Millsap on Jokic: “He’s our team”
Coach Michael Malone isn’t the only member of the Nuggets imploring Nikola Jokic to be more assertive on offense. Paul Millsap, the team’s marquee free-agent acquisition, said he doesn’t want Jokic to defer to him as he continues to reintegrate himself after a three-month absence because of wrist surgery.
“He’s such a humble guy, that sometimes he looks for me to do things,” Millsap, a four-time all-star, said of Jokic. “And it’s him. He’s our team. He makes a lot of things go for us. He’s got to continue to stay aggressive, and I’m here to help him and back him in any way possible.”
Malone is hopeful that Wednesday’s loss to Cleveland can still serve as a turning point. Jokic rebounded from three consecutive single-digit scoring outputs to score 36 points against the Cavaliers on 12-of-14 shooting. He also had 13 rebounds and six assists.
Millsap complemented with 12 points, including two key 3-pointers as Denver staged a second-half comeback.
Malone reiterated that Jokic, who entered Friday’s home game against the Lakers averaging 17.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and six assists per game, doesn’t need to compile that level of eye-popping statistics every game. But the coach wants Jokic to bring a mentality to attack and score when he gets the ball in the post, then make a play for an open teammate if a double-team arrives.
“Nikola is our guy, and he has to be the focal point,” Malone said. “And from that focal point, everybody else gets theirs. …
“Stop being so sensitive of ‘Am I going to hurt anybody’s (feelings)?’ … We can’t afford any more of ‘Is it OK if I shoot it?’ Just play the game, man. And if you make the right play, good things are going to happen for us.”
Chandler out, Barton in. Nuggets’ starting small forward Wilson Chandler missed Friday’s game against the Lakers because of right hip soreness that Malone said Chandler has been playing through for “quite a while” but is not expected to lead to an extended absence. Will Barton, who had previously started 21 games at small forward this season, stepped back into that role Friday.