To become a top-tier player in the NBA, one must abandon the ordinary life of comfort and indulgence that can dull the mind and increase body fat. Merely arriving early at the team practice facility to push the limits in the weight room or refine your shooting skills is insufficient. Sharing a mixtape titled “Angle Grinder And Other Power Tool Sounds To Exercise By” with teammates won’t cut it either. Instead, players must delve into enigmatic clinics promising rejuvenation through unconventional methods. History reminds us that NBA championships are won or lost during the offseason when everything is at stake and nothing is certain.

This is precisely why Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets seem to have lost their competitive edge, as evident in their 110-89 defeat at the hands of the dominant Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

The Timberwolves sprinted to a 9-0 lead at the game’s outset and never relinquished it, maintaining a lead of as much as 22 points by halftime. Anthony Edwards showcased his scoring prowess, exploiting any gap in Denver’s defense, whether with 20-foot jumpers or powerful drives to the basket—a testament to the hard work he dedicated during the summer. Karl-Anthony Towns, known for his three-point shooting, altered his strategy, focusing on mid-range jumpers and layups. Meanwhile, Mike Conley adeptly distributed the ball to his teammates and drained three-pointers off screens.

Typically, this is the part of the blog where we’d expect a third-quarter turnaround, where the Nuggets’ core would shake off the rust and find their groove. However, on this particular night, that wasn’t the case, as Denver struggled to shoot above 40 percent. Aside from Jokic, the only Nuggets starter to reach double digits in scoring was Jamal Murray, who had a rough start, going 0-9 before breaking through with 12 points in the third quarter. With just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Coach Mike Malone decided to send in Denver’s reserves to finish the game.

It’s worth noting that not too long ago, the Nuggets convincingly defeated the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs en route to their first NBA title. This remarkable run was powered by Jokic’s methodical and dominant performance. He achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first player in NBA history to record 600 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason. He also set a record for the most triple-doubles in the playoffs. However, on Wednesday night, Jokic managed only 25 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 47 percent, lacking his trademark long-range shooting and his physical post-up game. The same duo, Towns and Rudy Gobert, whom Jokic bested in the spring, now supported by a healthy Naz Reid off the bench, managed to keep Jokic away from the rim. It seemed like he had lost his mojo.

How did this unfortunate turn of events occur? It’s disheartening to conclude that Jokic may have lost sight of his priorities. He seemed eager to return home, much like a child lost in the fragrance section of a Nordstrom store. Does this attitude align with that of a champion? Rather than using the mere 107 days between the NBA Finals and the start of training camp to sharpen both his body and mind into a formidable weapon, he embarked on a carefree rafting trip and engaged in fan karaoke without a shirt. Instead of organizing clandestine workouts in obscure gyms away from the NBA’s watchful eye, he invited his teammates to admire his beloved horses. It’s a disappointing deviation from the dedication expected of an elite athlete.

Perhaps it would be best for Jokic to stay with his herd on the farm, where he can roam freely in the pristine beauty of Sombor, far from the pressures of professional sports. This game is for the fierce competitors who hone their skills in the dark, hungering so intensely for success that they devour their opponents with ruthless efficiency, leaving no room for distractions or whimsical indulgences.