If there's one thing Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone proved in their first round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, it's the fact that Nikola Jokic has what it takes to be a Hall of Famer one day.
The Nuggets are in a do-or-die situation as they head to the must-win Game 7 against the Spurs. While the team has struggled at times during the series, they managed to stay close to San Antonio behind the stellar play of Jokic.
Jokic averaged 23.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 9.o assists in the six games they had with the Spurs so far. Those numbers are way better than his 2018-19 regular season average of 20.1 points, 10.8 boards and 7.3 dimes.
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone has nothing but praise for Jokic, and he pointed out that his performance so far “strengthened” his belief that big things are ahead for the Serbian big man.
“I would say it's only strengthened my belief that he's a future Hall of Famer, he's an All-NBA players, he's a MVP candidate,” Malone said, per Harrison Wind of BSN Denver. “First time in the playoffs and this guy is going out there and playing at an unbelievably high level.”
“I saw a glimpse of that last year down the stretch, when every game felt like a playoff game for us, and you want to see how guys react to those situations. Do they shy away from it, do they embrace it? Nikola embraces it. For a young player in his fourth year in the first playoffs, how confident does he look? How under control and poised does he look? He's playing like the best player in the series…”
It might be a bit early to call Nikola Jokic a future Hall of Famer. After all, the 24-year-old didn't make his first All-Star team until this season. But it's safe to say he has that kind of potential, and is one of the best young centers in the game today.
Now, it's time for Jokic to show that he can carry the Nuggets to the next round.
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