Los Angeles Lakers star Tristan Thompson gave the Miami Heat a first-hand explanation of how to stop Nikola Jokic in the NBA Finals.
Speaking to Richard Jefferson on ESPN’s NBA Today, “Listen, Jokic is the MVP, you’re not gonna be able to stop him. You’ve got to make it tough for him. And for me guarding him, it started meeting him early… Old school bigs, meet him early. Put a body on him… Holding your ground, pushing him off his sweet spot.” He further added: “Every inch counts.”
Tristan Thompson brings his firsthand experience guarding Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals to NBA Today. He has some advice for the Miami Heat: pic.twitter.com/L9UVcCAy56
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 31, 2023
Thompson didn’t play this season until the Lakers signed him on the last day of the regular season, and while he didn’t play a lot of minutes in the postseason, he did spend some time on the floor when the Lakers played the Nuggets in the Conference Finals.
The former Cavaliers star’s advice was fairly simple — curb Jokic from getting a prime post-up position that gives him ample room to shoot. And it shouldn’t be a surprise if that Bam Adebayo is given that responsibility in the series.
Nikola Jokic Doesn’t Believe That The Nuggets Are Favorites Leading Into The NBA Championship
While the Nuggets have dominated so far in the playoffs, Nikola Jokic stressed that the side wasn’t favorites to clinch the championship.
“I think we’re not the favorites,” Nikola Jokic said, via Mark J. Spears of ESPN. “In the Finals, there are no favorites. This is going to be the hardest game of our lives.”
Jokic has always been unabashed about his thoughts, and he knows that the Heat has been gritty and skilled. Even if they are coming off tired legs, the center knows that the Heat are relentless, and the Nuggets will need to be on top of their game.
The Finals start this Thursday at Ball Arena, with the Nuggets set to make a mark and set the tone for the Finals.
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