Nikola Jokic sees only one way to slow Timberwolves bigs

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokic sees only one way to slow down Timberwolves bigs

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 5/5/24

Nikola Jokic may need to call in the reinforcements to help him deal with the three-headed monster in the Minnesota Timberwolves frontcourt.

Jokic and the Denver Nuggets suffered a stunning defeat at home in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against Minnesota on Saturday, falling by a 103-96 final score. It was just the second home playoff loss for Denver in the last two seasons (the only other one being Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat last year).

While Jokic still managed to post 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists Saturday, he was bothered by Minnesota’s frontcourt brigade of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, four-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns and newly minted Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. The trio made it difficult for Jokic on the glass and clogged up his passing lanes. As a result, Jokic finished in single figures in both rebounds and assists for just the 10th time all year (with one of those contests coming when he was ejected mid-game).

After the Game 1 loss, Jokic was asked how he could better deal with the Gobert-Towns-Reid trio going forward in the series.

“To have a duplicate clone of myself,” Jokic hilariously replied.

Here is the clip of the full answer by Jokic.

Reporter: “What’s the adjustment that you can make to them rotating Rudy Gobert, [Karl-Anthony Towns], and [Naz Reid] on you?”

Nikola Jokic: “To have a duplicate clone of myself.” pic.twitter.com/OWQIVcwDFh

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 5, 2024

Jokic’s response was obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the greater point stands – he needs some more help. Denver’s Aaron Gordon dominated the interior all season from the dunker’s spot. But at 6-foot-8, he is not nearly as effective against Minnesota’s gigantor frontline. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-10 Michael Porter Jr. is much more of a perimeter player and the 6-foot-11 DeAndre Jordan (Jokic’s backup), is pretty ancient at this point.

When it comes to cloning himself, Jokic may just be in luck there since he has two older brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, who are even larger than him. But then again, those guys are not professional basketball players.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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