In a rare podcast appearance made public this week, Nikola Jokic was prodded by the penetrating interviewer known as “Curious Mike” to give a straight response to hot take television’s favorite topic.
But, as Jokic considered his current top-five NBA players (excluding himself, of course), the names that came to mind were, at the very least, a telling reminder of the basketball generation he sees as a forerunner to the rest. In his non-answer, he floated Kevin Durant and LeBron James as two of the first four players he floated to teammate Michael Porter Jr. It was a nuanced and informative view into Jokic’s thoughts for people who enjoy over-reading.
But what the Nuggets endured on Friday night was an equally pertinent study in the benefits of not over-reading.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Thunder to a 119-93 victory over the Nuggets. He drained a cold-blooded game-winning shot two weeks earlier in the same arena, leading Oklahoma City to a fourth-quarter rally. He wasn’t one of the names mentioned by Jokic in the nonsense exercise with Porter. Do you think Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t regarded as one of the best in the game by Jokic?
“He’s a problem in this league,” Jokic told reporters on Friday.
Perhaps it takes one to know one.
The Nuggets were 51-6 at home when Jokic played since the start of last season (including playoffs). That was before the Thunder came to town on December 16. Denver has now suffered two consecutive home losses to the same opponent. And although the defending champions are playing some of their greatest basketball of the 2023-24 season. As lopsided as the rematch was, Oklahoma City is unlikely to get either result without SGA’s efforts.
“He’s a unique player.” “Not just this year,” Jokic explained before naming Gilgeous-Alexander as a problem. “The good thing about him is that he wants to win.” He is unconcerned with numbers. He is determined to win. And I believe that is his best quality.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Chet Holmgren have undoubtedly propelled themselves into the conversation regarding the league’s greatest duos. That’s a title that appears to be held by Jokic and Jamal Murray right now, but Holmgren’s rise has sped Oklahoma City’s transition from rambunctious underdog to heavyweight contender. Durant, James, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert combined for two road wins in Denver during the Nuggets’ 2023 playoff run.
The year ended with a team that didn’t exist in its current form six months ago demonstrating that it can win two games in a row here.
“They play a unique style of basketball,” stated Jokic. “I’m not gonna say they surprise us, because I knew they were gonna be good this year, but I think we just didn’t respond well.”
Thunderstorms converge
The Nuggets’ mood after being blown out by OKC was not one of concern.
Denver’s 17 turnovers, according to Murray, were more self-inflicted than Thunder-inflicted. Coach Michael Malone mentioned weariness as a possible issue in the Nuggets’ ninth back-to-back this season, but he refused to use it as an excuse.
“Internally, we’ve gotta be a little better, knowing that the other team is playing hard as hell,” he remarked. “We’re a fantastic team, and we usually figure it out.” We usually say: “Bad half.” I’ll have a 20-point quarter, Jok will go off, or KCP will make some crucial plays. I just felt like we beat ourselves tonight, and then they beat us on top of that. It was like a double-fold.”
Jokic was responsible for seven of those turnovers, indicating a pattern in how Oklahoma City guards perform. The Thunder’s go-to coverage against Jokic has been collapsing the paint, relying on aggressive hands to make it impossible for the two-time MVP to pass out of constant double-teams. Six of his turnovers occurred in the second and third quarters, a nine-minute span.
“They are playing really energetic on defense,” Jokic said in a statement. “They’re reaching out with their hands in the gaps and passing lanes.” They are really well coached.”
“You just have to go with the flow. “If they shrink, it means something is open,” Murray explained. “If Lu Dort doesn’t want to turn something on, someone else is available.” There are counter-arguments for everything. We just need to be more conscious of what we do in game and trust one other a little more. Increase your faith in the pass. The movement of the ball. “I think the ball got stuck.”