Home Basketball ‘Serbian top ramen’: Shaquille O’Neal hails Nikola Jokic’s offensive domination over Anthony Davis

‘Serbian top ramen’: Shaquille O’Neal hails Nikola Jokic’s offensive domination over Anthony Davis

Basketball — 10/25/2023

Last season, Shaquille O’Neal inducted Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic into the “Big Man Alliance” during the NBA Finals. O’Neal was so thrilled by Jokic’s record-breaking performance that he invited him to the make-believe club. While the group is a result of O’Neal’s inventiveness in complimenting the two-time MVP, Jokic’s abilities are all too true. The “Joker” is showing fans what he’s capable of on the basketball floor.

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The Denver Nuggets face the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, in the first game of the 2023-24 season. The rematch is keenly anticipated following last season’s playoff sweep.

While assessing Nikola Jokic’s performance in the first quarter, Shaquille O’Neal said (via NBA4lyf):

“He’s continuing where he left off last year….” Take a look at this right here. Take your time, Poise, Ernie [Johnson]. Ernie, do you know what this is? This is the best ramen in Serbia. It’s the best ramen around. Nobody can protect that man alone down there.”

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O’Neal mentioned Davis guarding Jokic at the top of the key without any assistance defense. AD is a standout defender and rim protector in the NBA. Nonetheless, the Serbian gently but surely dismantled his opponent’s defense.

Nikola Jokic used his typical herky-jerky motions to bulldoze his way to the paint. Jokic quickly turned into the middle after inching his way down to the left block, where his height and bulk gave him the advantage over Davis. With AD now behind his left shoulder, the “Joker” almost casually flipped the ball for the hoop, resulting in a Davis foul.

Nikola Jokic has been dominant against Anthony Davis in tonight

Several times during the playoffs last season, Anthony Davis could only shake his head in astonishment. In the play described by Shaquille O’Neal, AD could only gaze at the referee, perplexed as to why he was called for a foul on Jokic’s lumbering inside foray.

In 18 minutes, Nikola Jokic scored 19 points on 8-14 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, assisted twice, and blocked one shot. Meanwhile, AD finished with 17 points, one rebound, one assist, and one block in 16 minutes.