Nikola Jokić is the first player to win the NBA MVP in team history. He’s also the first Serbian to win the award, and the lowest draft pick to ever earn the title.
Michael Porter Jr.:
I really don’t know what was going on with my shot. I really don’t care. I’ll fix it in the off-season.
…
I’m not really supposed to be here…it just feels surreal.
Something interesting at the end of Game 2, Jokic telling Aaron Gordon not to fully rotate off the dunker spot and force Okogie to take a floater...pays quick dividends:
Jokić on his place in Denver sports lore:
“To be honest, I don’t know the history...Nate MacKinnon - he is an all-star by now?...I’m really into hockey right now.”
Longest tenured Nugget. Grinded his way to a starting position in the rebuild. Hit his peak as a player before running into multiple debilitating injuries late in his career.
Lifelong Nuggets fan’s reaction to his downfall:
Imagine you possess truly elite ability in your favorite thing. Everyone tells you you’re destined for success. Then suddenly your body gives out and the doctors say it’s over.
Don’t take this guy for granted.
Bam Adebayo says Nikola Jokic is the hardest player to defend in the NBA
“The thing that I most like about him is like he don’t flop…he not tryna get 16-17 free throws”
(🎥
@theOGsShow
/ )
The Broncos have named Mattress Firm as the team’s official sleep partner.
As part of the multi-year agreement, a Mattress Firm logo will be on the Broncos’ practice jerseys.
Teddy Bridgewater is already wearing it.
I love that Nuggets Twitter has an edge right now. Everyone’s like wow you seem angry. Yes. They are very angry. They want you to hear them. They’re not here to be graceful winners.
This quote is about how insane the crowds are over there. It’s not some veiled threat. They’d be aiming fireworks at the court. The ref would have to leave in a fake mustache and trench coat.
Re: Anthony Davis & Denver -
Checked in with multiple sources this morning - they’re telling me to “stop texting (them) immediately” and “how did you even get this number?”
Will keep you updated.
Box score won’t show it when dust settles but that was one of the best games of MPJ’s career. Only offense they had when they **needed** it. 8 boards. Great defense. Not passable, great.
Steve Kerr on Nikola Jokic's game-winner: "It didn't look like it was going in. When it left his hand it looked long, but obviously, it banked in. But if anybody's going to make it it's him. He's a great, great player."
Do you realize what we just avoided?
We were spared the most insufferable basketball media cycle in history.
This is a win for the United States of America.
Michael Porter Jr. on watching Victor Wembanyama with the Spurs:
“The no. 1 draft pick goes to a team that doesn’t win right away…(tough after winning a lot growing up)
…
“I got to grow into a role without added pressure…That’s a blessing.”
If you were on the championship roster you are a Nuggets legend. It doesn’t matter how long you were here. Doesn’t matter if you played.
Bruce, Ish, Jeff — all Nuggets legends.
A different way to look the at Rui adjustment is the Lakers smelled a potential road win and went for it — showed their hand. Denver gets time to look at it and adjust after a win.
Justin Holiday explained ‘The Fireman’ nickname after practice. Started in college — they used to sub him in on defense if someone was hot. He puts out fires.
Michael Malone just learned this. He loves it.
Christian Braun said at practice that he doesn’t really pay much attention to what position he’s playing if he’s on the floor with Jokić. He just cuts.
Malone on Campazzo:
“I hope he gets a bunch of votes for All-Rookie team. He’s a huge part of what we’re doing and I couldn’t be more proud of Facundo Campazzo from Córdoba.”
Justin Holiday on the Denver Nuggets hitting another gear out of the AS break:
“It’s what I came here for…feeling that intensity…to be able to be a part of that, man, is really fulfilling — really exciting. It kind of makes me believe in the NBA again, if that makes sense.”
We all remember when we realized what Jokić is. We all remember our first argument with a hoops friend about him. The KP debates and so on. You can stop arguing on the internet (If you’d like) for at least a summer.
Congrats to Serbia and Denver. Your first MVP!
Austin Rivers on the support he’s received in DEN:
“I’ve been in the league for 10 years so they knew who I was and what I was capable of…But, no, it’s not normal for that many guys from the get go to accept you. It was such a warm welcome here…beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
My reaction was innapropriate and unnecessarily pointed. I don’t like the way Murray handled that presser but I don’t like how I handled that either. It’s ultimately unserious and I took myself too seriously. That’s my bad.
“One day, the right group will carry this team to the top. One day, NuggLife will evolve from an ironic embracement of basketball-fan nihilism to a badge of honor worn proudly by those who suffered through it all.”
That day is today.
Seeing more and more people outside of Denver call Jokić the best player in the world. It’s not validating, because we knew we were right about him, but it’s amazing to see everyone realize what we’ve been celebrating for so long.
He is an important player in NBA history.
Bones Hyland is preaching now:
“I grew up in a tough environment. I’ve seen everything…that just made me who I am today…I’m not the biggest, or the strongest, but I got the biggest heart…Everybody bleeds like I bleed…that’s just how I am.”
Malone, when asked for a response to the officiating:
“I’ve lost too much money, man. I’m not going to give away my money. I work too hard for that shit.”
Inbox: The NBA has announced that Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone has been named the Western Conference Coach of the Month
Malone wins the award for the first time in his career and becomes the first Nuggets head coach since George Karl in March 2013 to win it.
I love Jokic like a good basketball fan but I can't handle the Nuggets broadcast praising every little thing he does. They would make you think Jokic should get a Nobel Peace prize for tying his shoes.
100% of Nuggets fans expected an absolute banger in response to the Wolves game. Jokić left his body and screamed like it was the finals. MPJ turned into 6’10” lockdown 3 and D beast. Murray had 13 assists. AG was vibing all over the place. Truly a different era.
I talk to every coach pregame. The game plan is to rotate extremely hard of passes from Jokic because his teammates look to score off his passes. My statements are based off talking to NBA COACHES. So be sensitive when I’m speaking IDC. I’m giving you insider info.
Want more?
Jokić joked that none of his teammates have visited Serbia except for Gary. And
@katywinge
pointed out that he needs to invite them first.
“Yeah, but I don’t want them to come to be honest. That’s my place. The people love me. I don’t want someone to come and take my crown.”