By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of making history in the NBA as they have secured back-to-back road victories against the Miami Heat in the Finals, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Nikola Jokic has been delivering a playoff performance for the ages, averaging nearly a triple-double and setting numerous records on his path to a championship ring. As the potentially decisive Game 5 approaches, he maintains a calm demeanor, emphasizing that everything is business as usual.
“We are preparing for the match, just as we prepared for the previous four. The focus has been good in training; everyone has been committed and present in training. We haven’t relaxed, which is most important to me because it won’t be good if we relax,” Jokic said at the press conference before the third match of the series in Ball Arena.
During the NBA finals, there was significant discussion surrounding the importance of communication both on and off the court. Nikola Jokic firmly believes that effective communication plays a crucial role in a team’s success.
“Communication means a lot, especially in the playoffs. You can see the plays before, talk about them, know what is coming… From the first game, you can see how we as a team improved in communicating, reading the plays, and knowing when to help or not. We are growing even now in the Finals, getting better with every game, and that’s the first and most important thing on defense.”
Will it be challenging to manage emotions with the championship within reach in the upcoming game?
“It’s not going to be emotional; it’s going to be a job that needs to be done. We are going to be locked in and ready to go. It’s just a game that we need to win.”
“Rajakovic is a great guy and will do a great job”
The Denver Nuggets star also discussed his fellow countryman, Darko Rajakovic, who is on the verge of assuming the head coaching position for the Toronto Raptors.
“I love it. He’s a great guy, and I really appreciate him. He’s been here for a long time, from the G League coach to the head coach in the NBA. There’s a lot of respect for his work, and he deserves it. He has seen and been through a lot and will do a great job there. He’s the second Serbian head coach in the NBA; Igor Kokosov was the first. NBA is growing, and people from the front offices are trying to see that some other guys are willing to step up, and they are going to do a good job,” Nikola Jokic concluded.