Nikola Jokic says he doesn’t even bear in mind when the Nuggets confronted off in opposition to the Lakers within the 2020 bubble within the Western Convention Finals.
Fortunate for him, as a result of LA went on to win the championship and now its solely two remaining gamers from that title are LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Jokic is anticipating a difficult collection from the new-look staff forward of Tuesday’s Sport 1.
“We didn’t play with this sort of Lakers [team],” Jokic mentioned. “So that is going to be principally a brand new staff for us. Most likely every little thing is new, every little thing is completely different.
“They’re enjoying superb in these playoffs. Since [the trade] deadline, they’re enjoying very well.”
Matching up in opposition to Lakers celebrity Anthony Davis shall be Jokic’s largest problem in these playoffs but and it is going to be an unmissable battle of the bigs.
“AD is a guard in a 7-foot-2 physique,” Denver ahead Aaron Gordon mentioned of Davis. “He is ready to deal with the ball very well, in a position to attract fouls, so you need to be conscientious along with your palms. He can shoot that middy, fadeaway over each shoulders, simply his talent bundle whereas being that massive.”
Jokic has been constructing after he recorded three triple-doubles in his final 4 video games in opposition to Phoenix, whereas averaging 34.5 factors, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists on 59.4 p.c FG capturing.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone believes that Jokic has modified for the reason that bubble yr: “He’s married, he’s a father, he’s matured.”
Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Vlatko Cancar are the remaining gamers from the 2020 Denver staff, which has bolstered its ranks with veterans together with Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and Jeff Inexperienced.
“We’re extra skilled,” Jokic mentioned. “We now have been there earlier than. We’re perhaps just a little bit extra, not centered, [but playing in] completely different environments [than the bubble]. So I feel we’re simply skilled, enjoying just a little bit extra collectively.”
Sport 1 of the Lakers-Nuggets Western Convention Finals collection will happen on Tuesday, Could 16 at 5:30PM PDT, on Jokic’s dwelling court docket.
