowe said. "Rumblings! That the coaching staff and front office, or at least the head coach and the front office, aren't exactly seeing eye to eye in Denver. To a degree even unusual for the NBA."

Amidst the inside news of the trouble in paradise in Denver, Charles Barkley had something to say about the Nuggets front office. According to the NBA legend, the Nuggets did not do right by their MVP player by not providing him with better bench players.

[17:00] "Last year, they did Joker a disservice because not having him a backup really hurt him when they played those Twin Towers (Towns and Gobert) against Minnesota because they had enough, but they had zero bench. The front office of the Nuggets let him down,” Barkley said.

Barkley was not wrong in addressing the elephant in the room. In the 2023-24 playoffs, the Timberwolves had the fourth-best scoring bench in the postseason. On the other hand, the Nuggets' bench was ranked 15th.