“If we are collectively very good, then I am very good too”

Nikola Jokic, who excelled with a triple-double in the first game of the Final, assured on Saturday that his good performance, especially in defense, mainly depends on the entire Denver Nuggets team working at a high level.

“If we are collectively really good, then I am really good. But if we collectively are not, then neither am I,” he said at a press conference.

The Nuggets signed a stellar debut in the first Finals in their history this Thursday, authoritatively subduing the Miami Heat to take advantage of the battle for the NBA ring (104-93, 1-0 in the series).

Jokic sealed a stellar triple-double (27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists on 8 of 12 shots) in a Nuggets winning 24 points in the third period to leave the Heat with just 63 points in the first three quarters. they relaxed excessively in the last fifteen minutes without really jeopardizing their victory.

The Serbian genius, as his coach Mike Malone noted this Saturday, admitted that his team lacked regularity, especially in that fourth period.

“Some possessions we played great and others we didn’t play well. Some quarters we played really well. I think that’s basketball. Therefore it is alive. You can’t predict what’s going to happen,” he said.

The pivot felt that they needed to be “focused for 48 minutes” in the second game, especially against some Heat who was “off their guard”.

“They always play the same rhythm. I think that’s why they are very good,” he said.

Jokic also referenced his defense against Bam Adebayo, who led the Heat in the first game with 26 points (13-of-25 shooting), 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

“The shots he took were pretty easy shots for him. I have to improve a bit to make him feel uncomfortable,” he admitted.

Next Sunday, the second game will be played in Denver before the series moves to Miami, where the third and fourth games will be played on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.