When Doc Rivers sees Nikola Jokic, the LA Clippers coach sees the very best death huge man ever, combined with the moves and smarts of 2 Hall of Fame big guys.
” He has a bit of everyone,” Rivers said Tuesday when asked if Jokic compares to anybody. “He has all the footwork and the moves of an [Hakeem] Olajuwon, the goofy and slender, like goofy intelligence of Kevin McHale. Shoot, male, hes just great.
” Hes the best death huge that Ive seen, I believe, ever.
Clippers point player Patrick Beverley also asserts that Jokic is really skilled at “flailing” and putting pressure on referees. Clippers beginning center Ivica Zubac fouled out after 21 minutes of trying to guard Jokic, who completed with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 8 helps in the Denver Nuggets loss Monday in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
1 Related” Well, I do not listen to Patrick Beverley a lot,” a dismissive Nuggets coach Michael Malone countered on Tuesday. “If Kawhi Leonard was talking, possibly I may listen to it. Kawhis a terrific player. But all you got ta do is take a look at the stat sheet. Zubac attempted more totally free tosses than Nikola Jokic; they shot 26 complimentary throws, we shot 10.
” So Im not truly sure what video game Patrick is discussing or taking a look at, however I truly do not call for and give too much attention to that.”.
Jokic has actually carved up the Clippers defense with one-handed, three-quarter court outlet passes and a variety of pivot relocations and pump fakes to typical 29 points, 15 rebounds, 6 helps and shoot 7-for-13 from behind the arc in the past two video games.
The Clippers, who lead 2-1 in this best-of-seven series, are likewise attempting to keep Jamal Murray under wraps as much as possible. After scoring 50 points two times during Denvers first-round series win over Utah, Murray has been held to a combined total of 26 points in the Clippers two success in this series.
Rivers has Leonard and Paul George to smother Murray late in video games, however Jokic is a high job for the Clippers defense. His capability to strike 3-pointers, post up, score and pass makes him a load for Zubac, Montrezl Harrell, JaMychal Green and Marcus Morris Sr. to deal with.
” He has a little bit of everyone,” Rivers said Tuesday when asked if Jokic compares to anybody. Shoot, man, hes just excellent.
” Hes the best passing huge that Ive seen, I think, ever. Zubac attempted more complimentary tosses than Nikola Jokic; they shot 26 free tosses, we shot 10.
Whether he needs to spin-dribble or whether its simply him just catching in the post and dribbling, they are double-teaming him every time he puts the ball down.”.
The Clippers sent out some delayed double-teams at Jokic and there were stretches where that defense led to momentum-turning turnovers.
“And hes just got ta understand, every time he puts the ball on the flooring, theyre coming. Whether he requires to spin-dribble or whether its just him simply capturing in the post and dribbling, they are double-teaming him every time he puts the ball down.”.
The Clippers, however, had their own lapses that permitted Denvers wings to leakage out a few times for some Jokic touchdown-like passes downcourt for easy baskets.
” Man, hes just extremely good,” Rivers said before practice and definitely a film session with his gamers. “And hes really frustrating to view on movie.”.
