Michael Malone Tells NBA Fans to Not Take Nikola Jokic for Granted

Michael Malone Tells NBA Fans to Not Take Nikola Jokic for Granted

I know it was just one game off for him but could you sort of sense the extra rest in terms of his defensive activity early in the game yic um yeah not really I mean I’m sure it didn’t hurt you know that he had didn’t travel to OKC and

Play in that game but um you know I think Nicole is an underrated Defender and he was one of our defensive players of game tonight just his activity that team is a heavy heavy volume pick and roll team I thought Nicole’s levels as a hand activity his foot activity uh his

Rebounding I thought he was just outstanding how’s Casey P finger uh it’s fine I mean it’s um I was one of the better defensive possessions I’ve seen in a long time against a very talented offensive player and anony Simons and uh you know just popped out a little bit

But he’s got it taped up he’s a tough kid and uh as I told him after the game it’s a long way from his heart coach you said you know niola it’s just another performance you’re so accustomed to I guess how do you how do we continue to to appreciate it and not

Take it for granted when this is what he does so so often yeah I mean just uh just challenge yourself you know think about what life was like before Nicole got here I mean like and I think people don’t do that you know they they expect nine years now well it’s always been

Like this no wasn’t no it wasn’t don’t do that don’t lie to yourself what Nicole has done is historical in nature it’s amazing that’s why he’s a two-time MVP he’s a world champion and he’s a Finals MVP because every night you know just his ability to be great for himself

But more importantly his ability to make everyone around him better and that truly is a definition of greatness and uh you know we have been spoiled and I’m sure some of us do find ourselves maybe taking it for granted but just remind yourself that you know not many guys

Like Nicole yic have walked through those doors and appreciate every opportunity that you have to watch him play he really implemented the volleyball Tap tonight and and it’s always going to AG it seems what how does a know how does he know where to go yeah well I mean constant reps you know

They’ve been together for a while now Vic as you know and um the way they were guarding him tonight such a heavy crowd at that nail and they were bringing another Defender and if Aaron’s in the right position what we call the dunker along the Baseline uh and that’s what

You love about Nicole if you’re spacing the floor correctly he doesn’t have to look to see where you are he can just use that back tap side tap one-handed pass whatever it may be to find you and um you know what’s going to be really scary for us is when we start making

Shots the way that I know we’re custom to making shots we are missing great looks right now and that’s all that matters though we’re getting the Great Looks but once we get guys knocking them down um you know I think we our offense really has a chance to take off take off

That was one of my favorite stats of the night those 34 assists it’s been a while since we’ve had a 30 plus assist game and that’s what I like tonight the ball wasn’t being held the ball was moving and we were making plays for each other

Uh so that was more like Denver Nugget basketball than we played probably recently what changes if anything when you play the same team back to back at home yeah I mean it’s yeah I guess you could maybe compare it to somewhat of a playoff series you know you just played

Them so now your players have their personnel their play calls how they guarded us all fresh in their mind uh we can watch the film to see what we can do better what adjustments we can make and then chony and his staff will do the same thing for them when you’re just

Playing a different team every night you you don’t have that same you know re you know re chaining of the information so um that’s probably the only thing but we got one tonight we’ve done a hell of a job at home and we know Sunday we’re going to have to play even better

Michael when we’ve talked to pton before he said the confidence in the three-point shot comes from the work he puts into it what kind of what kind of work have you seen him kind of put yeah I mean he’s uh he’s a guy that comes early and stays late I mean whether it’s

With coaches or coming back shooting on the gun getting reps after reps after reps and so when he’s making a shot in the game and tonight uh what pton was from the three-point line he was two for two six of eight from the field for every shot he’s making in a game he’s

Got a thousand reps up in the practice court and that’s what you want from a young player you want a young player saying okay these are the areas that I have to improve upon and U I’m going to be open out there teams you know are

Going to really show a crowd to Nia and to Jamal and to Michael and uh he’s mixing it up really nicely knocking down the three as well as playing behind the defense in the dunker and playing aggressive to the rim and that’s that’s that’s the best example of pton Watson

Being at his you know at his best is just doing all those things and not settling you you’ve seen him now play more of that that dunker position for Aaron and in even minutes crossing over with nicoa yic couple turnovers where oh that’s open if he just kind of stays

Here but do you see that even that chemistry growing a little bit Yeah I think you know for pton really first year playing I think it’s it’s been good between he and Nia but I think it can get so much better like they’re just like a second off here and there the

Pass Payton out understanding fully and uh once they get that now we have two weapons that can play behind athletic weapons that can play Above the Rim and if you’re going to pull up on Nia you got the lob you pull in on that you got great Shooters in the corners and that’s

When we’re probably at our best when Nia has the ball in the middle of the floor but pton will figure it out he’s he’s had some really good examples of it and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to find a way to be even better have you

Have you seen Aaron and Payton’s ear about some of that whether it’s just the timing or little things like that in that spot well Nia I mean Nia being in his ear just kind of you know like uh drawing up an atto like him hey pton

When I catch the ball here make sure you come coming under so I think whether it’s Aaron or nicoa you know just everybody’s kind of you know takes the village you trying to help Payton along the way didn’t play a lot at UCLA didn’t

Play a lot last year and uh you can see all the talent that He has tremendous upside and it’s all of our responsibility to help him get better and reach his ceiling thank you coach you

Michael Malone Post Game Press Conference after Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets win 120-108 over Portland Trail Blazers. In the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets’ 108-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Coach Michael Malone highlighted the critical role of Nikola Jokic in the win and the importance of valuing his contributions. Malone addressed questions about Jokic’s defensive performance and the impact of his rest day, praising Jokic as an underrated defender whose activity significantly challenged the Blazers’ offense. The coach also discussed the team’s offensive flow, crediting Jokic for his ability to elevate his teammates’ play, and stressed the necessity of appreciating Jokic’s historical impact on the team. Malone’s comments reflect on both the individual excellence of Jokic and the collective effort of the Nuggets, underscoring the team’s success and the importance of not taking Jokic’s contributions for granted.

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