The Nuggets dispelled any thought that they’re a one-man or two-man team during a crucial stretch of Game 4 with Nikola Jokic on the bench, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. As they did most of the night, the Heat blitzed Jamal Murray on the pick-and-roll, trying to take him out of the offense. That allowed Aaron Gordon to score a team-high 27 points, while Bruce Brown added 21, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
“They were giving Jamal so much attention that let’s get Jamal off the ball, let Bruce make some plays,” coach Michael Malone said. “… Maybe our offense may not be as beautiful as it is with Nikola, but the five guys that are out there are defending.”
The Nuggets managed to keep the game even during the five minutes without Jokic, something that rarely happened during the regular season. It was the latest accomplishment for a roster that has become convinced that it’s worthy of capturing a title.
“We’re just ready to win a championship,” Murray said. “We have the tools to do it. It’s been on our minds for a while. We’re just locked in. I don’t think you’ve got to overthink it. We’re just dialed in, ready to win.”
There’s more from Denver:
- Brown made an impression on the Nuggets with his performance in last year’s postseason, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. That resulted in a two-year, $13.2MM offer from Denver with a player option that might have Brown back on the market this summer. “I watched him in the playoffs last year (with the Nets) against Boston, saw his impact of guarding guys like (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown, but his ability to facilitate, play with the ball, play off the ball, make shots,” Malone said. “And the one thing I know about Bruce … he’s not afraid.”
- Former NBA player turned agent Mike Miller takes credit for coming up with the “Joker” nickname for Jokic, Singer adds in a subscriber-only story. Miller, who was a veteran in Denver when Jokic broke into the league, quickly recognized that his talent and feel for the game were unique. “Just how good he was and how poised he was and how easy the game came to him at a young age,” Miller recalled. “And that to me was what made him special even early.”
- The Nuggets are on the verge of the first title in franchise history, but this week’s draft pick trade with the Thunder shows that they’re working to win as many rings as possible before Jokic retires, says Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post.
The end of that prob makes more sense as working to win as many titles before the team’s window closes with the current core. Jokic probably won’t be retiring for 10 years give or take lol
Not so sure Nikola wants to play for another ten years. Basketball isn’t as high on his list of priorities as many players. He’s already earned generational wealth and is most interested in family and breeding race horses.
It seems he’s not especially enamoured of the States or the wealthy American lifestyle so I see him playing another five years maybe and then calling it quits to go back to Serbia to be a dad and a legend with a few hundred million Euros in his account.
It seems more realistic now for teams like Denver to have longer windows with the new CBA. It’s really going to hold teams to 2 max players so with Jokic and Murray in place they are set long term. No more 3-4 star super teams with the tax aprons.
Try enjoying reality. They haven’t won anything yet. First title is always the best. And this is a historic Title Run. Considering it’s the first in franchise history.
Why worry about tmrw when today is still here.
Jokic loves to play basketball it is high on his list. He has his brothers to run his businesses.