By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a zoom interview with reporters a day before the Denver Nuggets‘ first scrimmage game in Orlando, Nikola Jokic said that his favorite position is playing anything other than a center.
Jokic made the statement in one of his usual half-serious, half-joking tones, but he is indeed one of those players who thrive on carrying a positionless role on the court. Maybe he knew something specific ahead of the game.
In the Nuggets‘ scrimmage against the Washington Wizards, Jokic got his wish granted and then some by becoming the point guard (you read that right) in the team’s starting lineup. He actually appeared first on the left in the picture of Denver’s starting squad that also featured Jerami Grant, Paul Milsap, Bol Bol (as a “3”) and Mason Plumlee. An average height of 2.09 meters.
Omfg pic.twitter.com/wGeLcX1gxK
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) July 22, 2020
He had called it. “It’s going to be for other guys to see how tough, how hard it is to play some other position. I think it’s going to be fun.”
And fun it was, especially for Bol Bol who became the main attraction of the game. The rookie scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked his opponents six times in his debut with the team as Denver prevailed 89 – 82 over the Wizards.
Jokic himself finished with a diverse contribution of 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists but also committed eight turnovers. “Hopefully we’re not going to have many mistakes,” he mentioned prior to the game, an expectation that didn’t come true.
Despite his turnovers, Jokic delivered some of his classic crafty passes. Like this splendid feed to Bol.
Bol's first NBA bucket! #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/hWTZpxF4Xz
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 22, 2020
This would’ve probably counted as a Jokic assist too if Bol didn’t travel
Good pass by Jokic to a wide open Bol but a travel by Bol. pic.twitter.com/nULlPpsXCr
— Alex ? ?⚪️?. (@Dubs408) July 22, 2020
He also delivered a pretty vivid reaction after one of his turnovers, a full-court pass gone wrong.
Jokic’s reaction to this turnover ? pic.twitter.com/j618y8oPYF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2020
Jokic and the Nuggets’ next scrimmage is against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.