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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets becomes frustrated while speaking to Jamal Murray (27) during the second half of the Nuggets’ 116-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, October 29, 2018. The Denver Nuggets hosted the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets becomes frustrated while speaking to Jamal Murray (27) during the second half of the Nuggets’ 116-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, October 29, 2018. The Denver Nuggets hosted the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Nikola Jokić is one of the best big men in the NBA. The Serb had a coming-out party as a superstar last year during the NBA Playoffs.
Jokić was a driving force for the Denver Nuggets as they went to the Western Conference Finals, even beating title-favorites LA Clippers in the process.
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 24: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and Gary Harris (14) double team Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 116-104 win on Sunday, November 24, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Michael Porter Jr. of the Nuggets spoke to the press recently. When asked about Nikola Jokić, Porter Jr. praised the big man heavily, calling him the consummate professional.
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“I really respect Nikola (Jokić) and how he handles himself off the court. No matter if he plays good or bad, he’s always in the weight room after the game.
“He’s always making sure that he gets his recovery in before he leaves the arena. He always makes sure he gets his sleep in. Just so that he’s ready to go the next day.”
Nikola Jokić – A True Leader of The Nuggets
Porter Jr. added that Jokić is one of the most reliable players on the Nuggets and never practices load management like other superstars in the NBA.
“And we can always count on him to be consistent. We know we’re not going to have to wonder if he is going to play certain games due to load (management) or whatever.
“He’s ready to go every day. So I respect that and I would say the best attribute about a player is his availability. He is a guy that is always available.”
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Porter Jr. even rebuffed the criticism that is heaped on Jokić for his consistency. He called him a leader by example. “You know what you’re going to get. I think there was times earlier in his career when he was criticized.
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“‘You don’t know which Joker you’re going to get from night to night’. That is not even a thing anymore. We know what we are going to get from him and what he is going to bring. And he is leading heavily by example.”
Jokić will be an important player for the Nuggets this season as they look to replicate their success from last season. If they can return to the Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets would consider it a massive success.
