The Nuggets–Thunder second-round series features a clash between the top two contenders for the Most Valuable Player award, Denver big man Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But it would be a stretch to call it a showdown, according to Jokic, since they play different positions.
“He’s a very different player,” Jokic said, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “He’s playing on so many levels, speed, as a scorer. Everything looks so easy for him. Even when you are like, ‘Oh, that’s a good defense.’ It feels so easy for him and he’s amazing with a change of speed, change of rhythm, ball-handling. He can post up guys, he can go by guys, his shooting at the mid-range is unguardable basically. He’s a very special player.”
OKC coach Mark Daigneault feels neither player will care to make an individual point in the series.
“I know Shai a lot better than I know Jokic,” Daigneault said. “But I think I know enough to know that neither one of them are going to get distracted by that. Both of them are going to be fully invested in the series. It’s a supplement to the series. But it’s really, it’s not part of the series at all.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- It’s important for SGA to be well-liked by his teammates and peers beyond just being a superstar player, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman writes. “He wants to be one of the greats,” Daigneault said. “He also wants to be one of the guys.”
- Minnesota center Rudy Gobert posted 27 points and 24 rebounds against the Lakers in the deciding Game 5 of the series. The Timberwolves big man became the first player with at least 25 points and 20 boards in a series-clinching win on the road since Shaquille O’Neal achieved that for the Heat against the Bulls in 2006, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic relays. “That’s the Rudy that can win you championships,” guard Mike Conley said. “When you have that type of mentality to go get every rebound, go get every block, defend every guy at the rim, we needed that. He came at the biggest moment of our season.”
- Will Hardy received a contract extension on Monday but the Jazz will need to replace at least one of his assistants. Assistant coach Evan Bradds has left the organization to join Duke’s staff, according to the school’s basketball social media account (Twitter link).
The Joker ……….who is the MVP. Like
Like Hakeem reminding Robinson oh oh OMG.
42.25 mins, 42 pts, 22 reb, 6 ast,
Better use IHart and Chet ….. at sane time.
Jokic ain’t no joke…….
Two good games tonight. TNT is happy.
Bridges and Gordon ……
Jokic couldn’t hold Hakeem’s jock strap
What a weird thing to say. I don’t think anybody wants to…
Kenny Smith would
You must be young. It’s a old expression meaning Jokic couldn’t be half as good as Hakeem
If SGA wins MVP over Jokic after seeing the first
game they need to strip voting rights from the offenders.
I think they grow tired of giving MVPs to a boring big guy forever. But no other team would have win totals cut in half or more if they got injured. Maybe Curry in his prime that year a while back. (lol Wiseman)
Denver wins by 2 and needs the joker to go triple MVP to do it, with a bit of Gordon magic on top. I’m no thunder fan, but I think this series, over the long run will show SGA is the national basketball associations MVP,in my opinion.
What a wild start to 2nd rd! All 3 top seeds fell at home game 1. Stunning