The Denver Nuggets overpowered the New York Knicks on Friday night, beating them 113-100.
But even though his team lost to Denver, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau spent much of his post-game press conference praising the Nuggets’ biggest star, Nikola Jokic.
He talked about Jokic’s ability to score, pass, and do just about everything on the court.
“With a player like Nikola, is it more important to take away the shot or the pass?” he asked.
“That’s a great question. I think the entire league is trying to figure it out,” he added.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau on the value that a player like Jokic brings to a team and organisation.
"With a player like Nikola, is more important to take away the shot or the pass?"
"That's a great question. I think the entire league is trying to figure it out" pic.twitter.com/4GnrntFFNr
— n i k o l a e s t h e t i c (@nikolaesthetic) March 22, 2024
Thibodeau brought up a point that many other coaches and teams have been grappling with: what is the best way to limit Jokic?
If he was a traditional big man, opponents would be focused on making sure that he doesn’t get the ball or get too close to the basket.
But Jokic isn’t just good at scoring, he’s also an amazing passer.
Some argue that he’s the best passer in the league right now and there have been countless times when he has found his teammates despite a suffocating defense from the other team.
He has produced some unbelievable, show-stopping assists and that makes him all the more dangerous.
Therefore, teams like the Knicks and others have to formulate a plan that they believe will best eliminate the plethora of skills that Jokic has.
On Thursday night, Jokic was tremendous again with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr.’s fantastic stretch of games continued with his 31 points and 8 rebounds.
The Knicks tried their hardest but they weren’t able to get a handle on Jokic.
However, they aren’t alone because it seems like no team can stop him these days.
NEXT: Nikola Jokic Remains Atop Very Important NBA List