Here’s Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on if he’s surprised Nikola Jokic continues to put up amazing performances after Sunday’s 141-111 road win vs. the Atlanta Hawks (48 points/14 rebounds/8 assists/3 steals/17-29 FG/3-6 3-PT/11-13 FT/+25 +/-).
*went for 56 points/16 rebounds/8 assists/1 steal/22-38 FG/3-5 3-PT/9-13 FT vs. the Washington Wizards during a 122-113 road loss the night before while setting career-highs in points and made field goals*
(via Denver Nuggets):
“I can’t say I’m surprised, because I’ve been spoiled to have the best seat in the house to watch this guy for 10 years and to watch him do it night in and night out, second night of a back-to-back. And as much as we put on his shoulders, he never runs from it, he never complains. I love his mental toughness, his physical toughness. We were joking the other day, people say, ‘Oh, Joker’s not in shape.’ You can’t do what he does if you’re not in shape. You really can’t. Is he ever going to win an athletic contest? No. But he has endurance. And what you really marvel at, the 48 (points), the 14 (rebounds), the 8 (assists), is just how efficient he is. He’s not one of those guys that’s putting up huge numbers and is just stat hunting and taking bad shots. He’s doing it all for this team. I feel privileged to have the chance to coach him and watch him every night. I never take it for granted.”
