'I can't remember Nikola Jokic being more visibly frustrated' - Nuggets reporter shares 'The Joker' has been disappointed with his teammates

Prime years wasted?

After their holiday loss in Arizona, the team from the "Mile High" is just 16-12 on the season, sitting 5th in the Western Conference. That is not too shabby, especially in such a loaded pack of teams on the West Coast, but when you have "The Joker" playing like he has, you simply have higher aspirations,

Jokic has been averaging 30.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 9.4 assists on 56.7/50.0/79.5 shooting splits. The dominance and simplicity with which the Serbian has dominated have been spectacular to watch, propelling another MVP case, but his supporting cast has not been up to par.

Jamal Murray (18.8 points, 6.4 assists on 42.9%), Aaron Gordon (13.7 points and 5.8 rebounds), and Michael Porter Jr. (18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds) have all seen better days, as their nightly contributions have often left Nikola hanging.

While Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook have performed well, they aren't the guys expected to shoulder the weight of no. two and no. three options. When you add the traditional lack of depth Denver faces every year, it's not hard to see why the Nuggets have been underperforming and frustrating a prime Jokic.

Outspoken Nikola

While "The Joker" does not complain to the media or throw his teammates under the bus, he has been somewhat more vocal than usual this season. The best example was when Jokic recently claimed that some of his teammates wouldn't receive their usual paychecks if they were playing in Serbia.

"A reaction. In my country, where I'm coming from, after this kind of stretch, you're gonna get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you are worth. So maybe that's what we need to do. Maybe a little motivation that way," he said.

Mike Malone and Nikola have challenged the team on multiple occasions this season, but the Nuggets still haven't stabilized and put together a great stretch. There is still a lot of basketball to be played, and with how Jokic has been playing, Denver will always be in the championship conversation and a team you don't want to face in the postseason.