Sixers’ next steps, Nuggets’ MVP connection and more NBA trends I’m watching
2 months ago

Sixers’ next steps, Nuggets’ MVP connection and more NBA trends I’m watching

New York Times  

A once-hopeful contender is wallowing. Let’s open up the notebook to run through three NBA trends that have caught my eye over the past week: Coping in Philadelphia The most Philadelphian moment in history occurred Tuesday night. Never before has a team used Powell this way, scuttling him around this many screens away from the basketball, and it’s working on the surprising, 23-17 Clippers, who have emerged as one of the NBA’s top defensive squads and score just enough to compete. A unique Jokić partner Russell Westbrook and Jokić are giving defenses whiplash — and not just because of Westbrook’s blazing speed or Jokić’s twisting passes. Yes, Westbrook gets credit for the nifty finish and Jokić for a precise bounce pass, but the basket doesn’t happen without a duo that has mastered timing.

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History of this topic

Nikola Jokic records his 19th triple-double of the season, Nuggets cruise to 144-109 win over 76ers
2 months ago

Nikola Jokic records his 19th triple-double of the season, Nuggets cruise to 144-109 win over 76ers

Associated Press  

DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 19th triple-double of the season, reserve Aaron Gordon was nearly perfect from the floor and the Denver Nuggets beat Philadelphia 144-109 on Tuesday night, extending the 76ers’ losing streak to seven games. Tyrese Maxey had 28 points and 10 assists for a Sixers team that remains …

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic sidelined for game against Celtics due to illness
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic sidelined for game against Celtics due to illness

Associated Press  

DENVER — Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was sidelined for Denver’s clash with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night because of an illness. “He wasn’t feeling great yesterday, and that has only gotten worse today, which is unfortunate,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said before the game. Malone said it’s difficult to insert another player in Jokic’s place …

Joel Embiid and the Sixers are beginning to look like what we thought they’d be
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Joel Embiid and the Sixers are beginning to look like what we thought they’d be

New York Times  

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Joel Embiid is making jumpers, displaying the uncommon outside touch that has defined his career while running pick-and-pop action with Tyrese Maxey, he’s a great offensive basketball player. On Monday night, in a 125-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Embiid’s season-high 37 points, and the way they came provided as strong an indication yet that …

Without Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets have looked alarmingly helpless
4 months ago

Without Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets have looked alarmingly helpless

New York Times  

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you take a superstar away from a team, it is natural to assume that team won’t operate at maximum efficiency, particularly on the offensive end. Still, watching the Denver Nuggets struggle offensively without Nikola Jokić has been alarming, even knowing how much the best player in basketball means to their bottom line. Without Jokić, the Nuggets …

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray had a moment, but the Nuggets are still finding themselves
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray had a moment, but the Nuggets are still finding themselves

New York Times  

TORONTO — It had all the trappings of another play in a long highlight reel of beautiful Nikola Jokić–Jamal Murray moments. With the Nuggets down 2 on Monday, Murray threw an entry pass to Jokić and came screaming around the big man’s back, taking a handoff and forcing a switch from the Toronto Raptors. Murray’s entry pass to Jokić left …

Clippers focusing on how to slow down Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Clippers focusing on how to slow down Nuggets center Nikola Jokic

LA Times  

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, driving the lane while defended by Clippers center Ivica Zubac, averaged nearly a triple-double with 30 points per game, 16 rebounds and 9.7 assists in three games against L.A. last season. “One, just making sure he’s making his passes,” coach Tyronn Lue said after practice Friday. So, Zu just got to stay with it because he’s …

Nuggets’ shooting and depth concerns loom large after opening loss to Thunder
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nuggets’ shooting and depth concerns loom large after opening loss to Thunder

New York Times  

DENVER — For as great a basketball player as he is, Nikola Jokić will never be known as great a media soundbite. All of us are kind of streaky, not streaky, but just average shooters.”#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/bOH2TeRdEv — DNVR Nuggets October 25, 2024 If Denver goes on to win its customary 50-55 games this season, and if the Nuggets go on …

How Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves defense got shredded by Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić
10 months, 1 week ago

How Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves defense got shredded by Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić

New York Times  

DENVER — Rudy Gobert looked helpless out there. A 16-point third quarter 🃏 35 PTS / 5 REB / 12 AST pic.twitter.com/xIaGX1aeAC — Denver Nuggets May 15, 2024 Jokić put up 40 points on 22 shots, racked up 13 assists and did not turn the ball over once in Denver’s 112-97 victory over the Timberwolves that gave the Nuggets a …

Nikola Jokić reminds us why he keeps winning MVPs as the Nuggets remind us they’re still champs
10 months, 1 week ago

Nikola Jokić reminds us why he keeps winning MVPs as the Nuggets remind us they’re still champs

New York Times  

DENVER — There is a classic scene in the classic movie “The Great White Hype” that serves as the perfect metaphor for what the Denver Nuggets are doing to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the first two games of this series, Minnesota threw the overhand right and knocked the Denver Nuggets woozy. After Tuesday night’s 112-97 win in Game 5 over …

Nuggets need to bring more intensity, and it starts with Nikola Jokić
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Nuggets need to bring more intensity, and it starts with Nikola Jokić

New York Times  

DENVER — A few minutes after seeing their season reach a brink nobody could have anticipated, the Denver Nuggets sat in their respective locker room stalls and allowed an overwhelming silence to speak for them. It wasn’t that the Nuggets shot 34.9 percent from the field or had as many turnovers as assists, despite the absence of likely Defensive Player …

The genius of Nikola Jokić and how he and Nuggets make it look easy
1 year ago

The genius of Nikola Jokić and how he and Nuggets make it look easy

New York Times  

Nikola Jokić is a genius. Aaron Gordon’s, Jamal Murray’s and the Nuggets’ ability to read and play off Jokić puts them over the top. Jokić sees that the paint is wide open and makes eye contact with Gordon, who slips the screen and receives a perfectly placed behind-the-back pass off the dribble. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver gets Jerami …

Jokic, Nuggets fend off gritty 76ers 111-105 as Embiid sits out for 4th consecutive time in Denver
1 year, 1 month ago

Jokic, Nuggets fend off gritty 76ers 111-105 as Embiid sits out for 4th consecutive time in Denver

Associated Press  

DENVER — This matinee was no marquee, not with one of its co-stars missing again. The Denver Nuggets fended off the gritty, short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 111-105 on Saturday behind 26 points and 16 rebounds from Nikole Jokic, who was again denied his rematch with fellow MVP contender Joel Embiid. Embiid is averaging 36 points and 11.4 rebounds, and Malone said …

Nikola Jokić, Nuggets fall short against Joel Embiid, Sixers in marquee matchup
1 year, 2 months ago

Nikola Jokić, Nuggets fall short against Joel Embiid, Sixers in marquee matchup

New York Times  

PHILADELPHIA — On a night when the Denver Nuggets suffered a 126-121 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, the league won. Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić, two of the best players in the league, went against one another as a mundane Tuesday night NBA game in January turned into an event. “They are two great players, and those …

Post-Harden Sixers shed the bad vibes
1 year, 4 months ago

Post-Harden Sixers shed the bad vibes

China Daily  

Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid get pumped up during the Philadelphia 76ers' victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Embiid had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Maxey had 25 points and nine assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to their sixth straight win, 106-103, over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Jayson Tatum's 3-pointer pulled the Celtics to 94-87 …

Lakers’ late rally falls short in season-opening loss to the Nuggets
1 year, 4 months ago

Lakers’ late rally falls short in season-opening loss to the Nuggets

LA Times  

Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James try to trap Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during their season-opening game Tuesday night in Denver. When Nuggets coach Mike Malone went on a podcast over the summer and said, “Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know, this is breaking news, I’m thinking about retiring, so don’t tell anybody,” …

Hollinger: James Harden, Damian Lillard could define limits of NBA player empowerment
1 year, 7 months ago

Hollinger: James Harden, Damian Lillard could define limits of NBA player empowerment

New York Times  

Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sept. 27th in a three-team trade. That’s what I’m wondering as the Damian Lillard and James Harden situations drag on into extended standoffs between player and team, with no sign of resolutions anytime soon. Lillard signed a two-year, $122 million extension with Portland in July 2022; he could be an unrestricted …

Thompson: Welcome to the Nikola Jokić era and the new evolution of the NBA
1 year, 9 months ago

Thompson: Welcome to the Nikola Jokić era and the new evolution of the NBA

New York Times  

DENVER — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope soared in to grab the rebound from Kyle Lowry’s last gasp 3-point attempt Monday night and immediately dribbled to an open space. As the packed crowd of Ball Arena absorbed the awe of Denver’s first-ever NBA championship, Jokić made his way down the Heat’s bench, shaking the hands of his defeated foes. Why these Nuggets are …

Serbia's superstars courting history
1 year, 9 months ago

Serbia's superstars courting history

China Daily  

Novak Djokovic celebrates his quarterfinal victory over Karen Khachanov at the French Open in Paris on Tuesday. A Serbian sweep — at the French Open and in the NBA Finals — would give Djokovic a record-setting 23rd Grand Slam; it would give both Jokic and Denver their first NBA championship. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic gestures to fans following his …

Jokic leads Denver Nuggets past LeBron’s Lakers 113-111, into their first NBA Finals
1 year, 9 months ago

Jokic leads Denver Nuggets past LeBron’s Lakers 113-111, into their first NBA Finals

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Nikola Jokic is a player unlike almost anything the NBA has ever seen, and now he’s taking his Denver Nuggets somewhere they’ve never been. Jamal Murray scored 25 points for the top-seeded Nuggets, who overcame LeBron James’ 31-point first half and a 15-point halftime deficit with a tenacious finish in Game 4 to earn their first conference …

Thompson: The ridiculousness of Nikola Jokić illustrated in a single shot
1 year, 10 months ago

Thompson: The ridiculousness of Nikola Jokić illustrated in a single shot

New York Times  

This particular inquiry into Nikola Jokić, following his Nuggets’ sweep of the Lakers, pointed to a specific play yet was also ontological in nature. “I’m gonna say that’s my signature shot.” It’s a crazy thought, a stepback 3 as his signature shot — considering Jokić is 6-foot-11 and 285 pounds of Serbian flesh who has feasted in the paint for …

Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray still have work to do after Nuggets reach NBA Finals
1 year, 10 months ago

Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray still have work to do after Nuggets reach NBA Finals

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — Aaron Gordon didn’t quite know what to do with himself when the final buzzer sounded. Are we sure we don’t have another quarter to play or another game to play?’ Then it’s like, ‘Oh no, we won.’ It’s time to get up out of there.” On Monday night, the Nuggets team that from Day 1 separated itself …

Nikola Jokic is again too big of a hurdle for Lakers to clear in Game 4
1 year, 10 months ago

Nikola Jokic is again too big of a hurdle for Lakers to clear in Game 4

LA Times  

In the end, Lakers big man Anthony Davis was outdueled by Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, and that made the difference in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Monday night. When asked what Jokic proved to him in the series, Lakers star LeBron James, who played all but 4.3 seconds of the game, said, “Nothing.” “I know how …

Even when Nikola Jokić is dominant, doubts remain — but there should be no doubting his greatness anymore
1 year, 10 months ago

Even when Nikola Jokić is dominant, doubts remain — but there should be no doubting his greatness anymore

New York Times  

DENVER — The Nikola Jokić experience is never complete without a healthy dose of skepticism from someone with a media platform, so it came as no surprise that one of his longtime critics, FS1’s Nick Wright, was ready to scoff on social media just as Denver’s 132-126 Game 1 win over the Lakers came to an end in the West …

Watch- Nikola Jokic becomes part of confrontation with Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant, days after getting fined $25,000
1 year, 10 months ago

Watch- Nikola Jokic becomes part of confrontation with Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant, days after getting fined $25,000

Hindustan Times  

Days after being fined $25,000 for ‘shoving’ incident with Phoenix Suns owner, Nikola Jokic became part of a confrontation during game 5 of the conference semifinals between Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant pushes Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the third quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. …

Rampant Jokic eclipses Suns
1 year, 10 months ago

Rampant Jokic eclipses Suns

China Daily  

Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds on the eve of the NBA MVP announcement to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. "I love an aggressive Nikola Jokic," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Jokic knocked down …

Rampant Jokic eclipses Suns
1 year, 10 months ago

Rampant Jokic eclipses Suns

China Daily  

Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds on the eve of the NBA MVP announcement to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. "I love an aggressive Nikola Jokic," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Jokic knocked down …

76ers’ Embiid sitting out showdown with Nuggets’ Jokic
1 year, 11 months ago

76ers’ Embiid sitting out showdown with Nuggets’ Jokic

Associated Press  

The showdown between MVP front-runners fizzled Monday when Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid was ruled out against the Nuggets and star Nikola Jokic because of a sore right calf. We want to get him and the whole team healthy for the playoffs.” Asked if he wishes he’d have held Embiid out of one of those games so he could …

NBA 2023: Nikola Jokic Leads Denver Nuggets Over Miami Heat, Mitchell Sparks Cleveland Cavaliers
2 years, 1 month ago

NBA 2023: Nikola Jokic Leads Denver Nuggets Over Miami Heat, Mitchell Sparks Cleveland Cavaliers

News 18  

Nikola Jokic narrowly missed out on his 21st triple double of the season as the Denver Nuggets battled to a 112-108 road victory over the Miami Heat on Monday. While Jokic led the scoring, Denver’s balanced offense spread the points around with seven players finishing in double figures and sharing 34 assists between them. Jimmy Butler led Miami’s scorers with …

NBA: Joel Embiid powers streaking Sixers past Nuggets
2 years, 1 month ago

NBA: Joel Embiid powers streaking Sixers past Nuggets

The Hindu  

Joel Embiid had 47 points and 18 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer with 29.2 seconds remaining, to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Denver Nuggets 126-119 on Saturday. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was whistled for a technical foul with 4:29 remaining. Sixers head coach Doc Rivers also received a technical foul soon after. But the Sixers closed within …

Joel Embiid outplays Nikola Jokić in battle of MVP front-runners as Sixers beat Nuggets
2 years, 1 month ago

Joel Embiid outplays Nikola Jokić in battle of MVP front-runners as Sixers beat Nuggets

New York Times  

If actions truly do speak louder than words, there was little mistaking how much Saturday’s game meant to Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid. That triple represented Embiid’s 45th, 46th and 47th points of the afternoon as the Sixers beat the Denver Nuggets 126-119 for their seventh straight win. That was huge.” Embiid often says that he can’t win alone, and …

Nikola Jokić is amazing (again), but Jamal Murray’s journey is key for Nuggets’ title hopes
2 years, 2 months ago

Nikola Jokić is amazing (again), but Jamal Murray’s journey is key for Nuggets’ title hopes

New York Times  

DENVER — If all you heard were Jamal Murray’s postgame pontifications on Wednesday night, when the Denver Nuggets guard who spent all of last season recovering from a torn ACL hit big shots down the stretch in a 122-118 win over Minnesota, you might think his confidence was at an all-time high. Two nights later against Indiana, when Jokić didn’t …

Nuggets want to win it all for Nikola Jokić, and better defense is the only way: Amick
2 years, 2 months ago

Nuggets want to win it all for Nikola Jokić, and better defense is the only way: Amick

New York Times  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — You know how you can tell the Denver Nuggets didn’t live up to the lofty expectations of their longtime coach, Michael Malone? “First bus is leaving in three minutes!,” a member of the team’s support staff shouted not long after Malone’s team blew a 19-point lead in a 127-126 loss to the Kings on Wednesday night at …

Nuggets big man Jokic rises from 41st pick to 2-time NBA MVP
2 years, 10 months ago

Nuggets big man Jokic rises from 41st pick to 2-time NBA MVP

Associated Press  

DENVER — To think, Nikola Jokic’s entry into the NBA was once overshadowed by the introduction of the “quesarito.” “Hopefully, I’m going to have some percentage from Taco Bell,” joked the Denver Nuggets’ newly minted two-time MVP, whose name scrolled across the TV screen during the 2014 draft while the fast-food chain aired a commercial for its new product. Hopefully, …

LeBron-less Lakers lose to Nuggets; play-in hopes fading fast
2 years, 11 months ago

LeBron-less Lakers lose to Nuggets; play-in hopes fading fast

LA Times  

Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic battle for a rebound during the fourth quarter Sunday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. LeBron James was on the bench, Anthony Davis was limping all over the court and the Lakers’ chances to extend this season continued to hang by the most fragile threads — the font getting bigger and bolder each …

In Joel Embiid-Nikola Jokic clash, Nuggets edge Sixers as Philly’s defense and bench struggle
3 years ago

In Joel Embiid-Nikola Jokic clash, Nuggets edge Sixers as Philly’s defense and bench struggle

New York Times  

Sixers center Joel Embiid was asked a question after Monday night’s game, one based on the obvious pregame storyline: Did he feel like he proved anything by scoring 34 points against Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets on Monday night? James Harden on the Sixers’ porous transition defense: “We got to get our ass back on defense. It’s really hurt us… …

Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle and other stars with most to gain (or lose) in this year’s NBA playoffs
3 years, 10 months ago

Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle and other stars with most to gain (or lose) in this year’s NBA playoffs

New York Times  

With one of the oddest regular seasons in NBA history behind us, our focus can turn fully to the playoffs. I’ll quote what I wrote about the importance of playoff success — both team but also individual ability to produce in a postseason environment — in introducing the Player Tiers Project last offseason: We might be approaching our second decade …

The rewind: In Game 1, Raptors give the Sixers a ‘reality stick’ in Toronto
5 years, 10 months ago

The rewind: In Game 1, Raptors give the Sixers a ‘reality stick’ in Toronto

New York Times  

TORONTO — In all fairness to Tobias Harris, it really did appear that there was a path to the basket. Just like in their first-round series, the Sixers were handed what Brett Brown called “a reality stick.” “You go back to the drawing board, figure it out, come practice tomorrow, come to the film session, we’ll talk about what we …

The inside story of the lineup decision two years ago that changed the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise
6 years, 3 months ago

The inside story of the lineup decision two years ago that changed the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise

New York Times  

Months before he made the decision that helped change the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise, Michael Malone began conducting an experiment inside a largely empty NBA arena. “We figured, ‘Hey, let’s try a couple things and see how it looks.’ One of those things was trying Jusuf and Nikola together, big ball, which the NBA was going away from,” Malone …

Sixers-Hawks report card: Grading Simmons' big night, Fultz's play, Covington's steady defense and more
6 years, 4 months ago

Sixers-Hawks report card: Grading Simmons' big night, Fultz's play, Covington's steady defense and more

New York Times  

As​​​​​ we​​​​​​ always​ post​​​​​ in​ our​​​​​​ app,​​​​​​​ here​​​​​​ are​ grades​​​​​​​​ and​​​​​ breakdowns​ for​​​​​​ each​​​​​ Sixers​​ player’s​​​​​​​​​​ performance in the team’s 113-92 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Markelle Fultz : 3 stars Another game, another baby step forward for Fultz’s confidence. It should be noted that this performance was not definitively good — Fultz was 1-8 on shots outside of 10 …

Sixers Likes and Dislikes: Robert Covington's defense, Ben Simmons' finishing and brief glimpses from Markelle Fultz
6 years, 4 months ago

Sixers Likes and Dislikes: Robert Covington's defense, Ben Simmons' finishing and brief glimpses from Markelle Fultz

New York Times  

Through the early part of the Sixers season a number of trends have started to pop up, from the team’s struggles to get on the same page with its switch-heavy scheme — leading to unexpected struggles on that end of the court — to dominance from Joel Embiid and our first glimpses of Markelle Fultz’s return to action. We return …

The LeBron meeting, and other Sixers leftovers from Josh Harris and Brett Brown’s summer league update
6 years, 8 months ago

The LeBron meeting, and other Sixers leftovers from Josh Harris and Brett Brown’s summer league update

New York Times  

LAS VEGAS — Over the past 24 hours, we have touched on two of the larger subjects addressed by Josh Harris and Brett Brown during their impromptu roundtable at the NBA summer league — that would be the complicated general manager search and how the star hunting will continue, perhaps with Kawhi Leonard — but you know, they talked about …

What are the Sixers' weaknesses, and which second-tier free agents can fix them?
6 years, 8 months ago

What are the Sixers' weaknesses, and which second-tier free agents can fix them?

New York Times  

These two things are both true: the Sixers should have won more than one game against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals and the Celtics exposed some severe and fundamental weaknesses in the Sixers’ roster that need fixing. No player on the Sixers’ roster last year could, for lack of more nuanced terms, both shoot and handle the ball. …

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