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Marcus Morris Sends Strong Message About Nikola Jokic on ESPN's First Take

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thad Brown | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 12:03 PM ET

Nikola Jokic is in the middle of another monster season, averaging 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game while keeping the Denver Nuggets in contention out West. The one-time NBA champion and three-time MVP just dropped a historic 61-point triple-double in a double-overtime thriller against Minnesota and is once again in the thick of the MVP conversation alongside Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Despite all that, not everyone is sold—especially former NBA veteran Marcus Morris Sr., who made waves during an appearance on ESPN’s "First Take" on Thursday. The 35-year-old free agent, who most recently played with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024, delivered a take that caught everyone off guard — stating that he doesn’t believe Nikola Jokic is a top-20 player of all time.

“I’m still not gonna say he’s top 20 right now,” Morris said, prompting a stunned reaction from Kendrick Perkins and Stephen A. Smith.

Marcus Morris says Nikola Jokic (who infamously shoved his brother Markieff in the back so hard it gave him whiplash) isn't a Top 20 NBA player all-time in an appearance on First Take. pic.twitter.com/5GP4MTPvZP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 3, 2025

While Morris did clarify that his comments weren’t meant as a slight—“That’s no knock to him because he’s special… he’s transcended the game,” he noted—he still doubled down. “But top 20 right now? Nah.”

The comment reignited talk around the long-standing tension between Jokic and the Morris twins.

Their feud dates back to a heated 2021 game when Jokic shoved Markieff Morris from behind after a hard foul, resulting in a neck injury that sidelined Markieff for weeks.

I wonder why he’s saying that pic.twitter.com/rN9TzQlRJe
— j. (@BronGotIt) April 3, 2025

The incident sparked online exchanges between the Jokic brothers and Marcus Morris, adding fuel to a rivalry that clearly hasn’t cooled off.

With Jokic pushing for a fourth MVP—which would tie LeBron James—many on the panel were baffled by Morris’s take. But given the history between the two sides, some fans aren’t shocked the respect still isn’t mutual.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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