Nikola Jokic Reacts To Nuggets Game 1 vs Lakers | May 16, 2023

Nikola, were you at all surprised that they opted to start small? And why do you think you had such an advantage inside, you know, and kind of just forcing your way through their defense? Can you repeat? Were you surprised at all that they started small? I think you had 17, 18 rebounds in the first half as a result. Why do you think you're so impactful inside? I don't know. Our defense was really good. I was just getting there to rebound the ball. I think that's why. And they didn't surprise us. We knew they were going to start Vendo or they're going to start Schroeder. So it was one or another. So they didn't surprise us. Nikola, when you hit that three at the end of the third, AD smiled and you looked like you shrugged at him. What were you thinking at that point? Sometimes luck is on our side. It's a crazy shot, of course. It's not something that I'm working on, but, you know, I'm glad it went in. You told us yesterday you don't have a strategy when you think about, like, should I be more physical or anything like that? You were very aggressive to start the game. What made you see that being aggressive was going to work? It's a playoff. I mean, we need to be aggressive. We need to win a game. So especially in front of home crowd, because they won two game ones. So I think it's being aggressive. It's normal right now. Nikola, just a moment ago, Jamal said that Contavious is one of the most professional teammates he's ever had. As you're making this first playoff run with him on your team, can you just talk about what he brought tonight, what he's brought during these few weeks as you've been on this first postseason with him? I think I answered this question 17 times. KCP is great. He's a champion. He's a winner. He knows what to do. He's a professional. He's a vocal. He's tough. So he knows what his role is. He's doing the best in the world. Nikola, you mentioned how good that defense was early. It kind of disappeared in the second half. What was the biggest difference between what you guys did in the first half and what happened in the second half? I mean, I think we were, I don't know. But it's not just us, it's them too. They're a really good team. They have AD who is playing really, really well. Who they have, LeBron, who is affecting the games in every possible way. Austin Reeves played really well today for them. So Rui played really well for them too. So sometimes the offense beats the defense, I think. Nikola, when they go big and keep Rui in there for a while, how does that kind of change things or make it more difficult? I mean, we saw it before. We saw it against Minnesota. We saw it even in the season. So we were just, I had a couple turnovers. I had a couple turnovers, I missed a shot. So I think it doesn't surprise us, but I think we're going to figure it out because we did it last, I don't know, whenever they did to us. Just going up against Anthony Davis in this series, you guys went one-on-one a lot tonight, a lot of possessions in the post. What's just the challenge in going against a defender that's so skilled defending one-on-one like that? Yeah, he's really, really, really, first of all, talented. He's a role threat. He can play in the pocket. He can play on the post. So he's really, really talented. Probably the most skilled guy if you think about the size and what he can do with the ball and how good midrange or shooter he is and how he is attacking the glass. So I think probably one of the most talented players in the league. Nicola. I didn't answer, but I can answer. Nicola, there was a play as the lead was getting smaller where Michael gets on the floor and digs out a loose ball and goes the other way for a fast break dunk. How important is it for Michael in those situations to just give it his all on the defensive end for you guys? Yes, I mean, he made a big block in the end. Not in the end. I mean, I don't know, four quarter. But yeah, that was a big, big moment. I was there and then ball went off LeBron's leg. Then Mike got it on the floor, got it. Then he was fighting with LeBron for the ball. The ball went in the air. No, KCP took it and he passed to Jamal and Jamal finished, Jamal passed to AJ. Big, big moment. It was three for us and then it was five for us in that moment. So big, big moment. I think that's a play of basketball. Those kind of situation matters a lot. Nicola, it was a big battle between you and AD. But in the last quarter, there was like adjustment and Hachimura go to you. So were you surprised or what can you tell us about that? No, I just answered that question, my friend. Sorry. Coach said it was panic. It was poise, not panic in the fourth quarter. What did you see from your teammates when they were making the big comeback and what impressed you most about your refusal to give in? I mean, it's a playoff. I think it's a normal situation. You know, some team gets on the run and sometimes offense beat defense. Sometimes I think it's normal. But we're going to take a win and take 1-0 for us. So of course, I think we're good. We're getting looks. We get KCP on the 45, the corner three. I miss a mid-range, whatever it was, fade away something. Jamal missed to the mid-range. Then AD got a big offensive rebound and had two free throws. I mean, I think in those situations, in some moments, you cannot think about it. What you're going to do is you just play and you just try to win a game and try to defend the possession or try to score in the possession. Nicole, we know Jamal has been out the last couple of days battling something. Comes up with 31 points. What impressed you most about his night? I mean, he was playing really well. The whole playoffs, I think he's playing amazing. We all know what he brings and the toughness. And of course, maybe he just faked it. He didn't want to practice. Just to get a couple of days off. Nicole, KCP said the only difference between you and LeBron is that he can jump higher than you. Do you feel like your games are similar? That's really offensive. I'm joking. I mean, to be compared with one of the best ever, or the best ever, I think it's really cool. It's really cool. But I don't know. I think we don't have a similar game. Maybe we have a similar global game, if that makes any sense. We affect the game in different ways, but he's a really good player. Nicola, how important is it for you guys to play fast in this series? I mean, we need to defend first so we can play fast. That's the goal, especially because we know how they are good in transition. And that's a big part of their game transition and fast break points. And whenever we have offensive rebounds, we can go. That's the best points we can get. I just got to ask, Nicola, what do you think of Michael Porter's suit tonight? It was good. He's picking it up.