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The Denver Nuggets managed to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder (124-122) despite missing several key players. Coach Michael Malone's team showed exactly what was needed to secure the win. The 53-year-old coach can be especially grateful to Nikola Jokić, who recorded a triple-double, but Westbrook, along with Brown and Porter, were also impressive.
In a post-game interview, Malone emphasized that the entire team deserved credit for the victory, but he was particularly proud of Jokić, who has consistently proven over the years why he is so highly respected. It’s also worth noting that this was Oklahoma's first loss of the season, which speaks volumes about how focused and cohesive the Nuggets were.
"I give credit to everyone. Russell was great, but it's not always about one person. We got back into the game as a team. Nikola Jokić played one of the most complete games ever. He was the defensive player of the game, he was incredible. Brown showed great confidence, Porter played well... To beat Oklahoma, everyone has to step up, but for a player who's been in the league for 17 years to perform like that, it was incredible," said Malone.
Nikola Jokić caught a lot of attention in the last game, especially with his time-wasting tactics. Malone found it funny and charming, pointing out that the most important thing for the team is not to rush when things are going well. He didn’t forget to mention Payton, who never gave up on his desire to win, even after missing free throws. The team's strength shows in its mental toughness; the ability to keep fighting even when things aren’t going your way. Malone believes this kind of victory will give the team the confidence it needs for what’s to come.
"They score points, but we don't have to rush. Payton missed free throws, but he didn't hang his head, he didn't let the emotions take over. Instead, on the other end, he blocked one of the MVP favorites to secure the win. That's what I love about him; we're proud of him for bouncing back from the free throws and delivering their first loss. He's the one you want on the floor in crunch time. Only in those moments do you truly learn. I wanted to bring Westbrook back in, but the guys were playing well, so I kept that group on the floor. We built some character in this game and boosted our confidence."- Malone continued.
When asked about the plan for Oklahoma City, Malone explained that playing against one of the best defenses in the league isn’t the same as facing a team like Toronto. They were turning the ball over and shooting poorly, which they knew needed to be fixed. At halftime, they decided they needed to run with Oklahoma City, and it paid off; they scored 21 points in transition, which disrupted the Thunder’s offense and took away their points in the paint. They also experimented with defensive strategies like zone, blitzes, and man-to-man coverage. Malone told the team they had nothing to lose and encouraged them to play aggressively, which they did. In the end, the team stuck to the game plan and got the job done.
Michael Malone on Nikola Jokić
Malone reflected on the technical foul he received, which came after a no-call on a foul against Jokić. The experienced coach is fully aware of the importance of players like the seasoned Serbian in his team. He emphasized that no one should forget what Jokić has done for the team; not just for the team, but also for the city and his own family. For Malone, it’s clear that Jokić’s contributions go far beyond just his on-court performance.
“I feel like Nikola is getting beat up and I’ve got to fight. Look at everything Nikola has done for this city, for the franchise, for me, and for my family; I’ll fight for him and for everyone on this team."
He explained how the team responded after the technical foul, saying, "After that, I lit a fire under them, told them to keep fighting and let’s see what happens. I’m proud of how we never gave up, and that’s what champions do."
Malone made it clear that Nikola Jokić is a much better defender than many people give him credit for. He explained that after being with Jokić for ten years, anyone who says he’s not a good defender really doesn’t understand basketball. Malone questioned whether those people were even watching the games properly.
He pointed out that you don’t have to be an incredible athlete to be a good defender; Jokić doesn’t rely on jumping or blocking shots. Instead, what makes him special is his ability to read the game and anticipate plays, something Malone says is the best he’s ever seen.
English (US)