Nikola Jokic makes honest admission about Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season, possibly better than in the years when he had won the award. However, the Denver Nuggets are struggling for consistency, and Jokic made an admission about that on Tuesday night. The Nuggets outlasted the Golden State Warriors at home to win their final group game of the Emirates NBA Cup.

The three-time MVP finished the game with 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals as Denver beat the Warriors 119-115. TNT Sports' Nabil Karim asked Jokic about what he has learned about his team 19 games into the season.

"The Joker" said:

"That we can surprise in a good way and bad way, everybody. Literally everybody."

The Denver Nuggets improved to 11-8 for the season after their win over the Golden State Warriors. They are eighth in a stacked Western Conference, where 11 teams have a .500 record or better.

One of the main problems for the Nuggets this season has been consistency, especially on the defensive end. They also need to improve their 3-point shooting, which means they have to be active in the trade market.

Three of Denver's losses have been by five points or less, while two of their victories came in overtime against rebuilding teams like the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets. The Nuggets dominated the LA Lakers on the road but got blown up by the New York Knicks at home in their next outing.

Aaron Gordon's absence certainly affected the Nuggets' defense, so his return has been a welcome sight. Nikola Jokic is the only reason they have a winning record, carrying the team on his back most of the time.

Jamal Murray was struggling with his shots to start the campaign but has slowly regained his confidence. The Nuggets will need him to get on the right track to have a chance of finishing in the top-four in the West.

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Nikola Jokic tops NBA's latest MVP ladder rankings

Nikola Jokic tops NBA's latest MVP ladder rankings. (Photo: IMAGN)

Nikola Jokic has won three of the last four NBA MVPs and deserved to win in 2023 when they won a championship. Jokic might be on his way to winning his fourth MVP, joining an elite group of legends like LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

According to the latest NBA power rankings, Jokic is #1, ahead of the likes of Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. "The Joker" is averaging a triple-double of 30.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 10.4 assists.

It's his career highs in points per game and assists per game, making it more impressive. However, voter fatigue could go against Jokic, no matter how great he has been this season.