The three-time MVP’s latest statement should be music to 76ers fans’ ears.
76ers, Nikola Jokic, Tyrese Maxey | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers registered yet another loss in their most recent game to log their seventh straight loss, but this one had a little extra going for it. After all, they did face the Denver Nuggets which are not only one of the best teams in the West, but also one of their biggest rivals, at least from a narrative standpoint.
With Nikola Jokic supercharging their attack, the Nuggets wasted no time dispatching of their undermanned visitors. Despite Tyrese Maxey’s heroics, Denver was simply too much for them to handle. The hosts has three players score north of 20 points to lead their 35-point beatdown of the 76ers.
But of course, no 76ers-Nuggets game would be complete without the perennial and forced “drama” between Jokic and Joel Embiid. And with the latter missing yet another game in Denver (with his last game in the city coming six years ago), fans wasted no time unpacking their moot and futile shots at the superstar.
Nikola Jokic comes to the defense of 76ers superstar Joel Embiid
Jokic, who was just recently named as an All-Star starter for the West, was asked about his thoughts on Embiid’s repeated absences but was quick to shot down those questions.
I really don’t care who is on the other side. I just want to win. So it’s not something that I’m thinking about. I think that people are making it a bigger story than it is. My wish is that (Embiid) recovers really well, because he’s missing a lot of games this year. I think he’s a great athlete, and I think he’s a great basketball player. … It’s a joy to watch him play, with how dominant he is”.
Clearly, Jokic is paying no attention to the senseless noise thrown to his supposed matchup with Embiid. And with the 76ers superstar being on the receiving end of these things, it is definitely refreshing to see his counterpart dismiss those himself.
Philadelphia is undoubtedly the most underwhelming bunch this season, and it would be highly farcical not to toss that up to Embiid missing a huge chunk of their campaign. The 76ers would not be in this position had it not been for the 2023 MVP not being in 100 percent shape.
As everyone knows, Jokic is a class act, and 76ers fans sill certainly appreciate him coming to Embiid’s defense. He, of all people, knows just how lethal the latter can be, and him sending his best regards to his opponent is a much-needed change of scenery from media men craving for some feigned tales.
The Philadelphia 76ers have another matchup with the Nuggets in the coming days. Hopefully, Joel Embiid can manage to return and give everyone that much anticipated matchup against Nikola Jokic.