Coach fires back at Nikola Jokic claims as he passes NBA royalty with new record
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone believes Nikola Jokic's greatness is being "taken for granted" after he moved past NBA royalty in the record books on Tuesday.
The two-time MVP continued his scintillating form with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks in a 118-102 drubbing of the Phoenix Suns in Game Five at Ball Arena to give the Nuggets a 3-2 series lead, putting them within one win of the Western Conference finals.
It was Jokic's 10th career play-off triple-double, making him the leading center in NBA history ahead of the great Wilt Chamberlain and giving him the perfect response to a $25,000 fine following his sideline clash with Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
The Serb narrowly missed out in his bid for a third straight MVP title to Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, but Jokic has continued his dominant form into the post-season, exploding for 53 points in defeat in Game Four on Sunday.
Despite his massive impact for the Nuggets on the floor, Malone believes Jokic does not get the credit he deserves, with Suns star Devin Booker getting more attention for his contributions in a tightly-fought series.
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The Nuggets' head coach took the chance to poke fun at the big man's critics in his post-game press conference.
"Again?" Malone joked after being told Jokic had surpassed Chamberlain for playoff triple-doubles. "Making a habit of this. Must be stat-padding."
"He's a guy that literally will just read the game and take what the game offers. And in this series, everyone's talking about Devin Booker, rightfully so. The performances he's put on in the first round against the Clippers, against us, have been just spectacular.
"But I think sometimes we maybe take Nikola for granted because what he is doing is just incredible.
"He makes everyone around him better. Never gets rattled. 'Cool Hand Luke.' And we're just so thankful that he's a Denver Nugget."
The Nuggets hope this is finally the year they end their wait to make the NBA finals and they are on course to book a clash with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers – if they capitalise on their 3-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors – to decide who is best in the West.
Jokic is now behind only James, Magic Johnson, Russell Westbrook and Jason Kidd for all-time most pla-yoff triple-doubles, but he insisted he is not bothered about stats; he just wants to win.
"I mean, to be honest, I just like to win the game," Johe told ESPN when asked about his record-breaking night "So whatever it takes. I open the game today, I think really badly, maybe I was forcing it.
"And then I just slow it down, relax and let the game come to me. It'll come to me and that happens."
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