“ We clearly have to be physical and put a lot of pressure on him when he has the ball. Then pray. » This night in Denver, the prayers of Josh Hart and the Knicks against Nikola Jokic have not really been heard.
The Nuggets pivot signed his 22nd triple-double of the season with 30 points (12/23 on shots), 14 rebounds and 11 assists. And an always disconcerting ease in getting out of all the situations imposed by the opposing defense. As the New York guard says, “ you can put out a big defense, he will send you a majestic shot 10 meters from the basket which he succeeds as best he can “.
If he did not convert a winning basket last night, the double MVP still showed his magic with the ball in hand. In the fourth quarter, he sent a “circus shot” after working in the post in front of Isaiah Hartenstein. By causing the latter to make a mistake, he converted this “hook” which passed above the plexiglass.
“A disconcerting ease in making complicated shots”
The kind of shot he works on in training? “ Not that much. I think you need to work on the desperation shots you take in general. I felt his hand on me, he jumped and I felt the impact, it was a foul so I took my chance. It's probably instinct. When you think about it, it's a normal shot with a little more curve. I don't shoot over the basket, but I take hooks with more trajectory. So basically, it's the same shot but above the basket “, analyzes the Serbian.
To support his point, it is also enough to take a look at the long distance baskets sent by the latter to realize the very high and curved trajectories generated by his shooting gesture.
Other spectacular feats of arms from his evening: two over-the-shoulder passes. The first sent towards Aaron Gordon under the circle, the second to reverse the play on the opposite side towards Michael Porter Jr. in the corner. Here again, instinct spoke because Nikola Jokic admits to having barely seen his teammate in the first action. “ I just sent it, hoped he would catch it and there he was. The ball arrived perfectly where it was supposed to “, he said.
So many gestures which no longer really surprise his coach, Mike Malone. “ Whether from half court against Golden State or behind the basket tonight, he has a disconcerting ease in making complicated shots. I want to warn everyone not to take it for granted, but another triple-double tonight […]he is close to the triple double average since the All-Star Game… It is no coincidence that he is a candidate for the MVP title every year “, calls the technician back.
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 67 | 34 | 58.2 | 35.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 9.4 | 12.3 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 26.0 |
| Total | 663 | 31 | 55.7 | 34.9 | 82.8 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
