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.
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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.
