The Denver Nuggets endured a disappointing first-round playoff exit after failing to recover against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The knockout came after a 110-98 defeat on Thursday, despite Minnesota missing key players such as Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo since Game 4.
That context has intensified scrutiny around Denver’s leading figures. Nikola Jokic, widely regarded as one of the league’s most dominant players, has become the central focus of criticism.
His individual numbers remained strong across the series, but the overall outcome has shaped the narrative. Questions are now being raised about how his performances translate into postseason success.
Kendrick Perkins criticises Nikola Jokic and apologises to NBA greats after Nuggets exit
Kendrick Perkins delivered a strong assessment of Jokic while speaking on ESPN’s First Take. The former NBA champion focused on accountability at the highest level of the sport.
He said: “We got to hold him Jokic to a level of accountability like we would do with every ‘all-time great’. Over the past three years: second-round exit, second-round exit, first-round exit.
“And you’re telling me, without Anthony Edwards, without Donte, two starters and your best player, you couldn’t pull out and go win this series?”
Perkins then shifted his focus to the broader historical context. He issued apologies to several legendary centres he once put below Jokic.
“I want to sit up here and apologize. Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq, I want to apologize to you and tell you I’m sorry. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I want to sit up here and tell you I apologize. I’m sorry,” he added.
“I want to apologize to Hakeem ‘The Dream’ Olajuwon, because I jumped the gun just like everybody else when it comes down to disrespecting all-time greats.”
Perkins also questioned whether Jokic can add to his championship tally. He suggested expectations may have risen too quickly based on regular-season production.
“We were so ready to crown this man and put him ahead of all-time greats because of certain things and numbers that he was putting up in the regular season.
“I get it. He has one NBA championship. And matter of fact, I don’t think Jokic is going to win another NBA championship, to be honest with you,” Perkins stated.
He continued by placing Jokic within the historical rankings, but emphasised the need for further achievements and also mentioned how the Serb had a hard time being guarded by Gobert.
“Is he a top 10 center of all time? Absolutely. But he needs some more accolades. He needs some more championships on his résumé for us to start even considering that. And what Rudy Gobert did to him this series, he outplayed him. Rudy Gobert got a lot of apologies from a lot of people, because we criticized him over the past,” Perkins concluded.
Jokic averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists during the series. However, his 44.6% accuracy on field goal attempts added to concerns about his efficiency against Gobert’s defence.
Those figures underline the complexity of evaluating his performances. Individual output remained high, but the series result continues to dominate the conversation.
Read more:
