Will Lakers always get the calls against Denver?
Jokic not receiving same star treatment as L.A. counterparts
Q: I think the Lakers game made it clear the Nuggets will not be getting any calls against LeBron and Co. in the playoffs. Are those just the sorts of superstar calls the Nuggets can expect? Is it something they can overcome? And when will Nikola Jokic start getting the benefit of the doubt like his other superstar counterparts?
— Dan, Westminster
Singer: I think referees sometimes don’t give Jokic the benefit of the doubt because of his slow, plodding play. What the Nuggets would contend, though, is that Jokic is getting fouled because of his methodical approach. He keeps opposing big men off balance with his deft footwork and oddball shooting angles. I’m not a huge “blame the refs” guy, but when Dwight Howard gets 12 foul shots, and Jokic only gets two, I’d call that eyebrow raising at minimum.
Q: Nikola Jokic is back to playing at the high level we expect of him. But, I couldn’t help noticing that it took him nearly half the season to get there. I also couldn’t help noticing that he’s lost a lot of weight since the beginning of the year — he’s looking noticeably thinner. In the Phoenix game, I actually heard a broadcaster say that Nikola has “played himself into shape.” Was Jokic out of shape to begin the year? Could that be why he’s taken so long to recapture his form?
— Sam, Seattle
Singer: Looking back at the numbers, Jokic made his jump in December, just 17 games into the season. Since Dec. 1, Jokic is averaging 22.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists. I can’t argue with your skinnier assessment. Jokic is definitely trimmer and dare I say lithe on his feet.
Jokic had a shortened summer due to the playoffs and then experienced an unenjoyable World Cup run with Serbia. That never allowed him much time to decompress back home where he’s most comfortable. I think that played a part in his slow start and partially explained why his engagement was so inconsistent to start the season.
But as last week’s Player of the Week award confirmed, Jokic is back to playing at a borderline MVP level.
Q: What just happened? Did we get a decent big out of the deal? Will we match up with Rockets?
— Mémo Smith, Colorado Springs
Singer: So many questions! I think the Nuggets love Noah Vonleh’s size and his defensive versatility. If something were to happen to either Jokic or Mason Plumlee (foul trouble in a particular game), I think Michael Malone would be comfortable turning to Vonleh. He played valuable minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers and even buried a corner 3-pointer.
To your other question, I’d posit this: Can Houston contain Denver’s offense? If those two teams matched up in the playoffs, Jokic would have a field day inside against P.J. Tucker as their smallball center.
On the flip side, Jokic would certainly have trouble extending to the perimeter where Tucker usually sets up shop. So Jokic’s post game vs. Houston’s perimeter game?
I think the Nuggets would like their chances far more than before the Rockets moved Clint Capela, who’d given Jokic fits with his agility.