Nikola Jokic made history with two series in a row in “triple-double”, and he was even awarded the Magic Johnson Trophy, best player in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite his 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 average assists, the double MVP does not consider himself Denver’s best player in these playoffs, and he rather quotes Jamal Murray (27.7 pts / m at 48% on shots).
“Jamal deserves all this attention, especially because he has a big points average. He just averaged 30 points with a high percentage (against the Lakers). I think it’s really hard to do, especially with such a point average.” believes Jokic. “But it’s not just the points. It is also his energy. Since the first round, there has been this energy, and he has been our best player since the first round. He really raised his level of play.”
Jamal Murray as an “energizer”
What Jokic likes about Murray is that he can do more than score points when he’s not having a good night.
“Even if he doesn’t make his shots, his energy is still good. I think it’s the best feeling for the guys around him. We know he can put his shots, and he can reach 50 points. But when things don’t go his way, he doesn’t crumble. He continues to play. He is still fighting. I think that’s the best thing about him right now. »
However, isn’t Murray underestimated? “To be honest, you can’t control what people are going to say about you or not say about you, so I’m not even going to comment on whether he deserves it or not. I think he deserves it, but who am I to think that? » jokes Jokic.
A relationship built over time
More seriously, the Serb was also asked about his relationship with his point guard. They are never cited among the best duos in the NBA, and Jokic admits that the two took a little time to play well together.
“During my first two seasons, if you remember correctly, I had very good automatisms with Gary Harris. We played really well together, whereas it was slower with Jamal. But he always had rage in his eyes. There’s always been that something… I don’t know if he’s chasing something, or trying to be the best… But he always wanted more. If I had to remember one thing from him during my rookie year, that’s it. He was starving.”
| Jamal Murray | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 82 | 22 | 40.4 | 33.4 | 88.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 81 | 32 | 45.1 | 37.8 | 90.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 16.7 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 43.7 | 36.7 | 84.8 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 18.2 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 59 | 32 | 45.6 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 18.5 |
| 2020-21 | DEN | 48 | 36 | 47.7 | 40.8 | 86.9 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 21.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 65 | 33 | 45.4 | 39.8 | 83.3 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Total | 410 | 31 | 44.7 | 37.3 | 87.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 16.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
