Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler praised Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for being a “hellified” NBA defender.
Most people are in awe of what Jokic does on offense, but Butler — one of the top defenders in the NBA — seems to appreciate The Joker’s defense, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Jokic has a defensive rating of 109.1 in the 2023 playoffs versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Heat. He’s not the most athletic guy out there, but the two-time MVP uses his size and strength to make life difficult for his opponents.
The Nuggets are three wins away from winning their first championship in franchise history. Jokic is averaging a triple-double in the 2023 postseason. The future Hall of Famer is putting up 29.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game while shooting 54.2% from the field, 47.5% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
Denver is undefeated at home in the 2023 playoffs. Jokic and Co. won Game 1 of the Finals against the Heat by 11 points. Game 2 is on Sunday, June 4 and the Nuggets will have to start the game the same way they began Game 1. Denver outscored Miami 29-20 in the first quarter and never looked back.
If the Nuggets win the championship over the Heat, Jokic will probably win the Finals MVP Award. He had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in Game 1 while shooting 8-of-12 overall. The five-time All-Star makes the game look so easy when everyone who follows basketball closely knows that it’s not.
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid won the 2023 MVP Award over Jokic, who has always said nice things about Embiid. Knowing Jokic, he definitely cares more about winning the title and cementing himself as one of the greatest players of all time.
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