{"id":116433,"date":"2024-04-21T14:48:09","date_gmt":"2024-04-21T13:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ballineurope.com\/?p=26273"},"modified":"2024-04-21T14:48:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T13:48:09","slug":"nikola-jokic-impresses-but-he-needs-more-from-his-minions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/21\/nikola-jokic-impresses-but-he-needs-more-from-his-minions\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikola Jokic impresses but he needs more from his minions"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Nikola<\/div>\n

There was a lot to like from Nikola Jokic as the Denver Nuggets defeated the LA Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs. Still, despite Jokic bullying Rui Hachimura, Emmet Ryan felt there were clear areas of improvement for the Nuggets and one slight point of concern<\/em><\/p>\n

When the fourth quarter came along, it was business time for Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. In truth, they never should have been the scrap they found themselves in for much of their win over the LA Lakers<\/p>\n

An ignoble sacrifice<\/h4>\n

The Lakers made an interesting choice in this game. They opted to put Rui Hachimura as the primary defender on Nikola Jokic. It might as well have been a white flag being shown to the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers were happy to give free offensive reign to the best player in the NBA right now in order to target the rest of the Nuggets.<\/p>\n

The decision had somewhat predictable results. Jokic treated Hachimura like a turnstile. Even when the Nuggets trailed by as much as 10 at one stage, this match-up jumped out. Every time Jokic sought battle with Hachimura, the result was inevitable. It was, in short, a poorly executed plan by the Lakers.<\/p>\n

There is merit in such a choice, it\u2019s not entirely foolish. The goal for the Lakers was to increase pressure on the rest of Denver to deliver. For much of the first half, the other Nuggets simply didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n