Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from big Game 7 win vs. Spurs
1. Nikola Jokic played like a star
Heading into this series, Nikola Jokic was unquestionably viewed as its best player, giving Denver a leg up on its opponent. A first-time All-Star, he could score 20 points just as easily as he could dish out 10 assists — all of this while operating as a lumbering and unassuming seven-footer in an era of super athletes.
In Game 7, Jokic played like the best guy on either squad. Triple-doubles seem more commonplace in today’s NBA, but they are still very difficult to pull off, especially in a game of such pressure and magnitude.
Jokic became the first player since LeBron James in the 2016 NBA Finals to register a Game 7 triple-double. He also chipped in three big blocks in 43 minutes of action, doing seemingly whatever it took in the biggest game of his young career.
Nikola Jokic led the @nuggets in Game 7 win with 21 PTS, 15 REB, and 10 AST. The only other NBA player to match or exceed all of those totals in a Game 7 was James Worthy on June 21, 1988 (36 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST). pic.twitter.com/Lj4i7mx4Kc
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 28, 2019
For all the talk throughout the postseason about schemes at both ends and X’s and O’s, these games more often than not come down to talent. Those with the best players usually tend to filter out with each passing round. That’s just how the league has always seemed to operate.
Damian Lillard may have a leg up on Jokic in this upcoming battle between two small-market organizations, but the Joker is no scrub of his own. His ability to do a number of things at the offensive end makes him tough to plan for.
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With some postseason experience now firmly in his back pocket, Jokic likely has a firmer grasp on what exactly separates the playoffs from the regular season. Given how well he still managed to play with that steep learning curve in round one, the Blazers should be very concerned about the type of play that is sure to come.