05 June 2023 , 12:39
1133
0
Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra hit back at "ridiculous" notions from "untrained eyes" on how his team can contain Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
Fresh off the Heat levelling the NBA Finals at 1-1 with a 111-108 win on Sunday night, when Jokic racked up 41 points and 11 rebounds but only a post-season low four assists, Spoelstra was asked by a reporter if the key to overcoming the two-time MVP is to "turn him into a scorer or a passer".
Jokic has been in incredible form throughout the playoffs with nine triple-doubles showing his elite abilities as a scorer, creator and defender, and Spoelstra quickly rubbished the suggestion the Serb's brilliance can be curbed so simply.
"That's ridiculous... That's the untrained eye that says something like that," Spoelstra replied. "This guy is an incredible player. Twice in two seasons, he's been the best player on this planet.
"You can't just say 'Oh, make him a scorer'. That's not how they play, they have so many different actions that just get you compromised.
LeBron James edges closer to NBA scoring record with jaw-dropping Lakers display
"We have to focus on what we do. We try to do things the hard way and he requires you to do many things the hard way and he has our full respect."
Miami's success in the playoffs has spoken volumes of Spoelstra's coaching ability. The Heat have risen from the eight-seed to overcome top contenders the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks along the way, as well as the New York Knicks.
The 52-year-old is chasing his third ring after winning a pair of NBA titles in 2012-13 with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and co, but he was quick to praise his players for their fairytale run to the Finals.
Nikola Jokic scored 41 points but his creativity was curbed by the Heat. (Getty)"We faced a lot of adversity during the season," Spoelstra said. "We handled it the right way where you are not making excuses about it, the injuries, the changing lineups. Because of all that adversity and the 57 close games that happened, due to a lot of that, it hardened us. It steeled us, and we developed some grit, which is what we all want.
"We want to be able to have that privilege of having adversity and being able to overcome it. You gain strength from that. But this is a very tough opponent. They have our full respect, for sure."
After sharing the spoils in Denver, the series turns to Miami with game three at Kaseya Center on Wednesday evening, where the Heat will hope to continue their fine form on home court.
Spoelstra's options could also be bolstered by the return of Tyler Herro from a broken hand. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has missed six weeks of action after being injured in the first round against the Bucks and the 23-year-old is hopeful of making a return to the floor in game three, which would add another significant scoring threat to the rotation after averaging 20 points per game in the regular season.