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Nuggets: Takeaways vs. Spurs

By Michael Longhofer

San Antonio Spurs v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets refutes a call by referee JB DeRosa #62 against the San Antonio Spurs at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Getty ID: 923603380
San Antonio Spurs v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets refutes a call by referee JB DeRosa #62 against the San Antonio Spurs at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Getty ID: 923603380 /
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San Antonio Spurs v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets makes contact with Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Getty ID: 923606744
San Antonio Spurs v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets makes contact with Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Getty ID: 923606744 /

Despite the best efforts of the San Antonio Spurs, Nikola was able to notch another outstanding performance, coming away with his third consecutive triple-double.

It looks like Jokic’ decision to disengage from NBA officials and commentary on foul calls is paying dividends for the Nuggets big.  Before his current run, it seemed he could be distracted by his perceived lack of calls.  He seems more focused, more in tune to the flow of the game.

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It may be that, it may be the comfort of consistently playing his natural center position.  Whatever is fueling the Joker’s mid-season surge, he looks unstoppable.

The Nuggets ultimate outlet and safety valve, Nikola slides around the offensive end of the court, always in position to make plays.  He looks to pass first, assesses his drive options, shoots when his shot is available, as referenced yesterday, it is a chess-match and it is something to behold.

He’s also started to find a defensive identity, as several blocks at the rim over the last few games can attest.  He is perfectly suited for the Nugget’s switching defense because his footwork is just so sound.

His okey-doke style and sometimes goofy appearance betray an incredible basketball IQ.  It can be seen in the communication with his teammate, constantly tweaking angles, cuts and avenues to let the big man ply his trade.

His knack for play making is not an accident, consider that it is rare we see Nikola make the same mistakes (pick-and-roll defense being the glaring exception) repeatedly. He learns, in-game, he preys on teams defensive tendencies, he can hit cutters seemingly at-will.

The scary thing about Nikola?  He just turned 23 and he’s improved leaps-and-bounds from even his all-star level run to end last season.  He’s getting better and that should scare the heck out of the rest of the Northwest Division and the NBA.

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