NBA insider critiques 284-pound Nikola Jokic for being 'heavy' 

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is having one of his best years this season. He's averaged nearly a triple-double, setting records. But some people are reportedly worried about his weight, according to NBA insider Chris Mannix.

On "The Bill Simmons Show" on Thursday, Manning spoke about Jokic. According to his sources, the three-time MVP looked "heavy" this season, saying the Serbian big man looked bigger than in previous seasons.

"If you’re carrying that heavy and offensive burden, it’s going to cost you something on the other end no matter who you are," Mannix said. "The other thing I keep hearing — and I haven’t been around him personally enough to see it — is that people keep saying he’s heavy, right? Like, he’s not in the kind of shape you’ve seen him in during years past."

Before the season started, Jokic was listed at 284 pounds. Since then, the Nuggets have not reported any updates about an increase in his weight. While Mannix's sources are concerned that the six-time All-Star is out of shape, the Nuggets star still leads his team.

Jokic has played 21 games, averaging 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.9 assists. He's also had high-scoring games as he finished with 56 points and 16 rebounds against the Washington Wizards on Dec. 7. He followed that up with a 48-point game against the Atlanta Hawks.

The one-time Finals MVP is averaging at least 30 points for the first time in his career.

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Former NBA star thinks Nikola Jokic's "greatness" has not helped the Nuggets

For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has remained a unique asset. But this season, his team has had trouble defeating other teams. The "greatness" that Jokic radiates hasn't aided the team's success, according to former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. Denver is 14-10.

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"What Denver was doing … they don't look good anymore. Everybody got paid, and everybody became the fat cat. … That's how it looks," Arenas said. "Like, (they're) not clicking. It seems like the years he's getting closer to the triple-doubles, they're winning less. It's over. … The defense is horrible."

Out of Jokic's teammates, no one has come close to averaging at least 20 points. The second-highest scorer for the Nuggets is Michael Porter Jr., who's putting up 18.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg. The next best scorer for Denver is Jamal Murray, averaging 18.4 on 34.8% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.

Overall, six players in the Nuggets are averaging double digits in scoring.

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