Mike Malone defended his superstar Nikola Jokic whose defense has garnered flak lately.
“Hatchet jobs are made about Nikola’s defense,” the Denver Nuggets coach said, according to Nuggets reporter Harrison Wind. The comments come on the back of the team’s blowout 107-88 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
“I don’t know who’s paying some of these people to write these articles. They’re just so one-sided,” Malone further added.
Michael Malone today: "Hatchet jobs are made about Nikola’s defense. I don’t know who’s paying some of these people to write these articles. They’re just so one-sided.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 29, 2023
Irrespective of what the notion is, Malone has time and again been vocal about Jokic’s style of play, and in a way, it does make sense considering the two-time MVP wouldn’t be in contention for the award this season as well if his defense was a bane for the side.
Aaron Gordon Believes Nikola Jokic Is Unstoppable
For all the chatter surrounding Jokic’s defense, there has been firm faith from his teammates that the Serbian is still the best in the business.
One of them was Aaron Gordon, who highlighted Jokic’s dominance this season. “Can’t nobody stop Joker, man,” he said, per the Denver Post.
“I don’t care, Defensive Player of the Year. It doesn’t matter. And he was getting fouled. If you’re not fouling him, you’re not stopping him. And he was fouling him, and he was still getting buckets. They weren’t calling and-1s. He’s ridiculous.”
As far as the offense goes, Jokic has the numbers to show for. He averages 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists this season. And while he has been solid with his defense in patches, there’s no doubt that he will bring in that aspect of the game when the situation demands itself.
Jokic and the Nuggets will play the Phoenix Suns next, followed by another stern test against the Golden State Warriors. At the time of writing, they are table-toppers in the West with a 51-25 record. Only time will tell if they can go the distance.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
