“Reincarnation of Larry Bird”: Nikola Jokic Earns High Praise From Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich

After starting off with two wins, the San Antonio Spurs have suffered back to back losses. Last night they lost to the Denver Nuggets as Michaal Porter Jr and Nikola Jokic went on a rampage. In the postgame interview, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expressed his appreciation for the Nuggets young duo.

Pop said, “Porter is a fine young talent. And Jokic, he’s like a reincarnation of Larry Bird. He does everything. He’s amazing. They were great.”

The Nuggets were missing their three starters in Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Will Barton. So these two took on the additional responsibility. Porter had 30 points and 15 rebounds, becoming the first Nuggets rookie since Dikembe Mutombo to have a 30/15 game. Jokic showed off his elite scoring and playmaking as he scored 25 points and grabbed 11 assists.

Nikola Jokic dubbed the best big man passer

“They’ve never seen anything like that,” Popovich said of his younger players trying to defend Jokic. “He’s stepping out and making 3’s, he’s rebounding the ball, there should be an NBA rule, you can’t tap it to yourself. He’s Moses Malone. You know, he’s down there and he jumps about a quarter of an inch, then he taps it two or three times and then he gets it and he lays it back in.”

“It’s not just luck. He does it all the time. He is great on the board, he’s obviously maybe the best big man passer in the league. If not, then close to it. He’s a pretty special player.”

Jokic has been on a tear in the bubble. In the three games he has played so far, he is averaging 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and nine assists. He may not be very effective on defense but he makes it up with his extra offensive contribution.

Pop is right when he says Jokic is the best big man passer in the league. So far this season, he is averaging seven assists per game. Only Wilt Chamberlain has averaged more assists per game as a center.

He may only be the current best now, but with the way he is progressing, he could overtake Chamberlain, who’s best-ever tally was 8.6 assists per game in the 1967-68 season.

After a defeat against the Heat, the Nuggets have bounced back with two wins. With the Clippers struggling, the Nuggets could potentially be the second seed, if they can continue this good run of form.

They face the Trail Blazers tonight in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semi-final. The Nuggets will hope to avenge that loss and potentially thwart Blazers’ chances to make the playoffs.

Sources:

Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. continues restart surge, but Nikola Jokic truly wows Gregg Popovich in Denver’s win over Spurs

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Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, August 5, 2020