Jokic steals show with jokes, triple doubles
This guy.
Nikola Jokic is more than just a guy who can post triple doubles on the regular.
He was tied for second in the league with LeBron James with seven of those this season going into Sunday’s games, by the way, but the dude is hilarious.
They do call him Joker for a reason right?
After Denver pulled out a 113-111 win last week in Phoenix, Jokic took questions from a media scrum about everything from the win to posting a triple double – 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists — to going up against new Nuggets’ addition Jerami Grant in practice.
Question: What is your best basketball? How would you define your best basketball?
Nikola Jokic: "Making stops so they don’t score and making stops.”
After getting a couple of laughs, Jokic told one of the reporters he liked his laugh.
“Uh-ha,” Jokic
Gary. Uh-ha.”
That’s Gary Harris by the way. Jokic later was asked about his awareness of when he’s on pace for a triple double. He started his answer by looking up at the ceiling and holding his hand up to show how he can see it on the video board.
“It’s right there on the board,” he said. In the middle of his answer, Jokic noticed someone in the locker room consuming possibly a beverage of his choice. “You’re drinking beer?” Jokic asked. He paused, smiled and then continued his triple-double answer.
“When I’m playing, I don’t think about it,” Jokic said. “Then when I see it (looking upward), I’m like, OK, I have seven, five and two, but when you play, you can not think about it.”
Jokic finally was asked about if Jerami Grant’s length bothers him in practice. This is after Grant blocked Devin Booker’s shot at the buzzer to seal the win for the Nuggets.
Jokic’s answer?
“When he was in OKC, he tried to guard me, but he was really quick out of the game.”
(Laughs, Laughs, Laughs).
Mic drop.
Maybe it’s his Serbian accent. His delivery has something to do with it, but the dude is too funny.
I heard early in the year Jokic wasn’t in the best of shape. He looked the same to me, but the expectations go up when you’re voted first-team All-NBA.
The Nuggets have a lot of good-toreally-good players. Jamal Murray may said. “You hear that earn his first all-star appearance season, but Jokic is their guy.
They’re only going as far as he can take them, but stay tuned to Jokic’s next open mic night in an NBA locker room near you.
Like I said, dude is hilarious.
Heat rising
this
Miami has emerged as the NBA’s sustainable surprise team.
The Heat are second in the Eastern Conference behind Milwaukee and have the NBA’s longest current winning streak of five games.
Four of those victories have come against playoff teams from a year ago, with two over Philadelphia.
❚ Dec. 18 – 108-104 at Philadelphia 76ers
❚ Dec.
Knicks
❚ Dec. 23 – 107-104 vs. Utah Jazz
❚ Dec. 26 – 113-112 vs. Indiana Pacers ❚ Dec. 28 – 117-116 (OT) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
This was after losing by seven Memphis, which has a losing record.
The two wins over Philadelphia stand out because the 76ers gave Miami the business, 113-86, in November in Philadelphia. The Sixers also beat Milwaukee on Christmas.
Maybe it’s just a bad matchup for Philadelphia or Miami’s team ball is better than Philadelphia’s collection of talent. Jimmy Butler knows the Sixers well as he played for them last season.
Now Philadelphia should’ve closed out Miami in regulation Saturday, but Miami has found a formula that works. Going into Sunday’s games, the Heat are second in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.5%, but also get to the line as they’re third in the league in total free throw attempts with 852.
Dig deeper in their numbers, Miami is 20
– 129-114 vs. New
York at second in rebounding percentage, fifth in assist percentage, seventh in opponents field goal makes, eighth in offensive rating and 11th in defensive rating.
And in this age of pace, Miami is winning despite being 22nd in that deemed vital analytical category.
The Heat have a closer in Butler, play team ball, play hard, physical and Erik Spolestra is one of the league’s most underrated coaches. Hardly got credit for what he did when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were there winning championship, but is being recognized with this latest Heat edition.
Must-see matchups
Here week.
Monday: Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls. The Bucks are the better team, but Zach Lavine is putting up allstar numbers for the Bulls and had some major moments this season. Can he deliver another one against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has missed Milwaukee’s last two games with a sore back?
Tuesday: Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets (NBATV). While the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to have one of those of top two spots at season’s end, Denver and Houston are battling for that second spot right now behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Year’s Day: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers. Suns conclude a fourgame are the games to watch this road trip with the Lakers, who lead the Western Conference. Phoenix may need this one to finish .500 on the road trip as they try to get back in the playoff picture.
Thursday: Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat (NBATV). Miami is 15-1 at home. Can Raptors change that?
Friday: Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets (ESPN). Hopefully James Harden’s toe is better at this point, because this is a statement game for both teams.
Saturday: Charlotte Hornets at Dallas Mavericks. These are the games Dallas must win to show it can take a team like Charlotte seriously. Terry Rozier is up for the challenge of battling Luka Doncic.
Sunday: Portland Trail Blazers at Miami Heat. Hassan Whiteside makes return to South Beach with the Blazers. He will be booed early and often.