The Denver Nuggets were able to tie their first round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs last Saturday, and head coach Michael Malone said that a huge part of their success in Game 4 was because of Nikola Jokic's defense.
In an interview with Mike Singer of Denver Post, Malone said he's proud of Jokic's effort and commitment on the defensive end in their 117-103 victory, adding that the All-Star forward's energy was very visible.
“The thing that I’m probably most proud about of Nikola Jokic is his defense. The commitment, the energy, the pride he’s taking. Whether it’s pick-and-roll, whether it’s post-up, I see a very engaged Nikola Jokic on that end of the floor” Malone said.
Nikola Jokic is the primary reason why the Nuggets turned from a mid-tier team to a championship contender. He's also the foundation of the franchise's future. As long as he's in Denver, the team is expected to remain competitive.
The first-time All-Star led the Nuggets to the second seed in the Western Conference. While a lot of people don't believe that they can contend with the likes of the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets, the team is out there to prove them wrong.
The Spurs are a great test to the Nuggets' character and will. Although they're still inexperienced, going up against a veteran team should give Michael Malone's men an idea of what to expect in the postseason. They know that in order to win a title, they will have to go through the best teams first.
Clearly, Jokic and the Nuggets are ready for it.
Follow Us
Subscribe