Beginning on Thursday, the NBA Finals will feature an unlikely matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, a pairing few would have predicted. What isn’t surprising, however, is the presence of superstar center Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP who continues to dominate with exceptional performances.
While the Nuggets boast a roster full of talent, including the playoff-scoring dynamo Jamal Murray, stopping Jokic is widely regarded as the primary task for any opposing team. Tristan Thompson, a seasoned big man, shared his strategies for defending Jokic during an appearance on ESPN.
Thompson, who spent most of the season out of play before joining the Los Angeles Lakers on the final day of the regular season, found himself unexpectedly playing in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets. Despite the Lakers’ sweep, Thompson successfully managed to slow down Jokic.
Thompson emphasized that limiting Jokic’s impact requires denying him prime post-up position, forcing him off the block, contesting every shot, and fighting for every inch of positioning.
For the Miami Heat, that responsibility will fall on Bam Adebayo, a player consistently considered a contender for Defensive Player of the Year by his teammates, coaches, and himself.
One challenge the Heat face is Adebayo’s 6-foot-9 frame, which pales in comparison to the larger players typically tasked with guarding Jokic. Nonetheless, Miami has long been accustomed to overcoming doubt and adversity.
