Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had a rather funny comment about his defense while speaking to NBA reporters on June 3.
When a reporter asked Jokic to assess his defense in the 2023 playoffs, the two-time MVP joked that he needs a trophy to celebrate his defensive prowess.
“I think I need to get a trophy, my friend,” Jokic said. “I don’t know what it is. I’m joking, I’m joking (laughter). It’s not just me. I think when you see the last game, us against Miami, in the first three quarters, they score 65, 68 points. I think that’s really amazing. And then you can see the fourth quarter, they scored 30-something.
“When we are collectively really good, then I’m really good, too. But when we are collectively not good, I’m not really good. I think it goes how good the team is, that’s how I’m good in defense. I’m going to say it like that.”
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
Jokic has a defensive rating of 109.1 in the 2023 playoffs. The Nuggets, who are 13-3 this postseason entering Game 2 of the NBA Finals, have a defensive rating of 111.8.
Denver is three wins away from winning its first championship in franchise history.
“Some possessions we play amazing and some possessions we didn’t play good,” Jokic said. “Some quarters we played really good. I think that’s basketball. That’s why it’s a live thing. You cannot predict what’s going to happen.
“Yes, of course, we are going to be better, but we are going to take 1-0 for us. Just being focused for 48 minutes, I think that’s going to be the key. Just the way how they play, they don’t let their guard down and they are always playing the same way with the same pace. I think that’s why they are great.”
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
Game 2 of the Finals is on Sunday, June 4. Jokic and Co., who are undefeated at home in the postseason, will look to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
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