DENVER – The NBA is populated by the world’s greatest athletes, big people who can run faster and jump higher than the laws of nature should allow.
That’s what makes games like Sunday’s so much fun. It’s a reminder that it’s not all about high-flyers and dunk shows. Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokic are dribbling, passing, ground-bound proof.
The two Europeans, one who owns three MVP trophies and the other who has his sights set on winning his first in the near future, play the game with similar skill sets. And another thing they have in common is the ability to befuddle opposing coaches.
“When you talk about the Joker, three-time MVP, he’s the best player in the world,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He puts a lot of pressure on your defense, not just by scoring, but by passing and also getting offensive rebounds and giving his group a second or third opportunity.
“(Guarding him) is a team effort because he’s a quarterback who enjoys throwing to his receivers. And his receivers all run their patterns at 100 percent. (You can’t) just watch Joker when he’s in the post because his ability to pass is one of the best, one of his strengths. They all have the idea they’re going to touch it at some point, so that’s why they cut.”
A perfect example came in the first quarter when Jokic held the ball above his head in his right hand and flipped a pass over the defense to Julian Strawther for a wide-open layup. Jokic did the same thing in the third quarter when the Mavericks sent a double team of Dončić and Daniel Gafford and Jokic found an all-by-his-lonesome Christian Braun for a layup and a 75-74 lead.
Jokic would finish with a gargantuan triple double – 37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists.
“He’s such a smart player,” said Kyrie Irving.
Dončić narrowly missed a triple double of his own with 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Denver coach Michael Malone sounded like an echo of Kidd when talking about Luka. The veteran coach called Dončić “a battering ram” when he gets into the paint. Come to think of it, he sometimes does play like a fullback.
And stopping him is every bit as confounding for coaches like Malone as stopping Jokic is for Kidd.
“With any great player, you have to give them different looks from a personnel standpoint as well as from a game-plan standpoint,” Malone said. “Luka’s seen it all.”
The two superstars put on a show. In the end, Jokic got the most important stat – the victory. And he showed the Mavericks his entire arsenal of tricks.
“He’s seen everything, so I don’t know if we as coaches can say we’re going to throw something new at him because he’s seen it all – smalls, mediums, bigs, double, triple team, solo, make him score,” Kidd said. “So for us, you got to be able to change the pitches to keep him off balance and that’s hard because of his skill set.”
And no matter what pitch you throw, Dončić and Jokic usually knock them out of the park.
Strange sight: Klay Thompson will make his return to the Bay Area on Tuesday when the Mavericks visit the Golden State Warriors.
It will be a nationally televised tribute by the Warriors and the fans that adored Thompson for the first 13 seasons he was in the NBA.
For Malone, who was an assistant coach for the Warriors when Thompson arrived as a rookie out of Washington State, it still gives him eye strain to see the sharpshooter in a different uniform.
“I was there when we drafted him, my two years there before they had the run of success,” Malone said. “To see him in a Dallas uniform seems so foreign. But at the end of the day, you always want what’s best for the player.
“You marvel at his career, coming back from the injuries, you applaud that. You root for guys like that. I’m sure when they play at Golden State, they’ll have a hell of a welcome for him.”
Briefly: Malone said before the game that Russell Westbrook, who had six points, five assists and four rebounds in 20 minutes Sunday, remains a special player. “I’ve been in the league 23, 24 years now and have not come across many Russell Westbrooks,” Malone said. “And it’s not just the energy and effort, it’s the leadership, the edge.” . . . The Mavericks placed all five starters in double figures. They also had all five starters with at least five rebounds . . . Malone had a funny one-liner while talking about his family. “I have two daughters and one of them is like my wife and one of them is like me,” he said. “I feel sorry for her.” . . . The Mavericks continue their road trip Tuesday at Golden State. Full coverage of Klay Thompson’s return starts Monday.
X: @ESefko
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