Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has had enough of people bashing NBA superstar Nikola Jokic. After the Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals, Malone didn’t hold back while talking about Jokic.
“I think he’s shown other people, nationally, that he’s real,” Malone said. “What he’s doing is real. The MVPs are real. The triple-doubles are real. All the narratives, the silly narratives this year, are just that: silly and somewhat ignorant.
“And I think Nikola has gone through three rounds now, where he’s averaging a triple-double in the playoffs. Have you seen any stat padding out there? I’m serious. Enough of the silliness. The guy is a great player. Give him his damn respect.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
The Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Lakers to win the Western Conference. Jokic averaged 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists while shooting 53.8% from the field, 47.4% from beyond the arc, and 78.4% from the free-throw line.
“I think you’re just happy that you won a game,” Jokic said after Game 4. “You beat a really, really good team. Every game but the first game was so close. Anyone could have won it, and we just find a way to win the game. Especially we were down 15, and to come back and win the game, it was just probably happiness. I think that’s the emotions.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
The Nuggets are looking to win their first title in franchise history and they have a good shot at accomplishing that feat with Jokic leading the way.
“I think I’m really happy for the guys and for the organization and just how we fight through,” Jokic said. “I remember the days when nobody was in our — you could hear the ball bounce on the floor and there was no fans. And we have a sellout every other night.
“Just for the organization, just for the people, just for Coach, for all the players that everybody doubt. I think I’m just happy, and it means a lot for me for the collective that we have.”
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